sarah wroe - barrister

I am a skilled litigator with over 20 years’ international experience.  I am an experienced trial advocate and am experienced in mediation and negotiated settlements.   

I work with clients to resolve and avoid disputes. I provide advice and advocacy to individuals, corporations and trustees across New Zealand and overseas. 

I understand that facing litigation can be the most stressful event in a person’s life.  I will support you through the uncertainty in an open and transparent way.  I work with a wide range of experts and experienced instructing solicitors to ensure that you get first class representation.

Qualifications and Experience

I studied law at the University of Cambridge and graduated as a Bachelor Scholar having been awarded a First in my final year.  I began my legal career as a barrister in England, winning a scholarship from Gray’s Inn, London.  During my 7 years of practice in England I appeared at every tier of the judicial system up to the Court of Appeal, specialist tribunals and Coroner’s Court.  On emigrating to New Zealand I used my expertise in negligence law to represent owners of leaky buildings as a lay advocate before being admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand in 2011.  My practice now includes property and construction disputes, insurance and general commercial litigation, especially contractual disputes, and sports law.  

If you are facing a dispute in relation to a property, whether it be sale and purchase, misrepresentations, construction defects, or leasing, I can help.  I will make the process easier, understandable and above all as successful as possible.

Leaky Building and construction defects

In practice as a solicitor I have acted for body corporates in multi-million dollar construction defect claims including structural and leaky building defects. Since 2009 I have recovered over $22Million for 110+ claimants in building defects claims. I have also defended developers, pre-purchase inspectors, manufacturers and construction companies in claims against them in the courts, Weathertight Homes Tribunal and in Construction Contracts Act claims.

Shared ownership claims

Cross lease disputes, unit title disputes, and joint ownership claims including resulting or constructive trusts.

 TRUSTS AND ESTATES DISPUTES

Including Testamentary Promises Act claims; disputes in relation to distribution of a will; replacement of trustees and breach of trust claims.

commercial litigation

My general practice covers contract disputes, negligence, debt recovery, trustee disputes, claims under the Fair Trading Act, claims against guarantors, insurance litigation and cross-jurisdictional disputes including forum non conveniens applications.

I have acted for clients in Europe, Australia and Hong Kong on commercial matters.

I can assist with urgent applications, interim orders, summary judgment and judicial review.

INSURANCE LITIGATION

I have acted for insurers and policy holders.  I provide advice on coverage issues and representation through any insurance related dispute, with an emphasis on property damage and business interruption, claims against professionals seeking cover under professional indemnity insurance (PII) and life insurance.   

Examples oF work:

• Acting with senior counsel for a body corporate in Christchurch on an earthquake and construction defects dispute, settling the multi-million dollar claim at the start of a six week trial.

• Representing an insurer in a claim concerning fraud on a life policy.

• I have advised insurers on drafting issues with their policies and have assisted policyholders seeking to understand and recover their entitlements.

sPORTS LAW

As a member of the Sports Tribunal Legal Assistance panel I offer low-cost representation for athletes in hearings before The Tribunal.

I accept instructions in relation to anti-doping rule violations, selection appeals, disciplinary matters and other sports-related disputes.

Peer reviewed article: “The Interpretation and Application of Article 10.11.1 of the World Anti-Doping Code in Non-Analytical Violation Proceedings: Substantial Delay and the Discretion to Backdate the Starting Date for a Sanction” Australia New Zealand Sports Law Journal 2017 - 2018