Bio
Joey James has over a decade of dispute resolution experience, working across a variety of forums for a broad range clients. He is a general litigator with experience in a wide range of matters including insolvency/restructuring, contractual issues, and company law. He is solutions-focused, realistic, unassuming, and pragmatic in his approach to litigation.
Joey’s clients include insolvency practitioners and company executives. His background working in-house at a major London bank gives him a strong commercial footing and a good understanding of his clients’ business drivers.
Joey has a keen interest in sports and has acted for high profile rugby players including several All Blacks. He advises players on national sports contracts in addition to representing them. He also has experience being a member of sporting disciplinary committees.
Recognition
- NZ Law Awards, Insolvency and Restructuring Deal of the Year, Winner, 2023
Qualifications
- LLB, BCom – University of Auckland
- Admitted in New Zealand – 2011
Work highlights
- Prepared papers, appeared in Court, and successfully obtained several injunctions for clients including:
- Anton Piller (Search and Seizure) and interim injunction orders, against former partners and employees of a large building supply company, which were executed at a number of different premises across New Zealand - Sopers Macindoe & Banks LP & Ors v Soper & Ors [2015] NZHC 2881.
- A springboard injunction against three former (de facto) directors and shareholders of a telecommunications software company, prohibiting them from contacting or soliciting clients of the company using its confidential information and holding themselves out as directors of the company - Plumpton v Terry [2015] NZHC 1089.
- “Gagging” orders against individuals threatening to publish disparaging statements about companies/products, which a custodian trustee had invested in.
- Freezing orders against an individual’s assets in relation to a theft from a financial institution – First Credit Union Incorporated v Vaiangina & Ors [2023] NZHC 2639.
- Acted on the first liquidation of an insurer in New Zealand in relation to significant financial claims against the former directors of the business.
- Defended a Middle Eastern investment bank in a$35 million cross-border prejudiced shareholder/minority oppression claim - Teecev Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain) BSC [2017] NZHC 1518.
- Obtained summary judgment in loan recovery proceedings on behalf of a family trust where the duties of security holders was put into issue – R J G Trust v D’Esposito & Anor [2024] NZHC1964
- Acted for New Zealand’s largest credit union, asan intervener, in a case concerning the interpretation of the Friendly Societies and Credit Unions Act, which had a significant impact on what services credit unions are able to provide - Re Osborne [2017] NZHC2806, [2017] NZAR 1637 & [2018] NZHC 546.
- Acted for an advertising agency in proceedings concerning alleged breaches of franchisee/licensee agreements and misuse of intellectual property - Giggle HQ Ltd v Giggle Developments Ltd [2023] NZHC 3564.
- Acted for an officer of an unincorporated society in relation to a novel issue concerning their potential liability where the unincorporated society published an allegedly defamatory statement.
- Acted in proceedings under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.
- Acted for, and advised, various insolvency practitioners in relation to liquidations, receiverships and voluntary administrations.
- Negotiated commercial settlements for numerous businesses operating in a variety of industries avoiding the need for prolonged litigation.
- Advised on claims from SME bank customers as part of a large scale bank remediation scheme.
