Lewis has wide-ranging experience across commercial dispute resolution and appellate advocacy.
Appearing at all levels in the courts, Lewis has acted in matters including contractual disputes, competition issues, construction, tax, public law, property, financial and regulatory litigation, intellectual property, urgent relief including injunctions, search and freezing orders, insolvency, and employment litigation.
In addition to his experience in the general courts, Lewis has acted as counsel in arbitrations and mediations, in the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court, and in specialist Tribunals.
Lewis has also been appointed as the independent solicitor supervising search orders.
After completing his LLB (Hons) Lewis commenced legal practice at a national firm in 2000. While at the firm he completed a Masters in Law with First Class Honours. He joined the independent bar in 2007.
Lewis has acted for some of New Zealand's largest companies, for multi-nationals, and for individuals, across various sectors and in a wide range of litigation and disputes.
Lewis brings a pragmatic approach to disputes, together with clarity, logic, and advanced advocacy skills.
Given the importance of access to justice, Lewis also accepts instructions in legal aid matters (civil, and appeals to the Court of Appeal and/or Supreme Court).
Civil disputes (including appeals) at all levels of the New Zealand court system.
Contractual disputes.
Financial and regulatory litigation.
Competition law (including Commerce Act and Fair Trading Act).
Intellectual property.
Insolvency issues.
Construction disputes.
Property, trust claims, and claims in equity.
Shareholder disputes.
Directors' duties.
Urgent relief including injunctions, search orders and freezing orders.
Employment litigation.
Privacy.
Mediation.
Arbitration.
LLB (Hons) 2000 Auckland University
Stout Shield Finalist; Employment Moot Winner; NZ Client Interviewing Competition Winner; Auckland Negotiation Competition Finalist
LLM (First Class Honours) 2004 Auckland University
Guest Lecturer, Auckland University Law School (Equitable Remedies)
Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor 2000
Member of the New Zealand Law Society
Member of the New Zealand Bar Association
NZLS Litigation Skills
NZLS Advanced Litigation Skills
NZBA Appellate Advocacy
Deloitte Financial Analysis
NZLS Expert Witness Course
New Zealand Barrister of the Year Runner Up
DHC Assets Ltd v Arnerich - acting for a creditor in a breach of director's duties and contractual interpretation matter.
Radhi v District Court at Manukau - an extradition judicial review matter, at the Court of Appeal stage, including consideration of the relevance of New Zealand's international obligations in the extradition context.
Bream Tail Residents Association v Wong - a Declaratory Judgments Act application, for a residents' association in regard to the enforcement of Association Rules.
Fresh Direct Ltd v J M Batten and Associates and Anor - a matter regarding the scope of privilege when notification is made to insurers.
WHK (NZ) Ltd and Ors v Retail Media Ltd (in receivership and liquidation) and Ors - injunctive relief obtained for creditors regarding dissipation of assets and consequential issues, including the conduct of the receivership and liquidation, and a subsequent arbitration.
Foster v Ruckdeschel - obtaining Mareva/freezing and disclosure orders in New Zealand, and subsequently in Hong Kong and then in the United States, to trace and obtain the return of funds unlawfully obtained in New Zealand.
Westpac Banking Corporation Ltd and Ors v Commissioner of Inland Revenue - a "tax secrecy" matter ultimately determined in the Supreme Court.
Great Barrier Airlines Flight Operations Ltd v Great Barrier Air Ltd - an injunction including mandatory orders following breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986 and passing off.
Dunning v Chabro Holdings Ltd - a shareholder dispute and subsequent taxation issues.
BDM Grange Ltd v Parker and Ors - obtaining and executing search orders, and a subsequent issue as to the delineation between the jurisdiction of the High Court and the Employment Court.
Clarke v Norske Skog Tasman Ltd - an employment status (casual or permanent employee) matter.
Bomac Laboratories Ltd and Ors v F Hoffman-La Roche Ltd and Ors - price-fixing litigation in relation to a world-wide price-fixing cartel.
