Our People

Shane is an experienced litigator, regularly appearing in arbitrations, hearings, trials and on appeals. He has a particular focus on private wealth disputes, commercial disputes and public law. He advises corporates and companies, high-net-worth individuals, trustees/beneficiaries on complex claims. He regularly appears as lead counsel as well as instructing and working with barristers. He quickly understands facts and legal concepts in order to devise a strategy that enables efficient advancement and resolution of a case.

Shane graduated from the University of Canterbury in 2014 with first class honours, winning the University Prize for his year and a number of other prizes. He is highly regarded as a litigator, being ranked in Legal 500 Asia Pacific since 2021 (client comments include: “Shane Campbell is one of the best of his generation - a deep knowledge of the law with strong commercial instincts” (2025) and “Wynn Williams’ Christchurch Dispute Resolution team, headed by Shane Campbell, is exceptional” (2024) and that he is “particularly incisive at developing arguments, and is not afraid to advance cutting edge litigation” (2023)), Chambers; Partners Asia-Pacific, and Chambers Global since 2021 (client comments include that ”Shane is an absolute star and very bright. He understands things very quickly and is realistic. He is a complete package as a litigator” (2025) and that he is “excellent at dealing with serious commercial matters” (2024) and that he is excellent “in dealing with serious commercial matters” (2023)). Shane was also ranked in the inaugural Arbitration Powerlist by Legal 500 in 2022, and has been an excellence awardee at the NZ Law Awards for Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year.

After university Shane was a Judges’ Clerk in the High Court prior to joining Wynn Williams. Shane was a partner at a large national firm from 2020 to 2025 prior to going out on his own. Beyond private practice, Shane regularly contributes to law reform. He writes academically, has tutored and lectured, and previously sat on the Law Society’s Civil Litigation and Tribunals Committee for six years. In the trust and estate space, Shane regularly presents on trusts topics. He has presented at the NZLS Trusts Conference, at various NZLS CLE webinars, and for Legalwise all on issues relating to private wealth and others.

Commercial and Common Law

Representing De Lage Landen in successfully obtaining freezing orders against various defendants in relation to large debts:  De Lage Landen Limited v Reddy [2024] NZHC 3787.

Representing various defendants in relation to allegations of misrepresentation, breaches of consumer laws, and against directors for breaches of duties in relation to obligations:  Bright v Wolfbrook Residential Limited [2024] NZHC 1272.

Franchisee claim:  Representing a former franchisee of a large New Zealand franchise network in the defence of a claim of franchise abandonment and breach of exit provisions.

Representing a New Zealand manufacturer in an anti-suit injunction and damages claim arising from the counter-party commencing proceedings in Australia against the backdrop of an exclusive jurisdiction clause in New Zealand:  A-Ward Limited v Raw Metal Corp Pty Limited [2024] NZHC 1165 and [2024] NZHC 736, [2024] 2 NZLR 47

Representing a businessman in a defamation claim involving allegation of serial rape, that were accepted to be false, with proportionality considerations:  Nicol v Douglas [2024] NZHC 250  (summary judgment and strike out).  Leave to appeal is being sought.  This judgment followed an application for search orders:  Nicol v Douglas [2023] NZHC 1192.

Representing a local authority as plaintiff against a consultancy firm and property developer in relation to an allegedly defective storm water system worth ~$4,000,000.

Representing a local authority as plaintiff in relation to a contractual dispute relating to the interpretation of development agreements and their extent.  Currently proceeding to an arbitral hearing.

Representing a property developer in a quantum dispute following default on purchase of property:  Blackwater Properties Limited v Crawford Group Limited [2024] NZHC 14

Successfully obtaining summary judgment against the defendant for a debt worth more than $1,000,000:  Baba Nyonya Limited v Loh [2024] NZHC 3348 and [2024] NZHC 1774.

Representing minority shareholders in a truffle development company in relation to a claim for contractual shareholder deadlock, liquidation on just and equitable grounds, and prejudiced shareholder relief:  M. S. Dwan Limited v The New Zealand Truffle Company Limited [2023] NZHC 3889.

Representing a property developer in a claim in negligence against a local authority for failing to take reasonable care in its consenting functions.

Representing a purchaser in a claim for breach of warranties, breach of contract, and negligence following the abortive purchase of a business.  Settled at mediation.

Representing the owners of a cherry orchard in a ~$10,000,000 dispute with their orchard manager.

Representing a New Zealand based car importer on a joint venture and partnership dispute arising from diversion of profits:  Pacific Auto Carrier (NZ) Limited v Jacanna Holdings Limited [2023] NZHC 3058 (responding to application for stay on forum grounds).

Representing a global financing company in obtaining debt judgment and successfully defending a wide array of defences including frustration and force majeure:  De Lage Landen Limited v Vasanthan & Company Limited [2023] NZDC 7053.

