International Law

International Law and Negotiations

Extensive practical experience in developing, implementing, providing advice and adjudicating International Law

Broad experience in negotiating bilateral, regional and multilateral negotiations covering all areas of international law

Legal and diplomatic career with the New Zealand foreign service 1988-2015 reaching highest levels in government

Special Adviser, Review of the Intelligence and Security Act
New Zealand Chief International Legal Adviser 2011-2015 providing international legal advice to Government across a wide range of international legal issues.
Agent and Advocate for New Zealand before the International Court of Justice in Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v Japan, New Zealand Intervening).
Counsel for New Zealand before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
Counsel for the New Zealand Government before the Inquiry into Operation Burnham on issues of detention in non-international armed conflict.
Independent panellist in disputes before the World Trade Organisation and Counsel in WTO disputes where New Zealand was a principal and third party.
Expert witness before the New Zealand Waitangi Tribunal on investment obligations and interpretation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

New Zealand Head of Delegation to numerous multilateral and bilateral negotiations, including:
Ad Hoc Informal Working Group on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction;
Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute;
Bilateral diplomatic assurances in relation to extradition with China;
FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing;
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention;
South Pacific Driftnet Fishing Convention.