I practice Law as a Barrister Sole.
I attained a LLB from Canterbury (1987).
I attained a LLM (Hons) from Victoria (1989) where I specialised in trusts, taxation and litigation.
I was admitted to the Bar in February 1987.
In January 1986 I started my legal career working as a law clerk in Treasury followed by employment in Inland Revenue. Between 1988 and 1995 I worked in a National Law firm (Rudd Watts & Stone – Wellington) and 2 provincial law firms (Sharp Tudhope and Peter Jones & Associates both in Tauranga) where I specialised in taxation providing opinions and transactional advice as well as being Counsel in taxation cases. I also provided general commercial advice from the very small transactions to large financing transactions and company restructurings.
In recognition of my developing expertise in the tax area, in 1989, I was appointed by the Government to two committees which were tasked with making recommendations to the Government on changes to the Accrual Rules.
In 1995 I joined the Independent Bar. Since being at the Bar, I have continued to provide specialist taxation advice with an emphasis on taxation disputes as well as being a general civil and criminal litigator. In 2011 though I ceased being able to undertake legal aid work (criminal or civil).
I have represented clients in the District Court, the Taxation Review Authority, the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR DIFFICULT LEGAL PROBLEMS
Professional Experience. Exceptional Results.
PRACTICE AREAS
TAX LITIGATION
CIVIL AND CRIMINAL REPRESENTATION
ADVISING CHARITIES
I provide advice to Charities as to their eligibility for initial and ongoing charitable status. This advice involves advising on the establishment and ongoing operation of the charity and its activities.
PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE AND DISCIPLINARY MATTERS
ASSISTING SOLICITORS
I often assist lawyers in providing advice to their clients by providing an opinion to the solicitor and/or background advice so as to assist them in advising their clients.
TAXATION ADVICE AND OPINIONS
I provide opinion advice on tax matters and have a particular interest in what constitutes tax avoidance (and the potential penalties) and the taxation of property transactions.
GET IN TOUCH
PHONE : 03 389 5355
POST : P.O.Box 38-153 Christchurch 8842
BACKGROUND
PUBLICATIONS & SEMINARS
I am a well know seminar presenter locally and nationally.
I co-presented in a series of seminars for the New Zealand Law Society on tax (1995 -Property Transactions, 1998 –GST, 2008 –GST and the 2009 Legal Executives Conference).
I was a presenter for the Institute of Accountants in a series of nationwide seminars (2006 - Tax Disputes) and the Tax Education Office in 1989 (Property Transactions and the Accrual Rules).
In 1995 I became the first Consultant Editor of the CCH loose-leaf publication called the Lawyers Tax Companion. In 1997 I also became an editor for Brooker’s specialist electronic tax product Smart Tax. I continue in these roles today.
MY LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY ROLES AND INTERESTS OUTSIDE THE LAW
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS
I am a past member of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Tax Committee, the New Zealand Law Society Tax Committee, the New Zealand Law Society Continuing Education Committee and was the convenor of the Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Law Society Tax Committee.
I have held a number of leadership positions in the legal profession. In this regard I was on the board of the New Zealand Bar Association from 2009-2013 and the South Island Vice- President in 2012. From 2013- 2015 I was the Convenor of the Canterbury Womens’ Legal Association.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
I have played an active role as a volunteer in many community organisations. In particular I have been a volunteer for the Community Law Centre (Wellington and in Christchurch in providing legal advice immediately after the February 2011 earthquake), the Cancer Society and Plunket and various children’s charities. In addition I am a keen supporter of adaptive sports and have had the pleasure of being an official at the last major sporting event at the QE II stadium in Christchurch – the World Disabled Athletics Sports in February 2011.
SPORTING INTERESTS
As a keen sportsperson I completed the Coast to Coast three times and a number of other endurance bike races. I am a keen skier and participated in masters ski racing in New Zealand and overseas. My current aim is to become a proficient cross country skier and complete some of the iconic trails in the Northern Hemisphere.
I am an amateur ceramic artist and enjoy good books, music and movies.
