General Background
Alan attended Auckland Grammar School before commencing his law degree at Auckland University where he graduated with LLB (Hons). He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1967 and attended Oxford University where he gained a BCL in 1970. Alan went to the Bar in 1979 and was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1987.
Whilst dedicating most of his time to the Law, Alan has maintained his passion for athletics and is a keen runner, successfully competing in World Masters Championships over the years. He is also known for his interest in horse racing and breeding and is proud to be part owner of a successful stud farm in the Waikato.
Selected Recent Cases
Alan has appeared as counsel in commercial litigation on behalf of Air New Zealand, Auckland City Council, Auckland International Airport Ltd, Bank of New Zealand, Brierly Investments Limited, Cards NZ Ltd, Commerce Commission, Feltex Carpets directors, Fisher & Paykel Ltd, Fletcher Challenge Limited, Fonterra Co-Operative Ltd, Lion Nathan, Manukau City Council, National Provident Fund, Natural Gas Corporation, Perry Corporation Limited, PPCS Limited, Vector Ltd.
Professional Activities
- 1967: Law Tutor
- 1971: Lecturer in Law, King's College, University of London
- 1973, 1984-1987: Part-time Lecturer Auckland University
- 1970-1979: Barrister & Solicitor
- 1979-1987: Barrister Sole
- 1987-present: Queen's Counsel
Government Appointments
- 1985-1987: Public & Administrative Law Reform Committee member
- 1987-1996: Legislation Advisory Committee member
- 1989-1993: Deputy Chairman, New Zealand Broadcasting Commission
- 1990-1992: Member, New Zealand Racing Authority
- 1992-1996: Member, New Zealand Racing Industry Board
- 1996: Member, New Zealand Totalisator Agency Board
- May 2008-Aug 2012: Deputy Chairperson, Sports Tribunal
Case History
- Saunders v Houghton & Ors [2010] 3 NZLR 331 CA
- TVNZ v Simunovich Fisheries Ltd [2005] 3 NZLR 134, [2010] 1 NZLR 315 SCNZ
- McElroy v AIAL [2008] 3 NZLR 262
- DA Constable Syndicate 386 v Auckland District Law Society [2009] 1 NZLR 677, [2010] 3 NZLR 23 CA
- NZ Recreational Fishing Council Inc v Sanford Ltd [2009] 3 NZLR 438 SCNZ
- BNZ Investments Ltd v CIR [2008] 1 NZLR 598 CA, [2008] 2 NZLR 709 SCNZ
- Carter Holt Harvey Ltd v Commerce Commission [2008] NZLR 1 387
- Amaltal Corporation Ltd v Maruha Corporation [2007] 1 NZLR 608, CA; [2007] 3 NZLR 192, SCNZ
- Jagger v QBE Insurance International Ltd [2007] 2 NZLR 336, CA
- Securities Commission v Midavia Rail Investments [2006] 2 NZLR 207, [2007] 2 NZLR 454, CA
- Waste Management NZ Ltd v Rodney District Council [2006] 2 NZLR 787
- Gibbons Holdings Ltd v Wholesale Distributors Ltd [2006] 2 NZLR 27, CA
- Commerce Commission v Telecom Mobile Ltd [2006] 3 NZLR 323, SC
- Waller v NZ Bloodstock Ltd [2006] 3 NZLR 629
- Fu Hao Construction Ltd v Landco Albany Ltd [2005] 1 NZLR 535
- Re International Investment Unit Trust [2005] 1 NZLR 270
- PPCS Ltd v Richmond Ltd [2005] 1 NZLR 201, CA
- Discount Brands Ltd v Westfield (New Zealand) Ltd [2005] 2 NZLR 597, SCNZ
- Otago Station Estates Ltd v Parker [2005] 2 NZLR 734, SCNZ
- Waller v Davies [2005] 3 NZLR 814
- Securities Commission v Midavia Rail Investments BVBA [2005] 3 NZLR 433, CA
- Bank of New Zealand v BNZOPA [2004] 1 NZLR 577, PC
- Foreman v Kingstone [2004] 1 NZLR 841
- Ithaca (Custodians) Ltd v Perry Corp [2004] 1 NZLR 731, CA, [2004] 2 NZLR 182, CA
- Richmond Ltd v PPCS Ltd [2004] 1 NZLR 256, CA
- Discount Brands Ltd v Northcote Mainstreet Inc. [2004] 3 NZLR 619, CA
- Ithaca (Custodians) Ltd v Perry Corp [2003] 2 NZLR 216
- Re McElroy Trust [2003] 2 NZLR 289,CA
- Rodney District Council v Attorney-General [2003] 3 NZLR 721, PC
- CRR V BNZ Investments Ltd [2002] 1 NZLR 450, CA
- Counties Manukau Health Ltd v Dilworth Trust Board [1999] 3 NZLR 537 CA, [2002] 1 NZLR 433, PC
- Wrightson Ltd v Fletcher Challenge Nominees Ltd [2002] 2 NZLR 1, PC
- Man O'War Station Ltd v Auckland City Council [2001] 1 NZLR 52, CA, [2002] 3 NZLR 577, 584, PC
- Gemini Personnel Ltd v Morgan & Banks Ltd [2001] 1 NZLR 14, HC, HC; [2001] 1 NZLR 672, CA
- Greymouth Petroleum Mining Co Ltd v Fletcher Challenge Ltd [2001] 2 NZLR 786, CA
- Riverside Casino Ltd v Moxon [2001] 2 NZLR 78, CA
- Neil Construction Ltd v North Shore City Council [2001] 3 NZLR 533, HC
- Manukau City Council v Ports of Auckland [2000] 1 NZLR 1, PC
- Arklow Investments Limited v Maclean [1998] 680, CA; [2000] 2 NZLR 1, PC
- Natural Gas Corporation Holdings Ltd v Infratil 1998 Ltd [2000] 3 NZLR 727, HC
- Telecom v Auckland City Council [1999] 1 NZLR 426,CA
- Waitakere City Council v Khouri [1999] 1 NZLR 415, CA
- Registered Securities Limited v Jensen Davies & Co [1999] 2 NZLR 686, CA
- Russell McVeagh v Tower Corporation [1998] 3 NZLR 641, CA