With 30 years of experience as a commercial barrister, mediator, and arbitrator, my sole focus is the effective resolution of disputes. I specialize in commercial conflicts, ranging from landlord-tenant matters to multi-party, cross-border disputes involving intricate legal and business considerations.

Conflict is an inevitable and often necessary catalyst for progress and transformation. The critical question is not whether conflict should exist, but how it is managed. Effective resolution requires more than reactionary litigation or avoidance—it demands structured dialogue, strategic negotiation, and, when necessary, decisive third-party determination. Mediation provides a platform for meaningful discussions, while arbitration—both domestic and international—offers a robust, enforceable forum for resolution when adjudication is required.

As an arbitrator and mediator, I leverage three decades of experience in global litigation markets to guide parties toward constructive conversations and sustainable solutions. My commercial acumen extends beyond the legal field; I have held executive roles, including CEO and independent director, across diverse industries such as the marine sector, global healthcare, and international freight.

My experience as a receiver of insolvent companies—ranging from high-value super yacht enterprises to finance firms in distress—has deepened my understanding of the nuanced challenges that arise in commercial insolvency disputes. Additionally, my early career as a navigator in the Royal New Zealand Air Force provided firsthand insight into international conflict dynamics, further shaping my approach to dispute resolution.

This breadth of experience allows me to bring a pragmatic, commercially astute, and globally informed perspective to every dispute I handle, ensuring parties engage in a process that is not only effective but also reflective of the highest professional standards.

He became a Fellow of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand in 2019 (FAMINZ/ Med), and was also recognised as one of the top 10 Mediators in New Zealand by Law Fuel.

Qualifications

LLB(Hons)
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Fellow of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand: Arbitration and Mediation
Harvard Program on Negotiation training.
Civil Mediation Council (UK) registered.
Lexology – global leader in commercial mediation (2022, 2023 and 2025)

Litigation

I commenced my working life as a navigator (and then tactical coordinator) in the RNZAF before attending the University of Auckland Law School, graduating with an honours degree. Having been admitted as a lawyer in 1995, I took on a role as a senior solicitor with Minter Ellison Rudd Watts and then as a senior associate at Bell Gully.

I became a barrister sole in 2004 and set up at the Independent Bar, as a member of the New Zealand Bar Association.

As a civil and commercial litigator with extensive experience in all courts in the New Zealand system, I have also appeared in litigation, arbitrations and mediations in the South Pacific, Australia and other jurisdictions. Accustomed in running complex multi-party litigation, I have acted as senior counsel in significant commercial litigation and have led a number of international arbitrations involving the construction of super yachts, both domestically and off-shore.

Business Experience

From 2006-2008, I had a break from the practice of law and stepped in as managing director and CEO of a super-yacht construction company. In that capacity I ran eight companies in Australasia and the Cayman Islands. As a privately-owned business, employing 300 staff with facilities in New Zealand and Australia and customers in Europe, USA, Middle East and South East Asia, I reported to the board of directors and shareholders and had direct reports across production, financial, design, refit and marketing.

Further business experience includes acting as receiver across a number of varied businesses and I currently also hold several independent directorships.

Mediation and Facilitation

Returning to the law in 2008, I recommenced work as a commercial and civil barrister and established a practice as a mediator. My mediation practice is in addition to, and complementary to my commercial and civil court work.

Effective dispute resolution is much wider than just effective litigation services. I have combined my extensive legal experience and considerable business experience to offer negotiation, facilitation and mediation services across the whole continuum of dispute resolution from helping people have better conversations through to appellate court work.

I write, teach, and consult in the fields of mediation, facilitation, and negotiation. I regularly lecture at national and international levels on effective dispute resolution.

Memberships and Acknowledgements

Paul’s appointments include Associate Member of AMINZ, Netball New Zealand Disciplinary Committee chairman, panel of mediators for the Marine Industry Association and the Franchise Association of New Zealand, Triathlon NZ Age Group Adjudicator and a member of the panel of mediators for the New Zealand Law Society.

• Served as a judge at the ICC International Mediation Competition in Paris 2020

• Became a Fellow of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand in 2019 (FAMINZ (Med))

• Named as a finalist for Mediator of the Year in the 2019 New Zealand Law Awards

• Awarded the AMINZ Ann Edge Memorial Award and the Fellowship Mediation Prize

• Served as a judge at the ICC Mediation Competition in Melbourne 2019

• Recognised as one of the top 10 mediators in New Zealand in 2019 by LawFuel

• LCIA, LMAA, International Academy of Mediators, SIAC, HKIAC, DIAC, arbitrateAD, ADGM, AMINZ, NZ Bar, DBRF, CMC, Society of Construction Lawyers, IBA, ICCA, CIArb, African Construction Law

Academic appointments/teaching

Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand Director of Professional Studies
Westminster University (London) visiting lecturer in International Commercial Arbitration (2023 – 2025)
Editor – Kluwer Mediation Blog