Les Taylor KC

I have practised as a commercial litigator for over 30 years. I have acted as Senior Counsel in various jurisdictions including the High Court, Court of Appeal, Privy Council, Supreme Court, Environment Court and Employment Court.

I have acted extensively for insurers (QBE, Vero, Lumley and NZI) 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). I also have considerable experience in:

• Construction law (NZ counsel for contractor joint venture for construction of 9 km hydro tunnel, defence of various “leaky building” claims and defence of claims against architects and engineers)
• Environment law (acted as Senior Counsel in Environment Court appeals) including consent for 100 turbine Mahinerangi wind farm
• Shipping law (including successful defence of wrongful arrest claim for $5m).
• Energy law (have acted in various arbitrations, High Court and Court of Appeal proceedings involving joint venture disputes in the oil and gas production industry including successful defence of $300m damages claim by Todd Pohokura Ltd against Shell New Zealand and OMV (now subject to appeal)
• Commerce Act and Securities Act issues
• Employment law (as Senior Counsel in the Employment Court)

In addition to the cases referred to below I have acted as senior counsel in numerous other cases primarily in the High Court and Court of Appeal and in arbitrations. I have also negotiated and settled hundreds of cases and have been involved in numerous mediations both as counsel and as a mediator.