Simpson Grierson - Nick Chapman

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. He is able to help clients in difficult situations, to advocate on their behalf, and to achieve outcomes best suited to their individual circumstances.

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 brokers. The claim – valued at more than $300 million – alleged that the brokers had breached various contractual and tortious duties by obtaining an inadequate type of insurance cover.

Providing strategic advice and representation to 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.

Acting for a large state-owned organisation in the United Kingdom in relation to a class action valued at £210 million brought by claimants alleging they had suffered losses as a result of the organisation’s IT systems.

Defending the Royal Bank of Scotland and its former directors in a £4 billion prospectus liability class action brought by large groups of investors.

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.

Advising a large inter-dealer broker of financial instruments in relation to simultaneous market abuse investigations by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority.

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.

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.