Geoffrey Beresford

Geoffrey is a civil and commercial litigator who provides objective and methodical advice to people who are experiencing difficult situations.   He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2006, after obtaining a conjoint BA (majoring in Ethics) LLB (Hons) and an LLM with First Class Honours in Public Law from the University of Auckland.

Geoffrey began his legal career acting for the owners of leaky buildings and helping them to resolve complex and technical claims.   He has also defended councils, insurers, and insured businesses in a wide range of scenarios.  Geoffrey typically acts for clients who are dealing with breaches of contract, negligence, or nuisances, or who need legal guidance to deal with unexpected problems.    He also defends clients from claims alleging wrongdoing and seeking compensation.   His clients’ problems are often resolved through negotiation, very sensibly written letters, or the use alternative forms of dispute resolution (such as mediation or negotiation) to obtain a resolution.  Sometimes, however, going to Court is unavoidable.   Whatever the process, Geoffrey helps his clients by guiding them, advising them, and by fearlessly advocating for them.

Geoffrey always strives to achieve excellent results for clients.   He is highly principled but practical and commercial.

• Litigation
• Property Disputes
• Building Disputes
• Defending Regulatory Enforcement
• Public Policy & Law Reform

• Examples of Geoffrey's practice include that he has:
• Assisted homeowners and bodies corporate to achieve cash settlements of complex and high value claims for compensation.
• Acted for (or sued) architects, builders, bodies corporate, councils, developers, directors, engineers, farmers, fishermen, foresters, homeowners, insurers, insureds, lessees, lessors, marine architects, painters, plasterers, pre-purchase inspectors, product manufacturers, property purchasers, real estate agents, roofers, reinsurers, solicitors, tax agents, and vendors of property.
• Defended a wide range of tradesmen and professionals from allegations of wrongdoing or negligence brought against them.
• Advised insurers, insureds, and reinsurers on a range of professional indemnity, statutory liability, and product liability issues.
• Worked with solicitors in Australia, the United Kingdome and other jurisdictions on cross-jurisdictional matters.  This includes obtaining an order for the New Zealand High Court to enforce a civil judgment issued by the Krasnogorsk City Court of the Moscow Region.
• Defended solicitors and real estate agents against complaints of negligence and disciplinary investigations.  This includes secured a minimal fine for a solicitor who acted for both sides to a property transaction and had “incurably tainted the transaction”.  He also, with Adam Ross KC, defended a firm of solicitors against multiple allegations of dishonest assistance, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and fraud in a High Court trial which lasted for over 9 weeks.
• Assisted businesses to responded to investigations, and defended prosecutions, by WorkSafe or Maritime New Zealand under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
• Defended businesses and individuals in environmental prosecutions alleging contraventions of the Resource Management Act 1991.

• Spiridonov v Stepanov [2020] NZHC 3271
• WorkSafe New Zealand v Affordable Scaffolding (2010) Ltd [2019] NZDC 7566
• Club Marine (NZ) Ltd v Quadrant Yachts Ltd [2019] NZHC 48
• Burgess v Monk [2017] NZHC 3255 (No 6) (juniored)
• Burgess v Monk [2017] NZHC 2732 (No 5) (juniored)
• Burgess v Monk [2017] NZHC 2618 (No 4) (juniored)
• Burgess v Monk [2017] NZHC 2424 (No 2) (juniored)
• WorkSafe New Zealand v Hydrotech Ltd [2017] NZDC 11920.
• Auckland Council v Protective Paints Ltd [2017] NZDC 8238
• Norris Ward McKinnon v Kaye [2016] NZHC 3089
• Strictly Body Corporate Ltd v Kraan 14/012/UT (Tenancy Tribunal)
• Lee v Composite Cladding & Signage Manufacture and Installations Ltd [2013] NZHC 354
• Lee v Composite Cladding & Signage Manufacture and Installations Ltd [2012] NZCA 579
• Composite Cladding & Signage Manufacture and Installations Ltd v Lee DC Auckland, 16 August 2012
• Turner v Sigglekow [2012] NZHC 2101
• Body Corporate 169791 v Auckland City Council HC Auckland, 8 February 2011 (“Farnham Terraces”)
• Lee v Composite Cladding & Signage Manufacture and Installations Ltd HC Whangarei, 16 December 2010
• Body Corporate 195843 v North Shore City Council HC Auckland, 28 October 2010 (“the Grange”) (juniored)
• Body Corporate 183523 v Tony Tay & Associates Ltd HC Auckland, 30 March 2009 (juniored)
• Creak v Body Corporate 180838 HC Auckland, 21 April 2008 (juniored)