Chris Shannon

Partner

Chris specialises in litigation and dispute resolution, with a particular focus on insurance litigation, and regulatory/criminal matters. He likes to help clients out of tight spots, without the need for public hearings or trials. As a true dispute resolver, he works to assist clients whether they are facing investigation by regulators, professional disciplinary complaints, or professional liability claims.

Chris has experience in many areas of insurance law, acting for both insurers and insured parties, advising on professional indemnity, professional discipline, statutory liability, and material damage arising out of earthquake damage.

 

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Chris also has an interest in insolvency law and acts for a number of liquidators and is an experienced Court lawyer, having been a Crown Prosecutor for over seven years before joining Duncan Cotterill, prosecuting numerous trials in the District and High Courts.

Recent highlights

  • Defending an ongoing High Court litigation claiming $7m for alleged negligence.
  • Successfully defending an application by the Environmental Protection Agency to extend time for charging.
  • Successfully defending a Resource Management Act prosecution where the Council’s charges were dismissed, and it was ordered to pay costs.
  • Acting for insurers and various employers on a number of WorkSafe investigations and prosecutions, including fatalities.
  • Acting on a chemical spill into a creek, where the insured was prosecuted.
  • Acting for a New Zealand insurance business to resolve some of the last Christchurch earthquake claims.
  • Acting on recovery proceedings ranging from building flooding to forestry damage.
  • Advising on a large number of disputes arising from the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes and the ongoing issues resulting from the approaches and repairs.

Chris's insights

Chambers and Partners - Insurance & Reinsurance 2024 New Zealand chapter

23 February 2024

Tanya Wood features in Sparke Helmore's 2023 Construction Update

20 December 2023

Navigating the future: New Zealand’s employment policy landscape for the 54th Government

6 December 2023

We're driven by our values

They drive our client relationships and connections with our community, and underpin our achievements.

He tāngata

  • Presentations to clients and legal and industry bodies
  • Club Hockey Coach

Excellence

  • Recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific legal directory
  • Canterbury Regional Council v Rooney Earthmoving Limited & Ors [2021] NZDC 4035

Enterprising

  • Member of NZILA
  • BCA Economics and Accounting

Authenticity

  • “…thank you for your great work on this one.” Insurance client

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