Michael Taylor

Partner

Auckland

Litigation

+64 9 367 8819 DDI [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-taylor-29a25a72/

Profile

Michael is recognised as a leading partner specialising in construction, infrastructure, arbitration and related areas of professional liability. He practiced at the London commercial bar for over 15 years at a leading construction set, before joining Russell McVeagh.

Michael is much sort after and highly regarded by clients, and is described in the directories as "a superb construction lawyer" with "commercial awareness and strategic insight, along with an eye for detail", who "gets results."

Michael advises and represents clients in all manner of construction disputes. He regularly acts in largescale, complex cases. He enjoys highly technical cases, especially those involving large teams of experts and is an experienced cross-examiner. He has significant experience of insolvency-related construction disputes.

Michael acts regularly on construction adjudications, arbitrations and in commercial litigation.

Related expertise

Litigation

Real Estate & Property

Construction

Technology & Digital

Experience

Michael's experience includes:

Acting for the principal in a mixed commercial and residential development, successfully resisting multimillion dollar adjudication claims by the head contractor.
Acting for large Australian contractor on multimillion adjudication arising from infrastructure project.
Acting for plaintiffs in substantial and high-profile class action relating to combustible cladding (High Court, Court of Appeal).
Acting for the receivers of the Orange H (formerly Hawkins) group of companies.
Acting and advising on various cases involving calling, or resisting calls on, performance bonds (High Court).
Acting for successful New Zealand property fund in professional negligence claim against architect.

Counsel for New Zealand property fund in substantial arbitration with building contractor under NZS 3910.
Acting for blue chip developer in relation to dispute with anchor tenant.
Advising a utilities company in relation to a dispute arising from seismic strengthening works.

Insights

Recognition

Michael was ranked as Leading Junior Counsel in The Legal 500 UK and Chambers & Partners UK, and is recognised as a Leading Partner in the Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2025 Guide, and is ranked in the Best Lawyers® New Zealand Guide, and Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2025 Guide.