Representing a purchaser of residential property in successfully resisting the removal of a caveat by a property developer:  Williams v Strategy Development Limited [2023] NZHC 3.

Representing three plaintiffs on a defective building claim against a local authority and various engineers on a $20,000,000 claim.  Only access requests have been addressed to date (Kim v Christchurch City Council [2022] NZHC 1144 and [2022] NZHC 1494.

Representing the primary defendant on a defective building case with a claimed value of more than $155,000,000.

Representing the primary defendant on a defective building case in Queenstown with a claimed values of $75,000,000.  This case settled in October 2021 on the eve of trial.  Several interlocutory cases were involved including successfully upholding, on review, a successful strike-out of a substantial part of the claim:  Body Corporate 355492 v Queenstown Lakes District Council [2022] NZHC 1780 (successfully defending application for review) and [2022] NZHC 1780 (leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal granted).

Representing the New Zealand division of a global logistics company in defending a claim and seeking strike-out / summary judgment in relation to allegations of negligence and breach of contract. The claim succeeded on appeal:  Kerry Logistics (Oceania) Limited v Vienna Group Limited (in liq) [2023] NZCA 536, reversing [2022] NZHC 1473 following leave being granted in [2023] NZHC 846.

Lead counsel in successfully obtaining search orders acting for a national real estate franchise (permanent confidentiality orders apply)

Lead counsel in successfully opposing an application for an interim injunction brought by franchisees against a national franchisor where both sides were alleging and cross-alleging fraud:  DEVGNZ Limited v The Depths LP [2021] NZHC 3398.

Lead counsel in successfully obtaining pre-commencement discovery to ascertain the nature and extent of alleged contractual, fiduciary and confidentiality breaches:  Opes Partners New Zealand Limited v SDOGeneral Limited [2021] NZHC 3147.  Insolvency issues were litigated as part of this proceeding but settled after hearing but before judgment.

Lead counsel in the first successful application for summary judgment against a company for (deemed) unfairly prejudicial conduct arising as a result of a Series A funding round:  Feldman v Dexibit Limited [2021] NZHC 2488.

Lead counsel in bringing a claim against individuals and companies for contractual breaches and arguments over equitable priorities of caveatable interest.  The claim was successful with the client being awarded over $1,000,000 plus indemnity costs:  Powell v K 2 Investment Group Limited [2021] NZHC 2253.  Prior to trial, lead counsel in successfully defending a belated an unmeritorious application for security for costs:  Powell v K2 Investment Group Ltd [2020] NZHC 3181.  Obtaining the assistance of the Court to register a mortgage in the face of non-engagement:  Powell v K2 Investment Group Limited [2022] NZHC 244.

Successfully registering an adjudicator’s determination as a judgment in the District Court following an opposition being filed:  Tailorspace Property Ltd v Identify Consulting Ltd [2021] NZDC 10506.

Junior counsel in successfully opposing an appeal against the strike-out of a CCCFA claim in the Court of Appeal:  Watherston v PGW Rural Capital Limited [2020] NZCA 329, [2020] NZCCLR 25.

Acting as an independent solicitor in the execution of ex parte search orders issued by the Employment Court in relation to alleged breaches of confidential information.  Partially reported in Mataura Valley Milk Limited v Scott [2020] EmpC 120; [2020] EmpC 140.

Lead counsel in successfully resisting an application for specific performance by demonstrating there was consideration for a variation to an agreement:  Gloria Jean’s Coffees International Pty Ltd v Daboko Ltd [2020] NZHC 29.

Lead counsel successfully obtaining an order of wasted costs from lay litigants in a long-running disputed insurance claim:  Nielsen v Earthquake Commission [2019] NZHC 629.

Lead counsel in successfully defending an application for summary judgment for enforcement of a guarantee:  Beneficial Finance Limited v Brown [2017] NZHC 964.

Lead counsel in defending a defendant's application for summary judgment on a claim under the Sale of Goods Act 1908, and for breach of implied terms.  Proceeding settled prior to judgment being issued.

Lead counsel in successfully striking out a NZD 1,000,000 counterclaim for damages based on breach of statutory duty:  De Lage Landen Limited v Crafar [2017] NZHC 1419.

Lead counsel in pursuing guarantors for debt owing pursuant to a contract of guarantee:  De Lage Landen Limited v Crafar [2017] NZHC 1419.

Lead counsel in successfully obtaining a determination against a third-party inspector pursuant to a Construction Contracts Adjudication.

Junior counsel in successfully striking out a claim under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act for alleged oppressive conduct:  Watherston v PGW Rural Capital Limited [2019] NZHC 22. 

