Les Taylor

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  • Les Taylor is a highly experienced trial and appellate advocate. He has practised as a commercial litigator for over 25 years at all levels including the Privy Council and two Supreme Court of New Zealand appeals.

    Les has acted extensively for insurers (QBE, Vero, Lumley) advising on indemnity issues and defending insured claims including professional indemnity (solicitors, accountants, valuers, engineers and architects), public liability (building contractors, local authorities), Directors and Officers liability and statutory liability (Occupational Safety and Health prosecutions). He also has considerable experience in:

    • construction law (NZ counsel for contractor joint venture for construction of 9 km hydro tunnel, defence of various "leaky building" claims)
    • environment law (recently acted as counsel on two Environment Court appeals)
    • employment law (various Employment Court appeals and Authority appearances and counsel for CTU in Supreme Court)
    • shipping law (recent successful defence of wrongful arrest claim for $5m. Currently acting for Gisborne District Council in respect of claims arising from the grounding of the Jody F Millennium)
    • energy law (has acted in various arbitrations and cases involving joint venture disputes in the oil and gas production industry)
    • Commerce Act and Securities Act issues.

    Les has extensive experience in negotiation and settlement of claims and has been involved in numerous mediations (as counsel and as a mediator).

  • Areas of Practice
    • Commercial litigation
    • Insurance law
    • Construction law
    • Commerce Act and Securities Act
    • Maritime law
    • Banking litigation
    • Environment law
    • Employment Law
  • Admission to Bar
    • 1982
  • Academic Qualifications
    • LLB (Hons), University of Canterbury 1980
  • Professional Career
    • 2002 - 2007 Litigation Partner, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, New Zealand
    • 1999 - 2001 Barrister sole, New Zealand
    • 1987 - 1999 Litigation Partner, Bell Gully, New Zealand
    • 1981 - 1987 Solicitor, Bell Gully, New Zealand
  • Recent Cases
    • Gilbert v Shanahan Partners (Solicitors Negligence/Fiduciary Duty and Limitation Act, High Court and Court of Appeal)
    • Richmond Ltd v PPCS Ltd and Hawkes Bay Meat Ltd (Securities Act, Companies Act, High Court)
    • New Zealand Oil & Gas Ltd v Greymouth Petroleum Ltd (joint Venture dispute. High Court)
    • Murray & Ors v Morel & Ors (Securities Act and Limitation Act issues, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court)
    • Clapperton v Orion New Zealand (contract, tort, Limitation Act Issues, High Court, Court of Appeal)
    • Todd Petroleum Mining Company Ltd v Shell (Petroleum Mining) Company Ltd & Ors (Interpretation of Joint Venture Agreement, High Court and Court of Appeal)
    • Harley v McDonald (Solicitors liability for costs, Privy Council)
    • Todd Energy Ltd v Taranaki District Council and Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd (Environment Court appeal re consents for proposed dual fuel energy centre)
    • Ocean Towing & Salvage (Vanuatu) Ltd v Custom Fleet (NZ) Ltd (Alleged wrongful arrest of ship, High Court)
    • Equable Life Resorts Ltd v Monte Vista RVS Ltd and Trustees Executors Ltd (Securities Act, Retirement Village)
    • Todd Pohokura Ltd v Shell Exploration NZ Ltd and OMV New Zealand Ltd (Interpretation of JV Agreement, Commerce Act - ongoing)
    • Bendall v Marshall & Ors (Minority shareholders' claim. Companies Act, High Court)
    • J J Geddes & Ors v Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd & Ors (Tort, Fair Trading Act, Court of Appeal)
    • Twin Bright Shipping Co S.A. (Jody F Millenium) and anor v Tauwhareparae Farms Limited & Ors (statutory duty,duty of care,High Court (on appeal) )
  • Client & Directory Comments
    • "Les is a practical, no-nonsense commercial lawyer with very good people skills. He is able to understand the commercial and legal aspects of an issue and agree on appropriate strategy. He is a formidable advocate in pursuit of his client's goals." - C D Ellis, Fletcher Construction
    • "... he is able to keep the important issues in focus without complicating them unnecessarily and disproportionately. At the same time he was readily available when needed. Les has both been a skilful advocate for us and demonstrated the inter-personal skills that are necessary to ensure an effective relationship with clients." - Elmar Toime, former Chief Executive, New Zealand Post
    • "I have observed Les in action in two matters of advocacy and have been extremely impressed with his skills at getting the point over, however disagreeable, in a way which respected both opposing Counsel and the Judge's opinions. His style is low key but extremely persuasive." - Ann Clark, Department of Corrections
    • "In my experience he provides sound, practical and results-oriented advice. He has been readily available to meet with me, often on quite short notice, and shown a real commitment to the matters on which he is engaged." - Patsy Reddy, Active Equities Ltd
    • "He is quick to grasp the nub of a problem and come up with a workable and cost-effective strategy to resolve it. ... Les is also that rare combination of a successful litigator (indeed I cannot recall a trial loss on any matter where I have instructed him) and a success at mediations / judicial settlement conferences." - Jennifer Woodman, QBE Insurance (International) Ltd
  • International Legal Directory Mentions
    • Leading individual - Chambers Global - 2005/2006
    • Leading individual - Chambers Global - 2006/2007
  • Memberships and Appointments
    • Member of the teaching faculty of the New Zealand Law Society litigation skills courses 15 years; Deputy Director of the litigation skills course in 1996 and Director in 1997
    • Founding member - national committee of Lawyers Engaged in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LEADR) which was formed to promote mediation as a form of dispute resolution particularly in commercial cases. Deputy Chairman of LEADR for two years
    • Member and former secretary of the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand
    • Member of the Insurance Law Association
    • Completed Master Advocates Course conducted by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy in the United States
    • Completed advanced mediation training courses conducted by CDR Associates of Boulder, Colorado and Harvard University

Email : les.taylor@stoutstreet.co.nz
Direct Dial : +64 4 917 1088
Fax : +64 4 917 1089
Mobile : +64 21 663 753
Postal: PO Box, 5537, Wellington 6145