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Helen Smith

I am a dispute resolution and litigation expert, skilled in problem solving, risk mitigation and guiding others through complex issues to a resolution.

I act on major commercial cases, helping clients resolve disputes and appearing in Court or in arbitrations. With nearly 30 years’ litigation experience, I have dealt with a range of commercial claims including injunctions, construction claims (including leaky building litigation) and adjudications, company, shareholder and director claims, contractual, property and leasing disputes, trust and estate litigation, and those relating to climate change.

I also provide specialist advice to the insurance sector. Insurers regularly appoint me as defence counsel where my focus is professional indemnity, public and product liability, statutory liability and general liability. I also help professionals respond to complaints to their industry bodies.

I am also a trained mediator. I trained with and am an Associate Member of the Arbitrators‘ and Mediators‘ Institute of New Zealand Inc. I also trained with the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University in the US. My focus is mediating civil and commercial disputes. I also facilitate negotiations between adversarial parties and expert conferencing

LOCATION

Canterbury

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Building and Construction, including Leaky Buildings, Civil, Disciplinary Proceedings, Dispute Resolution (ADR and/or Litigation), Insurance

I Accept Direct Instructions in the following areas: