Guy Tompkins,
Partner
Guy is an experienced commercial litigator who represents clients across 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 rejoined the firm in 2019 following 5 years in London, where he held senior in-house positions in a major commercial bank.
Guy’s practice specialises in commercial and corporate disputes, with experience across a wide range of industry sectors. He has a particular focus on contractual issues, insurance disputes, company and corporate disputes (including shareholder claims), property, regulatory investigations, media and technology, restructuring and insolvency, and construction disputes. Guy’s clients include major corporates, SMEs, company directors, high net worth individuals and local authorities.
Guy is an experienced counsel before all levels of New Zealand’s court system and arbitrations. He has significant trial experience on both civil and criminal matters, and has acted in some of the most significant recent cases before the New Zealand courts. He is a skilled litigation manager, known for taking a pragmatic and efficient approach to simplify complex litigation. He is results focussed and seeks to identify the most efficient and appropriate strategy at the outset of any case.
In addition to representing clients in litigation, Guy provides expert strategic advice focused on risk management, governance and prevention or early resolution of disputes. Wherever possible, Guy seeks to resolve contentious issues early, either through direct commercial negotiation or alternative dispute resolution processes. Guy’s construction sector practice involves regularly representing both contractors and principals in adjudications and other expert determination processes.
Guy has a significant insurance law practice, with a particular focus on representing insureds in insurance coverage disputes. He also has experience acting both for and against insured professionals in professional indemnity claims.
Guy has an extensive regulatory practice. He regularly represents clients in connection with investigations and proceedings by various regulators, including the FMA, Commerce Commission, Work Safe and SFO. He also provides strategic and compliance advice on advertising campaigns, fair trading and consumer law, and product liability.
In 2022 Guy was recognised by NZ Lawyer as a rising star of the New Zealand legal profession. Guy is listed as a leading New Zealand lawyer in the Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist. Other recent directory commentary includes “very responsive and agile in thinking and solutions. Very good written skills and pragmatic”.
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 insurance coverage issues, including test case proceedings up to the Supreme Court regarding insurance cover 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, director liability and derivative action proceedings.
Acting as Court appointed independent counsel to undertake document review exercises in the context of multiple SFO investigations and a derivative action
Acting for a property developer in urgent injunction proceedings relating to a large housing development
Regularly represents construction sector clients in Construction Contracts Act 2002 adjudications, and related debt recovery actions.
Acting for a wood products exporter in confidential arbitration proceedings relating to a long term supply agreement.
Advising major corporates on consumer and fair trading issues, including advertising campaigns and product liability issues.
Advising a large 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.
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).