Richard regularly appears as counsel at all levels of the general court system from the District Court to the Supreme Court, and in various specialist courts and tribunals such as the Environment Court, the Coroners Court, the Land Valuation Tribunal, the Waitangi Tribunal and assorted disciplinary tribunals and in arbitrations.
In addition to involvement across a broad span of civil trials and appeals, Richard’s practice includes the following areas of particular experience:
Richard has been appointed by government to chair three Special Tribunals to hear and determine applications for Water Conservation Orders, and by local authorities on more than 200 occasions to hear and determine applications for resource consents. He holds a Chairperson’s Certificate under the ‘Making Good Decisions’ accreditation.
He has been appointed by various crown entities to conduct investigations and provide reports on issues confronting such entities.
He has been the president of the Wellington District Law Society, and subsequently chairperson of the Wellington committee of the New Zealand Law Society.
Richard has maintained a lifelong interest and involvement in volleyball and is currently president of Capital City Volleyball Inc.
He is also a trustee/owner of a significant Tasman Scenic Reserve and has twice served as chair of the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust.
Two High Court trials for Iwi groups against the Crown as to terms of Treaty settlements.
A High Court trial and appeal for breaches of obligations of confidence and privacy.
Judicial review application hearings in the High Court in respect of professional discipline decisions, statutory agency gambling determinations and decisions of government departments and state agencies.
A 17 week High Court Trial for 140 plaintiffs in weather-tightness claims.
One High Court trial, a Court of Appeal hearing and a Supreme Court hearing as to the validity and effect of registered covenants.
Four defamation High Court trials (both judge alone and with a jury) for plaintiffs and defendants.
Appeals to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court for Iwi groups opposed to offshore seadbed mining consents.
A six-week hearing of an application for a Water Conservation Order.
Two Land Valuation Tribunal hearings in respect of compensation claims under the Public Works Act.
One trial representing the government of Tokelau to defend a claim in the High Court of Tokelau.
Four High Court and then two Court of Appeal hearings on relationship property issues and the setting aside of trusts and trust dispositions.
Four High Court trials and two appeals to the Court of Appeal in respect of challenges (or defence to challenges) of trustees’ or executors’ decisions.
Two Coroners Court hearings of 3-4 days each on behalf of families.
A four-week hearing of an application to the Waitangi Tribunal in respect of iwi freshwater proprietary rights.
Two multi-day arbitrations to determine land valuations for compensation under Treaty settlements.
You can contact Richard at website@richardfowler.co.nz