SOUTHERN CROSS BARRISTER
CHRIS BAIRD
Chris commenced practice as a Barrister Sole in 2001 from Southern Cross Chambers.
Chris holds a First Class Honours degree in Law from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch. He was a Senior Scholar in Law at the University of Canterbury. Chris was awarded the Canterbury District Law Society's Gold Medal in Law as the overall best law undergraduate scholar in 1996, as well as a significant number of other academic law prizes and awards.
Chris practices in wide ranging civil and commercial litigation. He has been Counsel in cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, District Court and various Tribunals involving a wide variety of claims. Chris also acts for those facing professional disciplinary action. He utilises alternative dispute resolution and regularly appears at settlement conferences, mediations and negotiations.
Chris is a member of the New Zealand Bar Association, the New Zealand Law Society and the Auckland District Law Society.
Languages: Thai
Additional Information
Appeals and Appellate Advocacy
Arbitration and Mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Building and Construction
Civil and Commercial Litigation, including Contract and Torts
Company, Insolvency and Liquidation
Competition and Fair Trading
Defamation and Media Law
Information and Privacy
Insurance
Intellectual Property and Information Technology
Medico – Legal, Health Law
Professional/Occupational Disciplinary Complaints
Property, Real Estate, Land, Maori Land
Public and Administrative Law including Judicial Review and Inquiries
Trusts, Wills and Estates including Family Protection and Testamentary Promises
Areas of Expertise
- Civil and Commercial Litigation
- Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, including Arbitration
- Contractual disputes generally, including guarantees.
- Company and shareholder disputes
- Insolvency, Statutory Demands, Liquidations, and Receiverships
- Director's and Officers liability claims
- Equity, Trusts, and Estate Claims, including Family Protection Act claims, disputes over Wills, Testamentary Promises disputes, contested probate disputes, and similar
- Tort disputes, including professional and other negligence claims.
- Defamation, Media, and Privacy disputes
- Property and Land Law disputes generally, including caveat, lease and mortgage disputes
- Real Estate Agent disputes
- Intellectual Property Disputes
- Professional Disciplinary matters
- Medico - Legal matters
- Relationship Property disputes
- Insurance disputes
- Construction disputes, including Construction Contract Act claims, Weathertight Home and Leaky Building claims (acting for claimants and respondents)
- Debt recovery disputes
- Statutory Interpretation disputes
- Judicial Review and Administrative Law disputes
- Injunctive and other emergency relief applications, including search orders and freezing orders and the like
Qualifications
LLB (1st Class Hons)
Academic Awards and Prizes
1996, Canterbury District Law Society Gold Medal in Law (awarded to top law undergraduate)
1996, Ian Johnston Memorial Prize in Family Law.
1996, McArthur Prize in Company and Commercial Law.
1995, University of Canterbury Senior Scholarship in Law.
1995, Rudd Watts & Stone Prize for General Excellence in Law.
1995, Junior Moot Finalist, School of Law, University of Canterbury.
1994, Duncan Cotterill Award in Law.
1993, Law Book Company Limited Prize in Law.
1978, Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Reported and other recent cases
Reported and other significant cases in which Chris has appeared as Counsel include:
ACM Removals Limited v Southern Demolition And Salvage Limited [2019] NZHC 124 (12 February 2019) - Counsel for plaintiff in two week trial for debt recovery in relation to asbestos removal contract for BNZ building.
Zeng v Cai [2018] NZHC 3054 (23 November 2018) - Counsel for the successful plaintiff obtaining a very substantial costs award against the defendants following trial.
Donovan Group NZ Limited v Reid [2018] NZHC 2854 (5 November 2018) - Counsel for successful plaintiff in relation to application for interim injunctions and search and preservation orders.
Commerce Commission v 1 Dollar Reserve Cars Limited & Anor (12 October 2018) (Auckland District Court) – Counsel for defendant in Commerce Commission criminal prosecution for alleged breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986. Successfully argued for 60% discount on sentence.
