Dalzell Wollerman is a specialist civil litigation firm based in Wellington

Yes, trial experience and skill are important, but equally important is the personal relationships we build with our clients as we work toward a successful outcome for every case.

People, Body Corporates and companies suffering loss and damage need help from legal experts with experience they can trust and trained in all aspects of civil and commercial litigation, from contract disputes to negligence and other types of compensation claims. Dalzell Wollerman has real expertise and real credibility in resolving complex legal problems quickly and cost effectively.

Our team of litigators represent clients in the High Court, District Courts, Court of Appeal and specialist bodies (including the Employment Court and Employment Relations Authority, the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board and Weathertight Homes Tribunal). Our clients span numerous sectors of the economy, including ordinary New Zealanders, insurance companies, brokerages, builders, plumbers, local authorities, developers, trustees and beneficiaries of trusts and many others. We also have strong relationships with Australian law firms and commercial litigation funders.

We are regularly engaged across a broad range of commercial litigation, and we pride ourselves on developing innovative and efficient means of resolving our clients’ unique problems. We represent our clients’ interests in matters such as:

Bankruptcy and insolvency litigation
Contract issues, including debt recovery, cancellation and compensation claims
Construction
Class actions
Disciplinary matters, e.g. Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board matters
Employment
Insurance claims and disputes, including liability and professional indemnity insurance
Negligence actions
Product liability claims
Real estate litigation, including house sale misrepresentation claims

We are well known as experts in specialist areas, particularly in the leaky building and insurance litigation fields. We understand the dynamics of handling large and complex cases, which enables us to achieve consistently excellent results for our clients in some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Case Studies

Featured

Body Corporate 90247 v Manifrini Limited (2014) NZHC 295

Wellington City Council High Court judgment for damages of $1.9 million (plus costs) against the Council for negligent inspection and grant of code compliance in respect of a four unit townhouse development.

Brandlines v Central Forklift Group Limited (2013)

Successful defence of a $10 million negligence claim against our client, a forklift company, which was being blamed for a large warehouse fire. In the course of a lengthy defended High Court hearing the plaintiffs discontinued their claims against our client.

Anderson v DeMarco (2020-2022)

Successful civil case over house sale misrepresentations. The defendant kept a $120,000 deposit even though our clients validly cancelled the sale when they learned the house had serious weathertightness issues, contrary to the defendant’s misrepresentations made directly or through third parties. The defendant was then made bankrupt after failing to pay the debt, which had swelled to over $323,000. The defendant’s appeals were subsequently abandoned.

Cridge v Studorp [2017] NZCA 376

The NZ High Court approved a proposed product liability class action against James Hardie in respect of its Harditex cladding product. The Court of Appeal upheld those orders, finding that issues of causation and damage were not a bar to a class (or representative) claim, and allowed 5 months for homeowners with Harditex clad homes to join the claim.

Our Values

Our values guide how we behave and make decisions: how we do what we do. They serve as a compass for our actions and relationships with our clients, colleagues and the world at large.

Professionalism

We are serious, experienced, consistent and reliable.Our professionalism ensures integrity, accountability, and the very highest standards of delivery.We uphold our duty to the Court, to our clients, and to our profession.

Expertise

We are specialists: we focus on particular areas of law and particular types of cases to further our expertise and operational capabilities. We understand the dynamics of handling large and complex cases and how to achieve resolution for our clients.

Communication

Communication is at the core of everything we do: advising our clients, framing our arguments, negotiating settlements, presenting our cases.To be understood exactly as we intend is central to our purpose and our success.

Accuracy

We are thorough, analytical and know how to manage, interpret and challenge technical and complex issues. Our accuracy enables us to be well prepared and to uncover the nub of the issues that clarify cases and facilitate resolution.