Junior counsel in successfully opposing an action for breach of contract, including seeking specific performance, in the context of two different and competing agreements and allegations of fraud:  Gloria Jean’s Coffees International Pty Ltd v Daboko Ltd [2019] NZHC 1097.  The judgment was an interim judgment with further submissions invited on whether consideration is needed for variations to contracts.

Representing Canterbury Regional Council in application for declaratory relief concerning the correct interpretation of a perpetual lease:  Canterbury Regional Council v King House Removals Southland Limited [2018] NZHC 873.

Junior counsel on NZD 4,000,000 – NZD 5,000,000 material damage insurance claim. Successfully settled prior to hearing by obtaining the outcome sought by our client.

Junior counsel in judicial mediation for settlement of long-standing lease dispute.

Junior counsel in NZD 200,000,000 dispute following the aborted acquisition of a large New Zealand company.

Junior counsel defending claims worth NZD 1,000,000 of misrepresentation and misleading conduct following the sale of a business.  Attending mediation as junior counsel.

Junior counsel in contentious costs application following discontinuance of an application for judicial review by an environmental watchdog:  Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc v Northland Regional Council [2019] NZHC 449, [2019] NZAR 587.

Advising a Belgian multi-national corporate on a product liability claim being litigated in London and New Zealand.

Successfully obtaining leave to commence an application for summary judgment out of time and obtaining costs in favour of the client:  Fowler v Selwyn District Council [2021] NZHC 2218; [2021] NZHC 2762 (costs).

Advising a large valuation company on a NZD 18,000,000 third party claim against it including issues of contribution, limitation, and charges against insurance policies.  The total claim was for NZD 180,000,000.  The claim settled after a two-day mediation.

Representing a client on its former solicitor's negligence in failing to confirm an agreement as unconditional.  I have advised many other clients on bringing and defending claims against solicitors.

Advising a large finance company on a claim brought against it for alleged breaches of credit legislation (Consumer Credits and Contracts Finance Act 2003), including available interlocutory steps such as security for costs, strike-out, better pleadings and proper initial disclosure.

Obtaining an ex parte injunction preventing the placement of an offensive object in close proximity to a client's land:  Canterbury Regional Council v Mahon [2017] NZHC 2132.

Equity, trusts, estates and private wealth

Representing professional trustees of a farm-owning trust in relation to a variety of applications, including directions, challenging trustee discretion, and advising on decisions relating to the trust property:  McKean v McKean Family Trustee Limited [2024] NZHC 3297 (proceeding to trial in February 2025).

Successfully obtaining orders relating to the interpretation of a charitable trust deed and excising a non-charitable purpose from the deed: Re Ron and Joan Gillatt Charitable Trust Board [2024] NZHC 3374.

Representing a beneficiary class in relation to an application to remove trustees and a contingent claim in damages in relation to a lease granted at undervalue.

Representing executors and trustees of an estate and trustees of a charitable trust in relation to interpretation and operation of a gift

Representing the beneficiary of a family trust, and a member of a prominent family, in a dispute with his father in relation to capacity and certain other transactions.

Representing a primary beneficiary of the estate of a wealthy NZ and Australian businessman who left assets worth $100,000,000.  The claim advanced was a claim for undue influence and a statutory claim under the Family Protection Act 1955.

Representing a businessman in a dispute with his former partner in the context of a dispute over the nature and extent of a relationship.

Representing a husband in a trust dispute, with assets worth ~$10,000,000 following the breakdown of a relationship and subsequent divorce:  Scarr v van Dorsser [2024] NZFC 436

Representing the daughter of a surgeon in advancing a claim of want and knowledge and approval against the estate, administered by the second wife.

·Successfully resisting a Beddoe application brought by a trustee in relation to claims brought against a trust:  Re Vincent Family Corporate Trust Limited [2021] NZHC 2250.

Successfully obtaining directions as the distribution of surplus estate funds:  Church Property Trustees v Carrell [2021] NZHC 1130.

Representing a Caymanian company seeking the wind up of a trust on the rule in Saunders v Vautier among others:  Auto Net v Tyler [2021] NZHC 542.  Also succeeded in obtaining an award of costs:  Auto Net v Tyler [2021] NZHC 886.

Lead counsel in successfully defending a claim against an estate under the Family Protection Act 1955 where one sibling was seeking to increase her share of an estate from an equal 25 per cent share:  Bennett v Bell [2021] NZFC 1428

Lead counsel in successfully defending an application that 50 per cent of an estate be held on constructive trust due to mirror wills:  McNeish v McArthur [2019] NZHC 3281.

Appearing in the Court of Appeal as junior counsel challenging a refusal to grant an indemnity to trustees who had innocently exceeded their terms:  Re Burnett Mount Cook Station Charitable Trust [2016] NZHC 2669, (2016) 4 NZTR 26-024; Re Burnett Mount Cook Station Charitable Trust [2016] NZHC 2361; Re Burnett Mount Cook Station Charitable Trust [2016] NZHC 2214.