Zeng v Cai & Ors [2018] NZHC 2548 (28 September 2018) - Counsel for the successful plaintiff in long running litigation and at substantive 4 week trial on various real property claims as to resulting trust, constructive trust, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of joint venture contract, the Pallant v Morgan equity, deceit, and misrepresentation. Successfully obtained very substantial damages and transfers of properties in Auckland to plaintiff.
Zeng v Cai & Ors (2018) (Auckland High Court) - Counsel for the successful plaintiff in relation to application for orders compelling first defendant to answer on oath specified interrogatories.
Gregor v Gudsell (2018) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in proceedings for exemplary damages under the torts of battery and false imprisonment in relation to allegations of rape and stupefaction by the defendant. Proceeding settled.
Miller & Anor v Cregten & Anor (2018) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for respondent trustees in relation to claims of breach of trust.
Dalton and Kemp v Polyprint Packaging Limited (2018) – Counsel for respondent in relation to a voidable preference claim advanced by liquidators. Proceeding settled.
Official Assignee v C & Ors (a bankrupt) (2017) (Auckland High Court) - Counsel for defendants in claim by Official Assignee involving freezing order injunctions and a substantive proceeding to try and recover from third parties monies which the Official Assignee claimed were payable to him. The proceeding involved transactions going back about 15 years which were challenged as voidable by the Official Assignee. Proceeding settled.
Zeng v Cai & Ors (2017) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for appellant in appeal from Family Court orders in proceeding under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976.
Cross v Cross (2017) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for former wife in relation to proceeding under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 brought by former husband to try and overturn a section 21 property relationship agreement. Proceeding settled.
Securities House trustee Limited v Cross and Others (2017) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in claim to recover debt owing to plaintiff. Case involved claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of trust, unjust enrichment, deceit and equitable estoppel. Proceeding settled.
Ellwood v ECU Chips Limited & Ors (2017) – Counsel for defendants in private arbitration proceeding over shareholder dispute. Proceeding settled.
BC 2009 Ltd v Babbage Trustee Company Ltd & Ors (2017) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in proceeding under Companies Act 1993 for breach of directors duties and related claims. Proceeding settled.
Zeng v Cai & Li (2016) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for the successful plaintiff at a separate question trial defending the first defendant’s affirmative defence of a prior de facto relationship. The first defendant withdrew and abandoned her affirmative defence while under cross-examination on the sixth day of a ten day trial.
Zeng v Cai & Li (2016) NZHC 503, (23/3/2016, Auckland, Toogood J) - Counsel for successful plaintiff respondent opposing an application for judicial review of particular discovery and costs judgments of Bell AJ
Cai v Zeng (2016) (Auckland Family Court) – Counsel for successful respondent in proceeding under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976. Applicant’s claim struck out.
Jensen v Wells & Rusden (2016) (Papakura Family Court) – Counsel for executors and beneficiaries in relation to Family Protection Act proceeding.
Registration Authority of Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand v Liu (2016) acted for defendant engineer at a disciplinary hearing before IPENZ on charges of misconduct. The defendant retained his registration.
Kumar v Nandan & Ors (2016) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for defendants in contractual claim relating to real property purchase. Claim also involved third party claims against real estate agent and real estate company. Proceeding settled.
Donovan v Goodwin & Wills (2016) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for defendants in Family Protection Act and Wills Act 2007 claims. Proceeding settled.
Axenova v Axenov (2016) (North Shore District Court) – Counsel for defendant in proceeding under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976. Proceeding settled.
Sam and Vlasic v Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding Limited (2016) – Counsel for successful respondent in response to voidable preference claim. Claim not pursued any further by liquidators.
Nutri-Health Holdings Group New Zealand Limited & Ors v Che & Ors (2016) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiffs in relation to claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of the Fair Trading Act, conspiracy by unlawful means, deceit, knowing receipt, and breaches of various statutory duties of directors.
Commissioner of Police v Tran (2016) (High Court Auckland) – Counsel for defendant in Proceeds of Crime recovery action in relation to large scale drug offending. Proceeding settled.
