Theo is a New Zealand qualified lawyer with experience advising contractors, subcontractors, and employers in both contentious and non-contentious issues. Theo’s experience includes in-project advice, adjudications, arbitration, and New Zealand court proceedings, as well as advising on various contracting and commercial arrangements for clients.
Specialist expertise
Examples of Theo's expertise include:
- providing ongoing in-project advice to a main contractor on a major infrastructure project at a New Zealand Air Force Base relating to extension of time claims, variation claims, and potential adjudication proceedings;
- acting for main contractor in a New Zealand High Court proceeding relating to alleged defective earthquake repairs;
- acting for an international manufacturer in a New Zealand High Court proceeding brought by a prospective landlord for wrongful termination of an agreement to lease;
- acting for an Australian civil contractor in an international arbitration proceeding relating to disputes under a contract for a marina in the Pacific Islands, issues included delay and disruption claims and direct cost claims;
- acting for main contractors in various adjudication proceedings in New Zealand, claims relating to delay and disruption, under-certification of subcontractor claims, termination, debt due (“smash and grab”) claims, variation, and P&G thickening claims;
- assisting main contractors and employers draft and negotiate construction contracts and consultancy agreements, for a range of projects, including hospitals, data centres, and demolition works.
Other activities and memberships
- member of the New Zealand Law Society.