Brett Vautier Partner

"I have extensive commercial and civil litigation and dispute resolution experience gained in New Zealand and overseas (Melbourne and London) as well as in commercial environments. I have conducted litigation and represented clients in various tribunals, District and High Courts and the Court of Appeal. As well as a broad range of commercial disputes a substantial part of my practice includes drafting and reviewing individual employment agreements, advising on employment law issues and resolving personal grievances, through negotiation, mediation and the Employment Relations Authority and Courts.

My focus is on understanding clients' needs and achieving the best possible outcome for them by providing strong negotiation skills and effective legal representation in the Courts.

I have previously been employed as assistant company solicitor with a major New Zealand based insurance company and also worked for two years as Controller of Legal & Business Affairs for a UK film production company, so I appreciate the commercial realities faced by clients and the desire for pragmatic and cost effective advice and solutions.

My clients include a broad range of individuals and companies involved in various sectors including property and finance, general manufacturing and insurance.

I am a Member of ADLSI Employment Committee (2013)."

Some examples of recent decisions I was involved in include:

PPS Act - Priority of Securities - Gibbston Downs Wines Limited and RFD Finance No 2 Limited v Perpetual Trust Limited and Ors – CIV-2010-409-001716 – Chisholm J – 28 May 2012 

Strike out decision - King v Porus (High Court, Christchurch - CIV-2010-409-2966, [2012] NZHC 3035, 15 November 2012, Associate Judge Osborne); [2013] BCL 31

Brett is a Partner who does not share liabilities of the partnership.