Lewis has wide-ranging experience across commercial dispute resolution and appellate advocacy.
Appearing at all levels in the courts, Lewis has acted in matters including contractual disputes, competition issues, construction, tax, public law, property, financial and regulatory litigation, intellectual property, urgent relief including injunctions, search and freezing orders, insolvency, and employment litigation.
In addition to his experience in the general courts, Lewis has acted as counsel in arbitrations and mediations, in the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court, and in specialist Tribunals.
Lewis has also been appointed as the independent solicitor supervising search orders.
After completing his LLB (Hons) Lewis commenced legal practice at a national firm in 2000. While at the firm he completed a Masters in Law with First Class Honours. He joined the independent bar in 2007.
Lewis has acted for some of New Zealand's largest companies, for multi-nationals, and for individuals, across various sectors and in a wide range of litigation and disputes.
Lewis brings a pragmatic approach to disputes, together with clarity, logic, and advanced advocacy skills.
Given the importance of access to justice, Lewis also accepts instructions in legal aid matters (civil, and appeals to the Court of Appeal and/or Supreme Court).
Civil disputes (including appeals) at all levels of the New Zealand court system.
Contractual disputes.
Financial and regulatory litigation.
Competition law (including Commerce Act and Fair Trading Act).
Intellectual property.
Insolvency issues.
Construction disputes.
Property, trust claims, and claims in equity.
Shareholder disputes.
Directors' duties.
Urgent relief including injunctions, search orders and freezing orders.
Employment litigation.
Privacy.
Mediation.
Arbitration.
LLB (Hons) 2000 Auckland University
Stout Shield Finalist; Employment Moot Winner; NZ Client Interviewing Competition Winner; Auckland Negotiation Competition Finalist
LLM (First Class Honours) 2004 Auckland University
Guest Lecturer, Auckland University Law School (Equitable Remedies)
Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor 2000
Member of the New Zealand Law Society
Member of the New Zealand Bar Association
NZLS Litigation Skills
NZLS Advanced Litigation Skills
NZBA Appellate Advocacy
Deloitte Financial Analysis
NZLS Expert Witness Course
New Zealand Barrister of the Year Runner Up
DHC Assets Ltd v Arnerich - acting for a creditor in a breach of director's duties and contractual interpretation matter.
Radhi v District Court at Manukau - an extradition judicial review matter, at the Court of Appeal stage, including consideration of the relevance of New Zealand's international obligations in the extradition context.
Bream Tail Residents Association v Wong - a Declaratory Judgments Act application, for a residents' association in regard to the enforcement of Association Rules.
Fresh Direct Ltd v J M Batten and Associates and Anor - a matter regarding the scope of privilege when notification is made to insurers.
WHK (NZ) Ltd and Ors v Retail Media Ltd (in receivership and liquidation) and Ors - injunctive relief obtained for creditors regarding dissipation of assets and consequential issues, including the conduct of the receivership and liquidation, and a subsequent arbitration.
Foster v Ruckdeschel - obtaining Mareva/freezing and disclosure orders in New Zealand, and subsequently in Hong Kong and then in the United States, to trace and obtain the return of funds unlawfully obtained in New Zealand.
Westpac Banking Corporation Ltd and Ors v Commissioner of Inland Revenue - a "tax secrecy" matter ultimately determined in the Supreme Court.
Great Barrier Airlines Flight Operations Ltd v Great Barrier Air Ltd - an injunction including mandatory orders following breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986 and passing off.
Dunning v Chabro Holdings Ltd - a shareholder dispute and subsequent taxation issues.
BDM Grange Ltd v Parker and Ors - obtaining and executing search orders, and a subsequent issue as to the delineation between the jurisdiction of the High Court and the Employment Court.
Clarke v Norske Skog Tasman Ltd - an employment status (casual or permanent employee) matter.
Bomac Laboratories Ltd and Ors v F Hoffman-La Roche Ltd and Ors - price-fixing litigation in relation to a world-wide price-fixing cartel.
