Guy Tompkins,
Partner
Guy is an experienced commercial litigator who advises clients on a broad range of contentious issues. He holds a LLB (Hons) and BA from the University of Canterbury, and commenced practice at Wilson Harle. Guy’s experience includes 5 years in London, where he held senior in-house positions for a major retail and commercial bank.
Guy acts for and advises clients on all types of civil and commercial disputes. In addition to representing clients in litigation, Guy provides expert advice focused on early resolution or avoiding dispute altogether. He has a particular focus on contractual issues, insurance, financial services, company and corporate disputes, media and technology law, regulatory investigations, restructuring and insolvency, and construction disputes. Guy is an experienced counsel before all levels of the New Zealand court system, with significant trial experience on both civil and criminal matters.
In London, Guy managed a team of lawyers advising on a significant portfolio of litigation, regulatory investigations, and pro-active remediation initiatives in relation to the treatment of commercial customers by the bank’s restructuring division, along with the mis-sale of interest rate hedging products.
Guy takes a pragmatic and proactive approach to dispute resolution, and tailors his approach to the needs of each client. He is results focussed and seeks to identify the most efficient and appropriate strategy at the outset. His experience includes managing complex large-scale litigation through to resolution at trial, arbitration proceedings, efficient management of more straightforward litigation, expert advisory services, and resolution of issues through mediation or commercial negotiation.
In 2022 Guy was recognised by NZ Lawyer as a rising star of the New Zealand legal profession.
Guy Tompkins,
Partner
Noteworthy
Acting for a commercial and retail property developer in contract proceedings against Auckland Council and Auckland Transport relating to the development of a metropolitan town centre (Westgate Town Centre Ltd v Auckland Council [2023] NZHC 1455).
Representing multiple local authorities on contentious insurance issues, including test case proceedings up to the Supreme Court regarding insurance coverage for non-weathertightness building defect liabilities (Napier City Council v Local Government Mutual Funds Trustee [2021] NZHC 1477; [2022] NZCA 422; [2023] NZSC 97).
Acting on various insurance policy coverage disputes for both insureds and insurance brokers.
Regularly acting for shareholders and directors in contentious corporate disputes, including shareholder oppression claims.
Acting for a wood products exporter in confidential arbitration proceedings relating to a long term supply agreement.
Advising a major UK commercial bank on significant regulatory investigations, litigation and remediation schemes arising out of the mis-sale of interest rate hedging products, and the conduct of the bank’s restructuring business.
Regularly represents clients in Construction Contracts Act 2002 adjudications, and related debt recovery actions.
Representing a TV network defending defamation proceedings arising out of a live interview of Joe Karam following the David Bain trial.
Acting for a TV network in urgent injunction proceedings relating to a televised leaders debate in the lead up to the 2014 general election.
Regularly advising on defamatory publications, privacy breaches and other issues arising out of print, broadcast and online publications.
Representing executives and directors in Commerce Commission, SFO, and FMA investigations and enforcement proceedings.
Acting for directors of Capital and Merchant Finance in two related SFO prosecutions (R v Douglas [2012] NZHC 1467; R v Douglas [2012] NZHC 1746).