Parkes v Parkes & Ors (2015) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in Estate litigation.
Re CESL (a complaint to the Medical Council of New Zealand) (2015) – Counsel for complainant ophthalmic surgeons in relation to commercial promotional activities of another group of ophthalmic surgeons.
Miller v Cregten & Byers (2015) (Whangarei Family Court) – Counsel for successful respondents in Family Protection Act claim which was withdrawn by the applicant before it was struck out.
500 Victoria Limited v Manpower New Zealand Limited (2015) – Counsel for respondent in arbitration proceeding relating to property lease renewal dispute. Proceeding settled.
Zeng v Cai & Li (2015) (Auckland Registry, High Court - CIV 2014-404-2012) - Counsel for successful plaintiff in application for particular discovery and costs orders in complex tracing claim involving causes of action in resulting trusts, constructive trust, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, deceit and unjust enrichment.
Coopers Creek Vineyard Limited v Blackbourn (2014) (Waitakere District Court) – Counsel for defendant in proceeding alleging negligence and Rylands v Fletcher in relation to alleged herbicide damage due to spray drift.
Merlot Aero Limited v Hawaii Island Air, Inc. (trading as Island Air) (2014) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in proceeding for breach of contract. Proceeding settled.
Global Food Manufacturing Limited & Ors v Kudrow & Global Food Manufacturing 2011 Limited (2014) – Counsel for respondents in expert determination proceeding in relation to dispute over quantification of balloon payment arising from business acquisition agreement. Proceeding settled.
Brambles New Zealand Limited (t/a CHEP New Zealand) v Te Kauwhata Transport Limited & Pasley (2014) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for defendants in debt recovery and guarantee enforcement proceeding relating to transport pellet costs.
TigerTurf NZ Ltd & Anor v Super Turf Ltd & Ors (2014) (Auckland High Court) - Counsel for successful plaintiffs' application for permanent injunctions in an intellectual property case against trade competitors under the Copyright Act 1994, Trade Marks Act 2002, and the Fair Trading Act 1986.
Corbett v Patterson & Western (2014) 3 NZLR 318 (CA) - Acting for successful respondents on substantive appeal hearing as to the imposition by the Court of the appointment of a litigation guardian for an opposing party in litigation. Appeal by plaintiff dismissed.
Re S & P (a complaint to the Health and Disability Commissioner) (2013) – Counsel for complainants alleging breach of the Code of Patient Rights.
He v Huang (2013) NZHC 2665 - Successful application to disqualify plaintiff’s solicitor from further acting in the proceeding on account of conflict of interest and other issues.
Westpac New Zealand Limited v Adams & Ors (2013) (Christchurch High Court) – Counsel for successful defendants’ further and better discovery application against other parties and a non-party discovery application.
Westpac New Zealand Limited v Adams & Ors (2013) (Christchurch High Court) – Counsel for defendants opposing security for costs application.
Owen v Owen & Owen (2013) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for executors and beneficiaries in Family Protection Act proceeding. Proceeding settled.
Bella Vista Estate Limited v Watene (2013) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for successful plaintiff in bankruptcy proceeding to enforce judgement of High Court in proceeding for breach of Fair Trading Act 1986, deceit, and breach of contract.
Gravatt v Coroner's Court at Auckland & Auckland District Health Board (2013) NZHC 390, CIV 2012-404-001684- Important leading case on name suppression, privacy and related issues - Counsel for plaintiff in successful judicial review proceeding quashing a name suppression order made by the Coroner suppressing publication of names of health practitioners who cared for a patient with Meningococcal disease who died.
Cole v Xiang & Ors (2013) NZWHT Auckland 8 (20 March 2013) - Counsel for successful claimants in Weathertight Homes Tribunal final determination following remission back by High Court on appeal for Tribunal to determine quantum of damages against concurrent tortfeasors - final determination as to joint and several liability for whole of the loss less the amount of settlement sum paid by other parties to claim.
Re F (a complaint to the Medical Council of New Zealand) (2012) – Counsel for complainant ophthalmic surgeon in relation to commercial promotional activities of a group of ophthalmic surgeons.
Pullman & Anor v Burgess (2012) – Counsel for defendant in proceeding for production of records and information from former liquidator. Proceeding settled.
Buller District Council v Fin Sport Consultants Ltd & Ors (2012) (Greymouth High Court) - Counsel for third defendant in multi-party proceeding involving claims in contract and negligence concerning design and construction of artificial turf hockey field. Proceeding settled in 2014 before trial.
Cole v Xiang & Ors (2012) NZHC 3146 (23 November 2012) - Counsel for appellants in successful appeal from Weathertight Homes Tribunal final determination in a leaky building case as to the legal principles to be applied to judgment on liability and quantum being entered against parties who do not appear at trial and do not defend the claims made against them. The appeal judgment is also significant due to its consideration of Fair Trading Act 1986 claims relating to a Code Compliance Certificate and representations by a real estate agent as to the import of an issued Code Compliance Certificate and issues as to causation of loss suffered by purchasers of leaky dwelling.
Harvey v Tyler; Harvey Investment Fund Ltd & The Country Channel Limited (in Receivership & Liquidation) v Tyler (2012) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for defendant in relation to long running litigation due to shareholder dispute arising from investment in and operations of The Country Channel television channel, and enforcement of personal guarantees. Proceedings settled.
Karam v TVWorks Ltd & MediaWorks Ltd (2012) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in defamation proceeding by well known former All Black. Proceeding settled.
Jansen & ILT (No.4) Limited (as trustees of The Jansen Family Trust) v CBL Insurance Limited (2012) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in summary judgment proceeding for recovery of insured losses arising from collapse of building company during renovation of residential property. Proceeding settled.
Evans v The Radio Network Limited (2012) – Counsel for successful claimant in relation to alleged defamation arising from radio competition “What’s your number?” Claim settled before proceeding commenced.
Bella Vista Estate Limited v Oades & Ors (2012) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for successful plaintiff in proceeding for breach of Fair Trading Act 1986, deceit, and breach of contract.
Westpac New Zealand Ltd v Adams & Ors (2011) (Christchurch High Court) - Counsel for defendants in long running multi-party complex commercial litigation arising from enforcement of guarantees in relation to failed wine grape growing business in Blenheim. The proceeding involved claims in relation to enforcement of personal guarantees, alleged breaches of fiduciary duty by a Westpac bank officer personally, alleged professional negligence by solicitor providing independent advice, alleged breach of receivers' statutory duties, and alleged breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1986. Proceeding settled in 2014 shortly before trial.
Playboy Enterprises International, Inc. v Bakehouse Entertainment Limited & Anor (2011) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for first defendant in proceeding by Playboy alleging various trademark infringements, passing off, and breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986. Proceeding settled.
Doyle v MGGC Investments Limited & Ors (2011) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for defendants / counterclaim plaintiffs in relation to claims of alleged breach of share sale agreement, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duties, breach of the Fair Trading Act, deceit and breach of directors’ duties. Proceeding settled.
E-Card Solutions Limited v Francis & Anor (2011) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for defendants and counterclaim plaintiffs in proceeding concerning allegations of breach of director’s duties. Proceeding involved search and seizure (Anton Pillar) injunctions and damages claims. Proceeding settled.
Robertson v Singh, Singh, Kashkari & Sharma (2011) (Auckland District Court) – Counsel for third defendant facing allegations of breach of Fair Trading Act 1986, breach of statutory duties under Real Estate Agents Act, breach of fiduciary duty and knowing receipt. Proceeding settled.
Complaints Assessment Committee 10052 v Kashkari (2011) - Counsel for respondent in professional disciplinary proceedings before Real Estate Agents Authority for alleged breaches of duty. Proceeding settled before hearing.
Waipipi School Baord of Trustees v Xtremebuild Ltd (in liq) (HC Auckland, CIV 2010-404-4878 and 7132, June 2011) Successful application to set aside statutory demand and for stay or proceedings and for costs against defendant on a building defects, debt recovery, breach of contract and breach of duty claims.
Corbett v Patterson & Western (2011) NZCA 649 - Acting for respondents on successful opposition to application to further evidence on appeal.
Corbett v Patterson & Western (2011) NZCA 369 - Acting for respondents on successful opposition to application for recall of judgment.
Corbett v Patterson & Western (2011) NZCA 270 - Acting for respondents on successful opposition to application to appeal out of time.
Brocherie v Matheson (2010) (Auckland Family Court) – Counsel for applicant in proceeding under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976. Proceeding settled.
Vulcan Steel Limited v McDermott & Anor (2010) (Auckland High Court) – Appointed by the High Court as supervising and reporting lawyer in relation to execution of search and seizure (Anton Pillar) Orders.
Northern Bays Motors Limited v Shay Solutions Limited & Ors (2010) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiffs in proceeding concerning alleged breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1986. Proceeding settled.
Blomquist v Chambers & Dew as trustees of the Chambers Family Trust and Ors (2010) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in relation to claims against defendants alleging misrepresentation, breach of contract, deceit, and breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986. Proceeding settled.
Digital Masters Limited v The Country Channel Limited (2010) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for successful applicant to place respondent TV channel company into liquidation.
Warren & Ors v Nagel & Anor (2010) (Auckland High Court) – Appointed by High Court as counsel to represent the interests of a disabled person in relation to trust litigation.
Sunday Morning Limited v Marine Dynamics Limited (In Liquidation) & Ors (2010) (Auckland District Court) – Counsel for third defendant facing allegations of breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986. Proceeding settled.
Holden v Nicholson & Ors (HC, Auckland, CIV 2009-404-3668, 17 March 2010) - Counsel for successful applicants on application to strike out claim in Family Protection Act and paternity declaration proceeding and successful opposition to application to join putative siblings to proceeding.
Opus Fintek Limited & Opus Fintek Investments Limited v Hats Holdings Limited (2008) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff long running complex commercial litigation in relation to enforcement of a settlement agreement, cancellation of a settlement agreement, allegations of re-contractual misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, mistake, breach of contract, deceit breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986, and alleged breaches of director’s duties.
Commerce Commission v Invercargill Property Management Limited & Ors (2008) (Invercargill District Court) – Counsel for defendants in relation to Commerce Commission criminal prosecution for alleged breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1986 arising from a rent to buy housing scheme.
Property Funding Limited v Marac Finance Limited (2008) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in declaratory judgment proceeding in relation to a dispute as to the proper construction, interpretation, and practical application of the Deed of Priority. Proceeding settled.
Baker Molina Enterprises Limited v Cromer (NZ) Limited (2007) (Christchurch High Court) – Counsel for defendant in relation to dispute between the parties as to the operation of the Shareholder’s Agreement. Proceeding settled.
Commerce Commission v Home Finance Company Limited & Ors (2007) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for multiple defendants in Commerce Commission civil proceeding for damages in relation to alleged breach of the Fair Trading Act 1987 in relation to a rent to buy housing scheme. Proceeding settled.
Commerce Commission v Home Finance Company Limited & Ors (2007) (Auckland District Court) – Counsel for multiple defendants in relation to Commerce Commission’s criminal prosecution for alleged breach of the Fair Trading Act 1987 in relation to a rent to buy housing scheme.
Donnell & McCormack v BT Trustee Company Limited & Ors (2007) (Auckland High Court Commercial List) – Counsel for defendants / counterclaim plaintiffs in proceeding by liquidators concerning the validity of a share issue. Proceeding settled.
Fardell v Coroner's Court at North Shore (2007) NZAR 122 (HC) CIV 2006-404-3638 - Important and leading case on prohibiting publication of evidence adduced at a Coronial Inquest - Counsel for successful plaintiff in judicial review proceeding quashing an order of the Coroner permitting publication of information in issue.
Rea & Leonard & Anor v Russell & Anor (HC Auckland, CIV-2004-404-7138, 24 April 2007) - Acting for plaintiffs in reckless trading claim against directors. Successful application by plaintiffs for further and better particulars of defence and unsuccessful application for particular discovery.
Sintel-Com Ltd (in liq) v Telecom New Zealand Ltd (2007) NZCA 499 - successful defence of appeal against dismissal of application to strike out claim. Leading judgment on assignment of choses in action, the effect of assignment of a debenture over a company as part of a settlement and equitable principles applying in circumstances where settlement agreement later sought to be set aside on the basis of alleged misrepresentations.
Commerce Commission v Haven Property Investments Limited (2006) – Counsel for multiple defendants in relation to civil claim by Commerce Commission for damages in relation to alleged breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1986 and the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003. Proceeding settled.
Morrison v Coombes & Grant as trustees of the Estate of M F Coombes Family Trust (2006) (Auckland Family Court) – counsel for defendants in relation to a Family Protection Act 1955, the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 and the Property (Relationships) Act 1976. Proceeding settled.
Mainzeal Property and Construction Limited v Crawford Architects Pty Limited (2006) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for Australian defendant facing negligence allegations.
Realty NZ Limited v Real Estate Institute of New Zealand Inc (2006) – proceeding in relation to successful application for approval to practice.
Impressive Homes Limited & Ors v Vobis Biotechnology Limited & Ors (2006) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in summary judgment proceeding seeking specific performance of a settlement agreement. Proceeding settled.
Commerce Commission v Tower Motor Group (Manukau) Limited & Anor (2006) (Auckland District Court) – Counsel for defendants in criminal prosecution for alleged breaches of Fair Trading act 1986.
Sintel-Com Ltd (in liq) v Telecom New Zealand Ltd (2006) 9 NZCLC 264,040 - Leading High Court judgment in strike out application context on issues arising under legally and equitably assigned debentures and choses in action, and rights of liquidators and receivers.
McLachlan & Ors v MEL & Ors (HC Auckland, CIV 1998-404-253, 22 September 2006) - Acting for plaintiffs in complex commercial litigation concerning electricity joint venture. Successful opposition by plaintiffs to application by first defendant for particular discovery.
Hubbard v Fourth Estate Holdings (2005) (Auckland High Court) – Junior Counsel (to Grant Illingworth QC) for plaintiff (then Mayor of Auckland) in defamation proceeding. Proceeding settled.
Smith & Ors v Covington Spencer Ltd & Ors (2005) (Auckland High Court) – Junior counsel (to Noel Ingram QC) for class action plaintiffs in relation Spencer on Byron project, variously alleging pre-contractual misrepresentation, deceit, negligence, breach of contract and breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986 by developer, solicitors and valuers. Proceeding settled.
Aluminium Anodisers Limited v Henkel New Zealand Limited & Ors (2005) (Auckland High Court) – counsel for plaintiff in proceeding concerning allegations of pre-contractual misrepresentation, breach of contract for sale of goods, equitable estoppel, negligence, breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986 in relation to aluminium anodising machinery. Proceeding settled.
Aviation New Zealand Wing Incorporated v Atchinson, Robertson & Ors as Trustees of the Commemorative Air Force New Zealand Trust Board (2005) (Auckland High Court) – successful originating application for appointment of Public Trust as sole trustee for the Board.
Fifer Residential Ltd v Gieseg & Ors; Fifer Residential Ltd v Kline & Anor (2005) 6 NZCPR 306 - High Court action concerning statutory interpretation of Unit Titles Act 1972, waiver of rights, and contractual issues relating to a proposed further development of a residential apartment building.
PC Power (Wairau Park) Limited v De Silva & Ors (2004) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for successful plaintiffs in search and seizure (Anton Pillar) injunction and damages proceeding. Injunctions granted. Proceeding later settled.
Gilljens Limited v Whale & Anor (2004) (Auckland High Court) – counsel for plaintiff in proceeding concerning allegations of prejudicial conduct under s.174 Companies Act 1993, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of s.149 Companies Act 1993, misrepresentation and breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986. Proceeding settled.
