James Turner

James is a skilled lawyer who specialises in helping businesses and individuals resolve disputes and navigate their legal obligations.

He has experience in a wide range of areas including leases, agreements, contracts, employment matters, and relationships.

He also represents clients in courts and tribunals and helps them recover any money owed.

He provides general employment advice and acts as an external Human Resources resource for a number of small business clients and employees.

James takes a personalised approach to working with clients and provides practical, pragmatic and timely advice. He understands that litigation is not always the best option and can suggest alternative methods such as negotiation, mediation, or dialogue with the other party.

He is aware of the cost of legal services and will keep you informed about how costs are tracking against the estimate to prevent any surprises.

Choose James if you're looking for a lawyer who can analyze your problem, communicate difficult concepts clearly, and find solutions.

James has always been passionate about litigation and dispute resolution, honing his skills through speech competitions in school and advocacy at university. After honing his craft at the Crown Law Office in Wellington, he joined McVeagh Fleming in 1994.

Seeking new challenges, James moved to London in 1996 where he gained valuable experience working with top firms such as Sidley Austin and Beachcrofts.

In 2004, he returned to McVeagh Fleming and was made a partner in 2007. With years of experience and a proven track record, James is a respected and skilled litigator.

BA, Victoria University of Wellington 1990

LLB, Victoria University of Wellington 1992

Admitted to the New Zealand Bar, 1993

Qualified as a Solicitor of England and Wales, 1998

• Member of Auckland District Law Society
• Member of New Zealand Law Society  
• Member of Te Horonuku Mountain Sports Club

Non-contentious

                       
• Assisting employers in creating and implementing employee handbooks and policies. Providing guidance on health and safety matters, including navigating a prosecution brought by the Department of Labour after an employee's death on the job. He aided the employer throughout the OSH investigation and was able to resolve the case without the need for a formal hearing.

Contentious

                       
• Represented a company successfully in obtaining a judgment in a fraud case.
• Acted as Counsel for multiple employer companies in the Employment Relations Authority in Auckland and the Employment Tribunal in Whangarei, successfully defending them against personal grievance claims from employees regarding unjustified dismissal and wage arrears on at least three occasions.

Some noted cases as representative or advocate;

Scandle v Far North District Council (CA) (2011)

Northbridge Holdings Ltd v Commissioner of Inland Revenue (2011) 25 NZTC 20-035

Scandle v Far North District Council 30 July 2010 High Court, Whangarei Duffy J 33 TCL 33/2

Satnam Investments Ltd v Worger (2009) 10 NZCPR 235

Wall v Malone 20 July 2010 Weathertight Homes Tribunal [2010] NZWHT Auckland 21

Evans v Commissioner of Inland Revenue (CA); Commissioner of Inland Revenue v Evans (2008) 23 NZTC 22, 013

Tempus Fugit Systems Ltd v Team Progress Ltd 3 May 2006 High Court, Auckland [2006] BCL 749

Harris v Attorney-General 5 July 2006 High Court, Auckland [2006] BCL 655; 29 TCL 31/6

McGowan v Programmed Maintenance Services Ltd 29 June 2009, Employment Relations Authority, Christchurch CA91/09

Heller v Atlas Quarries Ltd 26 July 2010, Employment Relations Authority, Auckland AA199A/10

Blake v Senate Nursing Bureau Ltd 28 October 2008, Employment Relations Authority, Auckland AA369/08

Garrett v Tempus Fugit Systems Ltd 10 April 2008 Employment Relations Authority, Auckland AA134/08

Centurion GSM Ltd (t/a Digital Mobile) v McCarthy 25 June 2007 Employment Court, Auckland AC38/07

Ward v Maccol Developments Ltd 21 August 2007, Weathertight Homes Resolution Service, Claim No 823

Don v G R International Ltd 21 December 2005, High Court, Auckland AJ Sargisson 29 TCL 9/3

Fox v Atlas Quarries Ltd 28 August 2007, Employment Relations Authority, Auckland AA265/07

Harris v Atlas Concrete Ltd 19 December 2005, Employment Relations Authority, Auckland AA488/05

Holtz v Meierhofer [2005] DCR 97

Creative Intelligence Associates v Adams Unreported Employment Court (AEC87/95)

Greenberg v Manhattan Licensing Ltd Unreported Employment Court (AEC111/95)

In his free time, James loves to stay active and enjoy sports like snow skiing and playing social football. He's also a proud dad of two young children and cherishes every moment he gets to spend with them, watching them grow and learn.