- South Africa 2010, New Zealand 2023
- Member of The Law Association (formerly Auckland District Law Society)
Rob honed his litigation skills at a prominent Insurance Litigation firm in Durban, South Africa. During his tenure there, he served as lead counsel for two national insurers, handling a diverse range of cases with proficiency and diligence.
Upon relocating to New Zealand, Rob transitioned to a more commercial practice, catering to the needs of small to medium-sized businesses and private clients. He worked in various areas, including trusts, business sales, residential and commercial conveyancing, estates, leases, and employment disputes. This diverse experience equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape, enabling him to offer tailored solutions to his clients.
Rob’s true passion lies in resolving disputes. This passion has driven him back to his roots in litigation. In 2024, he joined Pitt & Moore’s litigation team, where he collaborates with our team of litigators who are dedicated to achieving favourable outcomes for our clients.
When you choose Rob to handle your dispute, you not only gain a knowledgeable lawyer but also a dedicated advisor who keeps you informed and actively involves you in the dispute resolution process. Clients appreciate Rob’s ability to simplify often complex matters and his friendly yet professional communication style.
Rob’s core practice areas are as set out below.
Robert is experienced with assisting both employers and employees on a variety of employment matters. He also has ‘coal face’ experience with real life employment issues having acted as a team leader in a previous corporate role.
In particular Robert can assist with raising and defending personal grievances, disciplinary and performance issues, restructuring, redundancy, incapacity, contractual disputes, health and safety, protected disclosures, privacy, holiday and leave entitlements, restraints of trade, in addition to providing representation at mediations, the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court.
Robert’s most recent appearance in the Employment Relations Authority as Counsel for the applicant resulted in a successful personal grievance claim. A link to the decision is provided below:
Robert regularly assists clients on a wide variety of civil matters, including property and neighbour disputes, and inheritance and succession disputes.
Robert has a particular interest in estate disputes including family protection and testamentary promises claims. Most recently Robert acted as second counsel in a successful High Court opposition to the granting of probate for a challenged will. In her decision in Kingsford v Mathers [2024] NZHC 2470, Justice O’Gorman found that the executor named in the will had unduly influenced the deceased into altering his will to favour her. The will was also set aside on the grounds that the deceased did not have testamentary capacity.
Another core area of practice for Robert is relationship property. Robert has experience in giving advice in both non-contentious and contentious relationship property matters.
Robert is experienced with assisting both landlords and tenants in a variety of residential tenancy matters and has appeared in the Tenancy Tribunal and the District Court and keeps a watching brief on all the changes in this increasingly relevant area.