David Collins
Senior Associate
David is a Senior Associate in the Regulatory Group. He specialises in regulatory enforcement litigation and has acted in numerous prosecutions, civil enforcement proceedings, appeals and judicial reviews. He has expertise assisting local authorities and government agencies to develop solutions to complex and contentious regulatory and policy problems.
David appears regularly in relation to enforcement proceedings in the District Court, Environment Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. His experience also includes representing clients in Council hearings, negotiations, and mediations. David regularly delivers training to investigative and legal staff, and provides guidance on the development of regulatory enforcement policies.
Prior to joining MC, David was the Principal Solicitor specialising in Enforcement at Auckland Council Legal Services (Ngā Ratonga Ture). In that role he led a team of enforcement solicitors and was responsible for managing a large portfolio of enforcement litigation in Tāmaki Makaurau.
- Prosecuted complex multi-site environmental offending following a major investigation involving multiple search warrants and production orders. Appeared in associated litigation in the District Court, Environment Court and High Court, which resulted in multiple enforcement orders, costs awards, and significant deterrent penalties.
- Advised a local authority responding to urgent interventions necessary to address risks posed by an immediately dangerous heritage building and related implications under the Resource Management Act 1991. Negotiated successful recovery of significant remediation costs incurred by the local authority to address the risk.
- Advised a local authority on the drafting and programmed statutory review of a wide range of bylaws adopted under the Local Government Act 2002.
LLB/BA, University of Auckland
