Scott is a specialist employment lawyer with over 20 years’ experience. Working closely with senior executives, legal counsel and human resources managers across a wide range of industries, he provides strategic and solutions-focused advice on all workplace matters, including disciplinary and performance processes, restraint of trade and protection of confidential information disputes, Holiday Act obligations, restructuring and redundancies, union matters and human rights issues.

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As part of Duncan Cotterill’s Health & Safety team, Scott has extensive experience advising and advocating for clients on a full range of health and safety issues. He provides clients with expert advice on their health and safety obligations and regularly acts on health and safety investigations and WorkSafe prosecutions.

Scott has significant litigation experience in a range of jurisdictions and regularly attends mediations and appears in the District Court, Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court. He has also acted as Counsel in a number of Court of Appeal cases.

 

Recent highlights

  • Acting as counsel in a highly publicised Employment Court case that resulted in a precedent creating decision.
  • Representing a national agribusiness in respect of a Holidays Act claim pursued by a national union on behalf of its members.
  • Representing a national employer in litigation to protect its confidential information, including obtaining ex-parte interim relief.
  • Being a trusted employment adviser to several large agribusinesses and advising them on all aspects of employment law, including restraint of trade, collective bargaining, and disciplinary matters.
  • Representing two tertiary institutions in relation to personal grievance claims brought against them.

 

Scott's insights

Contracts of Insurance Act 2024 passed

14 November 2024

Potential criminal liability for producer statements upheld by the Court of Appeal

17 October 2024

Redeployment: A Practical Guide

14 October 2024

We're driven by our values

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

He tāngata

  • Former board member of the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme
  • Authors articles and presents at seminars, conferences and industry events
  • Treasurer of a local ski club

Excellence

  • Recognised as a ‘Leading Practitioner’ in the Best Lawyers New Zealand 2025 directory for Labour and Employment Law.
  • Recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific legal directory

Enterprising

  • Past convenor of the Employment Law Committee of the Canterbury Westland branch of the NZ Law Society
  • Admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales

Authenticity

“The team is well-respected and has an extensive client portfolio.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023

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