Re Wehipeihana (2004) (New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal) – Junior counsel (to Robert Fardell QC) in successful defence to striking off proceedings.
Appleton & Ors v Attorney-General (2003) (Wellington High Court) – Junior Counsel (to Robert Fardell QC) for plaintiffs in long running litigation culminating in 8 week trial in proceeding in relation to claims under the torts of negligence, Rylands v Fletcher, and nuisance arising from the negligent disposal of toxic chemicals from Woodbourne Airbase into the Wairau Plains aquifer at Blenheim.
Halls Pharmacy Limited v Care and Independence Limited & Anor (2003) (Rotorua High Court) – counsel for defendants in proceeding concerning alleged breach of agreement. Proceeding settled.
Rupert & Donovan v Consumers Institute Of New Zealand Incorporated (2003) (Auckland High Court) – Counsel for plaintiffs in relation to defamation claim. Proceeding settled.
Marino v Rio Beverages Limited & Anor (2002) (Wellington High Court) – Counsel for successful plaintiff in relation to application for Mareva (asset freezing) injunctions.
Marino v Rio Beverages Limited & Anor (2001) (Wellington High Court) – Counsel for plaintiff in long running proceeding concerning alleged wrongful repudiation of contract, breaches of contract, a claim for rectification of an agreement, misrepresentation, equitable estoppel and Breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986 arising out of a beverage distribution agreement and business. Proceeding settled.
BNZ v Austin; BNZ v Norcross & Anor (2001) (Auckland High Court) – Junior counsel (to Robert Fardell QC) in proceedings to enforce underwrite agreements relating to apartments in Auckland. Proceedings settled during trial.
Thomas v Pauanui Publishing Limited & Ors (2001) (Auckland High Court) – counsel for plaintiff in defamation proceeding. Proceeding settled.
Heptinstall v Francken (2001) (Dunedin High Court) – Counsel for defendant in defamation proceeding. Proceeding settled.
Traveller & Anor v McAllum & Anor (2000) (Wellington High Court) – Counsel for first defendant in long running litigation concerning the collapse of South Pacific Shipping Limited (In Liquidation), alleging breaches of director’s duties. Claim against first defendant settled.
Luporini v McDrury (2000) 1 NZLR 652; (2000) 4 NZConv C 193,154; (1999) 9 TCLR 278 (NZCA) - Judgment of Court of Appeal on re-entry and forfeiture of a lease and breach of lease of farm land, acceptance of rent and the doctrine of waiver.
Ferrymead Tavern Ltd & Ors v Christchurch Press Co Ltd (1999) NZAR 529;(1999) 13 PRNZ 616 - Leading High Court case on defendant's summary judgment procedure and on statutory privilege in defamation.
Researched Medicines Industry Association of New Zealand & Anor v Pharmaceutical Management Agency Ltd & Anor (1998) 3 NZLR 12; (1998) 8 TCLR 320 (CA) Judgment of the Court of Appeal on an appeal from adverse finding on preliminary issue. Statutory interpretation of the scope of an exemption contained the Finance Act 1994 in favour of Pharmac in context of competition law claim.
Penn v Ansley & NZ Listener (1997) (Christchurch District Court) – Junior counsel (to Barrie Atkinson QC) for successful plaintiff in two week trial of defamation proceeding concerning publications the sting of which was that the plaintiff was mad and dishonest. Judgment for plaintiff.
Penn v Christchurch Polytechnic & Hercus (1997) (Christchurch District Court) - Junior counsel (to Barrie Atkinson QC) for plaintiff in relation to defamation claim concerning publications the sting of which was that the plaintiff was mad and dishonest. Proceeding settled.
Chris commenced practice as a Barrister Sole at the Independent Bar in 2001 from Southern Cross Chambers. Before that he was a Senior Associate in the litigation department of a large national law firm.
Chris Baird
Level 11, Southern Cross Building
59 – 67 High Street, Auckland 1010
Auckland CBD
P O Box 46220
Herne Bay
Auckland 1047
New Zealand