Nick Chapman
LLB BA(Hons) LLM(Dist)(UCL) • Wellington
Nick has a broad range of experience in dealing with complex, high-stakes disputes across a range of different sectors.
He has a particular focus on commercial disputes, insurance issues, insolvency, class actions, banking/financial services, public law, telecommunications and technology, judicial review, energy, and property and construction disputes. He has appeared before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Prior to joining Simpson Grierson, Nick worked for Herbert Smith Freehills and Allen & Overy in London.
Nick is able to simplify complex issues, and provides clear and practical strategic advice to his clients.
Nick is also an Adjunct Lecturer and Teaching Fellow at Victoria University’s Faculty of Law.
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.