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Nick Chapman
LLB BA(Hons) LLM(Dist)(UCL) • Wellington
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Nick is a senior litigation and dispute resolution lawyer with a broad range of experience in dealing with complex, high-stakes disputes across different sectors. He has a particular focus on commercial disputes that involve public issues - whether that is commercial entities that are interacting with public decision-makers or public entities that are involved in a commercial dispute.
Nick has acted for various organisations across a broad range of disputes and industries, including commercial contracts, energy and the Emissions Trading Scheme, property and leasing issues, judicial reviews, infrastructure, insurance disputes, insolvency, class actions, banking and financial services, telecommunications and technology, and construction disputes. He has appeared before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He also has considerable experience in arbitration, and in alternative dispute resolution forums such as mediation.
Nick is known for his ability to simplify complex issues, and for his ability to provide clear advice. His clients say:
“Nick is a consummate professional who goes above and beyond to service client’s needs. Importantly he is responsive and above all, on your ‘team’. I can’t speak highly enough of Nick and the team that support him.”
Prior to joining Simpson Grierson, Nick worked for Herbert Smith Freehills and Allen & Overy in London.
Nick is also an Adjunct Lecturer and Teaching Fellow at Victoria University’s Faculty of Law. He currently teaches the University’s compulsory course on the core skills of legal research, legal writing, legal analysis, and advocacy.
Work Highlights
Acting for a major local authority in an arbitration brought against its former insurance broker. The claim - valued at more than $300 million - alleged that the broker had breached various contractual and tortious duties by obtaining an inadequate type of insurance cover.
Representing four major forestry industry bodies in proceedings challenging charges imposed by the Government on forestry participants in the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Acting for a large regional authority in a wide-ranging dispute in respect of a major public infrastructure services contract.
Acting for the Fire Service in a successful appeal to the Supreme Court questioning the legality of insurance arrangements that sought to minimise a levy that would otherwise be payable under the Fire Service Act 1975.
Representing a corporate trustee company in proceedings before the Court of Appeal that successfully sought to reconcile competing statutory provisions as to the entitlements of KiwiSaver members upon bankruptcy.
Providing strategic advice and representing telecommunications company Dense Air in its negotiations with the Government, in order to secure in-principle spectrum access management rights for the delivery of 5G services.
Representing a large energy company in proceedings seeking a US$1.3 billion payment under a construction ‘all risks’ insurance policy, arising as a result of the failed construction of an offshore oil platform in the North Sea.
Advising a heavy lifting transport and logistics company in relation to a €70 million claim on a warranty and indemnity insurance policy following the purchase of a rival company.
Various high-profile commercial and regulatory disputes as part of an eleven-month secondment with O2, the second-largest mobile network operator in the United Kingdom.
