Blog
In BC207624 v Grimshaw & co [2026] NZSC 5 the Supreme Court on 17 February 2026 dismissed the Spencer on Byron application for leave to appeal the Court of Appeal decision dismissing the claim against Grimshaw & co for its conduct/advice in the leaky building claim.
Here is link to the latest NZTA/Waka Kotahi newsletter about the Northland Corridor. Alternative to Brynderwyns Meetings with affected owners now completed. NZTA in the final stages of refining the preferred route. Expect to provide confirmation of impact for landowners by mid-March 2026. NZTA on track to lodge the Notice of Requirement and all statutory approvals by mid-2026. This is the priority part of the corridor. Warkworth to Te Hana NZTA will be moving into the negotiation stage after the evaluation of proposals is complete at the end of March 2026, with the contract expected to be awarded by end of July 2026. The successful PPP (Public Private Partnership) […]
The Bianco Off Queen is a two-tower apartment building with 157 units. It was built with defects. Body Corporate 406198, the Body Corporate for the Apartments, together with individual unit owners sued Argon Construction Ltd as head contractor and the Auckland Council in negligence. In the High Court, Andrew J awarded the sum of $5,344,816.55 in remedial costs (including a sum for escalation) as well as $779,500 in general damages. This compared to the sum initially claimed by the Body Corporate of $40,739,870. Costs were awarded to the Body Corporate on a category 3B basis in the sum of $583,254 and disbursements of $579,514.73 notwithstanding a pre-trial Calderbank offer at […]
Here is a piece from Radio NZ about two proceedings I commenced recently arising out of the flooding over the past 3 years. One is a judicial review in the Auckland High Court about the Auckland Council categorisation process that has left a family as the only house left on a street subject to flooding up to 2m high. Here is the statement of claim. The other is in the Auckland District against Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and a developer, Armino Ltd where roading and adjacent work has caused flooding to properties and altered the water path. The defendants did the work contrary to what was required by the consent. […]
As of 24 January 2026 the jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal is now $60,000. Notably there is no change to the appeal rights which under s50 Disputes Tribunals Act 1988 say: (1)Any party to proceedings before the Tribunal may appeal to the District Court against an order made by the Tribunal under section 18(8) or section 46(2) or section 47(3)(b), or against the approval by the Tribunal of an agreed settlement under section 18(3), or against the variation of a term of an agreed settlement under section 47(3)(a), on the grounds that— (a)the proceedings were conducted by the Referee; or (b)an inquiry was carried out by an Investigator— in a […]
