Dr Simon Foote KC begins his two-year term as President of the New Zealand Bar Association Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture (NZBA) today, Thursday 1 October 2026.
Simon served on the Association's Council from 2015 to 2023, including as Vice-President (Auckland) from 2020 to 2023. During this time, he made a significant contribution to the Association's governance and strategic direction, including establishing the Association’s Access to Justice Award following his co-authorship of the Association’s 2018 report on access to justice. In 2025, Simon returned to Council as President-Elect.
"These are dynamic times for the independent bar,” says Simon. “The bar has grown and diversified markedly since I became a barrister in 2002. As a result, our role in the justice system is ever more important and the Association's obligations to its members and its opportunities to promote its objectives have likewise increased considerably.”
Photo credit: NZBA
"I am excited to lead the Association in supporting its members through education, professional growth, practice development and wellbeing, while continuing our work to promote and protect the rule of law and improve access to justice. I look forward to working with barristers throughout Aotearoa to better understand their challenges, support their work, and strengthen their connection with the Association. I hope to meet and engage with as many members as possible over the next two years.”
Simon has practised as a barrister sole since 2002 and was appointed King’s Counsel in 2019. His practice spans commercial and civil litigation, arbitration and public law, with particular experience in complex construction and engineering disputes, investment treaty arbitration and disputes across the primary, marine and property sectors.
He has also been appointed as an arbitrator in domestic and international arbitrations and is a panel prosecutor for the Manukau Crown Solicitor’s office.
Simon holds a PhD in law from Victoria University of Wellington, with his thesis The Bona Fide Investor on corporate nationality and treaty shopping in investment treaty law published by Wolters Kluwer in 2022.
Simon succeeds Paul David KC as President. Simon is the second Bankside Chambers member to hold the presidency, following Judge Kate Davenport KC (President, 2018–2020).
Photo credit: NZBA
Comment