Partner - Auckland
Julia Carlyon
Julia is a skilled commercial litigator with expertise in product liability and contractual disputes.
Julia is a skilled commercial litigator with expertise in product liability and contractual disputes.
Expertise
About
Julia acts for a wide range of clients, including large government departments, financial market regulators, public companies, and private property owners.
She is highly experienced in both long-term and large-scale litigation, having managed multiple claims arising from a single breach, including the first product liability claim brought by the Ministry of Education seeking remediation on 800 buildings across 300 schools, which was ultimately settled.
In London, prior to joining MC, she acted for a subsidiary of Yukos Oil on a number of fraud cases, seeking to recover US$50 million across various jurisdictions.
Julia is very responsive and thorough in the advice she gives clients on breach of contract and banking arrangements, product liability, negligence, breach of warranty, and tort claims.
She works across a range of formal dispute and resolution procedures – from litigation at all levels of New Zealand’s courts, to arbitration and adjudication, and alternative dispute resolution processes.
Recent Cases & Achievements
Ministry of Education v Carter Holt Harvey & Ors (various cases)
First true product liability claim in New Zealand brought by the Ministry of Education seeking to recover losses suffered as a result of defective cladding on school buildings. Established that cladding manufacturers owed a duty of care to end users. Acted for the Ministry of Education.
Forsgren NZ Ltd v Restaurant Brands Ltd [2020] NZCA
Trial and appeal of Forsgren's attempt to retain funds payable on sale of business.
Ministry of Education Defective Building Litigation
Acted for the Ministry of Education in its successful defective building litigation programme, including the management of multiple legal claims.
Financial Markets Authority Procedures
Acted for the Financial Markets Authority to assess and help develop its discovery and disclosure procedures.
Defective Buildings and Constructions Contract Disputes
Acted for private property owners and developers on various property issues, including defective buildings, construction contracts and property issues.
Credentials
Admitted as NZ & UK Barrister and Solicitor, 2008
LLB, University of Otago