Aidan has a broad commercial and civil litigation practice, with a special interest in resource management and environmental law.
Aidan provides advice and advocacy services to a broad spectrum of clients, from top-10 NZX listed firms to sole traders and SMEs, as well as to private clients. He appears frequently in the senior Courts, as well as in commercial arbitrations, and applies a solutions-focused and forensic approach to dispute resolution.
Aidan commenced practice at Russell McVeagh, one of New Zealand’s leading law firms, where he worked as a Senior Solicitor in the firm’s General Litigation and Environment, Planning and Natural Resources teams.
Aidan joined Bankside Chambers as a Member in 2022, following four years as an Employed Barrister working with Kate Davenport QC, Derek Nolan QC, Simon Foote QC and Rowan Butler on complex commercial, environmental and trust and estate litigation.
Aidan graduated from the University of Otago with an LLB and BA in Māori Studies. While at Otago, Aidan attained fluency in Te Reo Māori. He has acted for a number of rūnanga and pre and post-settlement governance entities, including in the Waitangi Tribunal and in Treaty settlement negotiations.
Aidan is available to take instructions both as sole and junior counsel.
McCallum v McCallum [2021] NZCA 237
Acted for the respondent trustees and executors in an appeal against the grant of Beddoe orders in a major trust and estate dispute, alongside Andrew Butler. The judgment is the leading statement on Beddoe orders in New Zealand.
Christiansen v Director-General of Health [2020] 2 NZLR 588
Represented the applicant, alongside Simon Foote QC, in urgent judicial proceedings challenging decisions preventing him from leaving COVID-19 managed isolation to visit his dying father. The application was successful.
Birchfield & Ors v Birchfield Holdings Ltd & Ors [2021] NZCA 428
Junior counsel for the appellant, alongside Kate Davenport QC, in an appeal which clarified the application of the principle in O’Neill v Phillips in prejudiced shareholder claims in New Zealand.
J v J (2020-2021)
Acted for the respondent, alongside Kate Davenport QC, in appeals raising complex conflict of laws issues relating to the determination of contemporaneous relationship property and trust claims in New Zealand and Texas.
R J Davidson Family Trust v Marlborough District Council (2015-2018)
Acted for the appellant before the Environment Court and Court of Appeal in an appeal which redefined the proper approach to the determination of resource consents and the meaning of the term “subject to Part 2” in s 104 of the Resource Management Act 1991.
Ōtara Network Action Committee Inc v Auckland Council
Acted for the respondent, the Mahitahi Kainga Trust, alongside Derek Nolan QC, in a judicial review of decisions granting resource consent to the Trust for a papakāinga development in Ōtara.