George specialises in disputes and litigation matters, with a focus on complex litigation. His experience includes trusts, estates, commercial and company issues.

George has a proven ability to communicate clearly and persuasively under pressure. He enjoys working with clients to develop and execute a strategy to address real-world problems using legal theory.

George has particularly significant experience with trust disputes. He has acted on trust claims including breaches of fiduciary duties to beneficiaries by trustees, applications for directions and breaches of equitable obligations relating to trust powers.

In addition to trust disputes, George has acted on a range of other issues, including disputes involving prejudiced shareholders, terms of exit from partnerships and companies, commercial disputes and claims in negligence. George prides himself on using his broad background and strategic focus to assist a wide range of clients.

 

 

Recent highlights

  • Acting for US clients on significant litigation involving claims under trust and equity (including fiduciary relationships and estoppel).
  • Acting for a Charitable Trust in multiple significant litigated issues.
  • Acting for beneficiaries in high-value and long running trust litigation, including applications for directions and applications for disclosure of trust documents.
  • Acting in franchise, shareholder and partnership disputes.
  • Obtaining freezing orders against offshore debtor.
  • Acting on a medical negligence claim.
  • Acting on a highly confidential contractual dispute.

Recent cases

  • Hagaman v Hagaman:
    • [2020] NZHC 1800 (Applications for strike out; particulars of claim; non-party discovery; tailored discovery).
    • [2021] NZHC 1599 (Security for costs).
    • [2021] NZAR 202; [2021] NZHC 1782 (Legal privilege, whether privilege continues after death of privilege holder).
    • [2023] NZHC 1168 (Amendment to statement of claim; application for further discovery; waiver of privilege; confidential documents).
    • [2023] NZHC 2535 (Application to determine disclosure of trust documents).
  • Public Trust v Kain
    • [2019] NZHC 2789 (Discovery orders in trustee’s application for directions).
    • [2023] NZHC 1793 (Costs award on interlocutory applications).
  • Kain v Public Trust
    • [2021] NZCA 685 (Appeal by beneficiaries against directions to trustees).
    • [2022] NZCA 239 (Costs application following substantive appeal against directions to trustees).

 

George's insights

Changes to Tax Laws – What Trustees Need to Know

6 December 2024

Court of Appeal confirms manufacturer's duty of care in leaky building cases

29 October 2024

Naming your incorporated society – what are the rules?

27 September 2024

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