Insolvency

Successfully obtaining permanent injunctive relief against liquidators and a company in liquidation on the basis of a bare trust that had been breached and the rule in Hastings-Bass (permanent confidentiality orders apply).

Representing a 50 per cent shareholder in defending a prejudiced shareholder claim in relation to a property investment company that was in deadlock.  .

Representing a 50 per cent shareholding in an application for liquidation on just and equitable grounds following deadlock:  Holmes v Canterbury Property Services Limited [2023] NZHC 732.

Represented a creditor in successfully liquidating a debtor company owing at least NZD 16.7 million to creditors, with wide-ranging disputes over the relevance of the New Zealand AML / KYC regime to the liquidation:  Arjang v NF Global Limited [2021] NZHC 395.

Lead counsel in successfully resisting a stay application in a liquidation proceeding in the context of Anti-Money Laundering, allegations of fraud and criminality, and others:  Arjang v NF Global Limited [2020] NZHC 2455.

Lead counsel in opposing an application for leave to continue proceedings against a company in liquidation:  JK Trading Ltd v Rimpro-Tec Limited (in liquidation) [2019] NZHC 376.

Public Law

Representing a local authority in defending its freedom camping bylaw on the grounds of legality:  New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Inc v Queenstown Lakes District Council [2024] NZHC 3264 and [2024] NZHC 2729.

Representing a local authority in judicial review proceedings relating to the Queenstown Airport.  Proceedings ongoing.

Representing a developer in relation to an attempted judicial review of a resource consent granted to develop and lease a supermarket building.

Representing a land developer on a judicial review of a decision to sell land and businesses of a local authority to my client.

(2024) Presenter at the NZLS CLE Conference CPD Day on “Company Disputes – Directors’ Duties and Liabilities” (presented by Joshua Taylor)

(2023) Presenter at the Annual New Zealand Law Society Trusts Conference together with Katrina Woods

(2022) Urgent Interim Relief (November 2022, NZLS CLE) (webinar presentation co-presented with Jeremy Johnson)

(2022) Fraudulent Calumny: A Claim (Hitherto) Unknown to New Zealand Shores [2022] NZLJ 233

(2022) Contentious Trusts and Estates (June 2022, NZLS CLE) (webinar presentation co-presented with Jared Ormsby)

(2022) Co-authored the guide to General Powers of Attorney for Practical Law New Zealand (Westlaw)

(2022) Defining Construction:  Can a Contract for ‘Non-Physical’ Works be a Construction Contract in New Zealand (2022) 32(1) Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal 57

(2021) Co-authored the guide to limitation and exclusion of liability for Practical Law New Zealand (Westlaw)

(2021) Is a statutory demand a document in a legal proceeding?  A surprisingly vexed definitional issue finally coming to an end?  (forthcoming in the Insolvency Law Journal)

(2021) Trust Litigation – Common Issues (3 February 2021, NZLS CLE) (webinar presentation co-presented with Janna McGuigan)

(2020) Co-authored the guide to the Trusts Act 2019 for New Zealand Practical Law (Westlaw)

(2020) The Wage Subsidy and Company Liquidations [2020] New Zealand Law Journal 342

(2020) Expert Determination as Dispute Resolution in New Zealand (2020) 30(2) Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal 142

(2018) Co-presenting an internal trusts litigation day, on issues for trustees in litigation

(2018) Executors and Trustees of Estates: An Obligation to Invite Adverse Claims Against an Estate? [2018] NZLJ 75

(2017) Solicitors Undertakings: What they are and Consequences for Failing to Abide Them [2017] NZLJ 348

(2017) Fetters upon the Exercise of Contractual Discretion [2017] New Zealand Law Journal 141

(2017) Case Review: Real Finance Ltd v Setefano [2017] New Zealand Law Journal 38

(2016) Into the River of Censorship? [2016] New Zealand Law Journal 75

(2016) Costs in civil litigation (December 2016, NZLS CLE) (webinar presentation)

(2015) Procedural Non-Compliance and Want of Prosecution in Criminal Appeals [2015] New Zealand Law Journal 349

(2015) Reviewing Costs in Public Interest Litigation [2015] New Zealand Law Journal 246

(2015) Habeas Corpus and Some Procedural Bumps in the Road [2015] New Zealand Law Journal 197

(2014) Discharge Without Conviction for First Time Young Offenders [2014] New Zealand Law Journal 430

(2014) The Rise and Evolution of the McKenzie Friend [2014] New Zealand Law Journal 326

(2013) Title to Life: Time for Reform” (2013) 32(4) Medicine and Law 503)