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Robert Dobson KC

Commercial Arbitrator and Mediator

021 475 737

rad@robertdobson.co.nz

18 Central Terrace

Kelburn

Wellington 6012

Profile

After retiring from the High Court in December 2020, I commenced practice as a commercial arbitrator and mediator. Between February and August 2022 I was an acting Judge of the Court of Appeal, and since finishing at the Court I have resumed practice.

A staple part of my work in the High Court for 13 years was deciding a wide range of commercial disputes, as well as tax, regulatory cases and judicial review. I was a member of the Commercial Panel of the High Court from its inception in 2017 until my retirement and that work involved somewhat more management of complex commercial cases as well as the substantive hearings and judgments in such cases.

During my term in the Court of Appeal I wrote and contributed to a wide range of judgments in civil and criminal appeals.

I am a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Fiji and also a member of the Court of Appeal of the Pitcairn Islands.

Click here for a summary of examples of my decisions in commercial litigation.

In 1990, I completed mediation and negotiation workshops at Harvard Law School under the direction of Professor Frank Sanders. I conducted numerous mediations whilst at the Bar.

I am an Associate Member of Stout Street Chambers.

Career Summary

  • 2021, September 2022-currently — Commercial arbitrator and mediator.

  • February-August 2022 — Acting Judge of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand

  • 2007-2020 — Judge of the High Court of New Zealand

    • 2017-2020 — Member of the Commercial Panel from its inception

    • 2016-2020 — Member (2016-2018) and Chair (2018-2020) of the Rules Committee

    • 2013-2020 — Member (2013-2015) and Chair (2015-2020) of Judiciary’s Legislation and Law Reform Committee

  • 1990-2007 — In practice as a barrister sole, undertaking a range of commercial, securities, tax and competition litigation

    • 2003-2004 — Chair, New Zealand Bar Association

    • 1998 — Took silk

    • 1990 — Mediation and negotiation workshops, Harvard Law School with Professor Frank Sanders

  • 1976 - 1990 — Partner in Rudd Watts & Stone (subsequently Minter Ellison) and a constituent firm