Since 2004 Hon Robert Fisher QC has been a self-employed arbitrator and adjudicator. He is an appellate judge in Kiribati, Tuvalu, Samoa and Cook Islands. Robert has written a series of reports to Government on petitions for pardon and compensation for wrongful imprisonment, domain name expert.

Education

  • LLB - Victoria University of Wellington, 1965
  • LLM – Victoria University of Wellington, 1966
  • Research visitor – University of Southhampton, 1975 and 1976
  • LLD - Victoria University of Wellington, 1984
  • Yachtmaster (Ocean) – Ministry of Transport (Marine Div), 1985
  • Fullbright Scholar – Federal Judicial Center, Washington, 1994

Bio

Since 2004 Hon Robert Fisher KC has been a self-employed arbitrator and adjudicator. He is an appellate judge in Kiribati, Tuvalu, Samoa and Cook Islands. Robert has written a series of reports to Government on petitions for pardon and compensation for wrongful imprisonment, domain name expert.

Between 1989 and 2004 he was Judge of the High Court of New Zealand, Chair of the New Zealand Rules Committee, Supervising Judge of Commercial List, Executive and Senior Judge of Auckland High Court, and divisional member of the New Zealand Court of Appeal.

Between 1962 and 1989 he was a solicitor, partner, barrister and Queen's Counsel in Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland.

Case Highlights

Significant arbitrations and mediations

Details unavailable due to confidentiality of arbitrations and mediations.


Evidence Act 2006

Special adviser to Parliament on 2005 Evidence Bill.


Bain Report 2012

Report to Minister of Justice on compensation claim by David Bain.


Punitia v Tutuila [2014] WSCA 1

Presided on Samoan Court of Appeal’s judgment holding that Constitution overrides village’s right to banish its citizens.


Webb v Webb [2017] CKCA 4

Presided on Cook Islands Court of Appeal judgment re objective nullity in family trusts.


Haig Report 2008

Report to Minister of Justice on compensation claim by Rex Haig following his book 'Rough Justice'.


Teonea v Pule o Kaupule [2009] TVCA 2

A majority judgment in Tuvalu Court of Appeal upholding Brethren’s constitutional right to religious freedom.

What Others Say

Publications

  • Arbitrators (Chapter 24, Professional Responsibility in New Zealand (2015) LexisNexis) (co-author).
  • Fisher on Matrimonial Property (2nd ed, Butterworths, Wellington, 1984) (now looseleaf ed, LexisNexis) (Editor-in-Chief).
  • Laws of New Zealand Consulting editor.
  • Evidence – How it Works (New Zealand Law Society, 2004) (co-author).
  • NZ Halsbury Commentary on Patents Butterworths (1988).
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Memberships

  • Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of NZ (Fellow)
  • Auckland District Law Society
  • Building Disputes Tribunal
  • Lawyers for Climate Action
  • NZ Law Society
  • NZ Bar Assoc
  • NZ Dispute Resolution Centre