Mike Colson KC
Barristermike.colson@stoutstreet.co.nz+64 21 429 625Personal WebsiteLinkedIn ProfilePersonal CVPractice Areas
Education
- LLB – Victoria University – 1991
- BCA (Accounting) – Victoria University – 1991
Bio
Mike practises in commercial litigation with a particular expertise in insolvency, energy, property and contractual disputes. He also acts on constitutional and Te Tiriti matters.
Mike has appeared in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court in a number of leading reported cases in these areas.
He has been consistently recommended in leading law directories.
Mike joined the independent bar in 2017 and took Silk in 2021. Prior to that he spent the majority of his career at Bell Gully including 16 years as a partner. He worked at Herbert Smith in London from 1995 to 1996. He has lectured in banking law at Victoria University.
Mike also practices in Wellington from Stout Street Chambers.
Case Highlights
- Kapa-Kingi v Tamihere [2025] 3 NZLR 745: Reinstatement of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi as a Te Pati Māori MP.
- Tau v A-G: Acting for Crown in relation to Ngai Tahu seeking a declaration that they have kaitiakitanga over all South Island freshwater including the right to charge economic rent. This case is of constitutional importance. Judgment awaited.
- Dryland Carbon v Leckie: Derivative action and oppression claim in relation to breaches of fiduciary duty by directors of a carbon investment fund. This is one of the few such claims to go to trial. Currently on appeal.
- Methanex v Nova [2024] 3 NZLR 167: Opposing injunction to continue supply on NZ’s largest gas supply contract.
- Simons v ANZ [2024] 3 NZLR 485: Acting for a litigation funder in an appeal concerning the ability of the Court to impose common funding orders in New Zealand.
- TOKMv A-G [2025] 2 NZLR 382: Acting for the Crown on a challenge to the implementation of the historic Treaty fisheries settlement.
What Others Say
Mike is ranked Band 2 Chambers and Partner's Asia-Pacific and Global Guides 2026 for Dispute Resolution: The Bar. He has ranked consistently since being called to the Bar in 2017.
"Mike is a first-class barrister. He is brilliant on his feet, hugely commercial and with a constant eye on client interests and overall strategy".
"Mike Colson is an excellent lawyer, particularly when faced with complex matters. He is one of the most commercially minded lawyers I have ever worked with".
Mike is recognised in the 2026 Doyles Guide as a Leading Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution King's Counsel in New Zealand.
Publications
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Memberships
RITANZ
NZBA