David Friar

David is an Auckland barrister specialising in commercial litigation. He has particular expertise in insurance, corporate and insolvency law, as well as property, contract and class actions.

David has 30 years’ experience spanning all aspects of commercial disputes and advice.

Before joining Mills Lane Chambers, David was a partner at Bell Gully for 11 years, where he was head of the litigation department.

David has been ranked by the leading legal directories since

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific says that David is “respected as an ‘excellent lawyer’ by market sources” with “extensive litigation experience”.
  • The Legal 500 says that David is a “standout” practitioner who is “lauded by clients for his depth of enquiry and understanding and strong courtroom advocacy”.

Strategy and Judgment

David takes a strategic approach to litigation.

In some cases, that means taking a case to trial. David is an experienced trial lawyer, acting as senior counsel in trials in the High Court and other jurisdictions. He also takes appeals, and has argued cases in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Other cases call for settlement. David has extensive experience at mediation and in direct settlement negotiations.

David Friar
David was named New Zealand Litigation Lawyer of the Year by Benchmark Litigation in –. He has been ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific and The Legal 500 since .

What clients say

David is “really commercial, focused on outcomes and understands our business”
Chambers Asia-Pacific,
David’s “eye for detail and delivery in the litigation sphere is outstanding”
Chambers Asia-Pacific,
David “stands out for his confident approach to litigation and is strong on strategy and expert witness cross-examination”
Legal 500,
David is an “exceptionally well-prepared lawyer with an exceptional intellect” who “won an incredibly challenging case for us”
Chambers Asia-Pacific,
See more of what clients say about David

Expertise

Insurance

For insurers, insureds, brokers and others in the insurance industry, across a full range of policy types, claims and disputes.

Corporate and directors’ duties

Claims alleging breach of directors’ duties, as well as shareholder and company disputes, and governance advice.

Insolvency

Receiverships, liquidations, voluntary administrations and creditors’ claims, including claims alleging breach of duty.

Property

Agreements for sale and purchase, leases and tenancies, mortgagee sales and other property disputes.

Contract and commercial

Contract interpretation, enforcement and remedies, joint ventures, and other commercial disputes

Class actions

Representative actions and class actions, litigation funding and related issues.

Recent cases

Insurance

BC 390670 v AIG and IAG (Bellagio Apartments)

Senior counsel for the insurers in High Court proceedings concerning a large property insurance claim
High Court Wellington  · 
Property

EcoWorld v Port Marlborough

Senior counsel for Port Marlborough in a High Court trial concerning a lease dispute and alleged misrepresentations
High Court Blenheim  ·  [2022] NZHC 3016
Insurance

Fletcher v Lawlink and Resolution Life

Senior counsel for the insurer in a High Court trial concerning a total disability claim and the insured’s obligation to attend an examination
High Court Tauranga  ·  [2025] NZHC 162
Insolvency

FFWL v Gibson and Jackson (Villa Maria)

Junior counsel to Adam Ross KC, and senior counsel on interlocutory matters, acting for the receivers in proceedings alleging breach of duty
High Court Auckland  ·  [2022] 3 NZLR 366  ·  [2025] NZHC 1427
Property

MGSL v Imagine Beach Rd

Senior counsel for MGSL in a property and lease dispute, including proceedings in the new Commercial List
High Court Auckland  · 
Class actions

Fullarton v Arowana International Ltd

Senior counsel for the promoter and one of its directors in a large securities class action concerning the public listing of Intueri
High Court Auckland  ·  [2021] NZHC 931  ·  [2021] NZCCLR 28
Insolvency

Gibson v Platt

Senior counsel for the receivers of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts in an insolvency dispute with creditors concerning the priority of claims
High Court Auckland  ·  [2024] NZHC 351
Property

Portofino v Stride Property

Senior counsel for a landlord in proceedings brought by a tenant in a property dispute, including alleged misrepresentations
High Court Auckland  ·  [2024] NZHC 1649  ·  [2024] NZHC 1650
Corporate and directors’ duties

Fruit Shippers v Petrie

Senior counsel for the plaintiff in a derivative claim in the High Court against a director for alleged breach of duty to the company
High Court Auckland  ·  [2020] NZHC 749

Publications

David writes and speaks extensively on commercial law issues. For example, he wrote the Directors’ Duties chapter in Morison’s Company Law which was cited by the Supreme Court in Debut Homes.

He has presented a number of CLE updates for the New Zealand Law Society, The Law Association (formerly ADLS) and the Legal Research Foundation, and regularly speaks at industry conferences.

See a full list of David’s publications

Case Law Updates

David also writes about recent decisions from the courts, which he posts on LinkedIn and publishes here. For example:

See the full list of David’s case law updates

Qualifications

  • LLB (Hons) and BA, University of Otago ()
  • LLM, Columbia University New York ()
  • Fulbright scholar
  • James Kent scholar
See details of David’s qualifications

Community and Pro Bono

  • Chair, New Zealand AIDS Foundation ( to )
  • Convenor, Auckland Rainbow Law ( to date)
  • David undertakes a range of pro bono work in addition to his commercial practice
See details of David’s community and pro bono work

Contact David

To contact David, please email him or call him.

Lawyers can instruct David on all matters.

Clients can instruct David directly for opinions and advice, including in relation to a dispute.

For court proceedings, an instructing lawyer is required. David can help arrange one if needed.