Philippa Fee
Philippa is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s leading litigation and dispute resolution lawyers. She has been named a Leading Individual in every Legal 500 Asia Pacific edition since 2017 and is now a member of their Hall of Fame. Philippa is ranked Band 1 for Insurance in Chambers.
Her principal specialist area is the representation of professionals in connection with claims for negligence and disciplinary complaints. The parties she routinely assists include lawyers, chartered accountants, engineers, architects and insurance brokers.
She also regularly acts in claims against directors and officers, including (recently) those brought by liquidators, receivers or regulators arising from corporate financial collapse.
She routinely represents insurers and their clients in property damage claims which are covered under public and products liability policies.
Other areas of specialty include construction disputes (including leaky building litigation) and regulatory prosecutions.
“In my view, Philippa Fee is the leading insurance practitioner in the country. Her advice is concise, clear and easy to understand.”
“Philippa Fee is our ‘go-to’ lawyer for anything complex, particularly in the construction space. She has a fantastic ability to condense pages of complex technical information into a digestible summary and the ability to cut through the legalese to make clear recommendations for a commercial settlement.”
“Philippa Fee is my ‘go-to’ person for any complex PI and D&O matters.”
“Philippa Fee is my ‘go-to’ lawyer for indemnity advice over a range of policies. Her advice stands up under scrutiny and is delivered in a timely manner.”
“Philippa Fee is an experienced and effective courtroom lawyer who has had some good wins for us at trial.”
“Philippa Fee is a standout litigator and has an excellent grasp of the law, and a sound commercial acumen.”
“Philippa Fee is the standout partner. Very commercially astute.”
“Philippa Fee is a true superstar when it comes to insurance.”
“Philippa Fee is a leading figure in the insurance space, knowledgeable and very experienced. Able to explain and condense complex and technical information clearly and concisely.”
— Client testimonials, Legal 500 Asia Pacific Rankings 2020/2023
Contact details
DDI | 09 373 0052 MOB | 021 899 066
Email | philippa.fee@feelangstone.co.nz
Executive Assistant | Julie Looker
Legal Assistant’s DDI | 09 2204897
Meet Philippa
Work highlights
Being counsel for one of the successful parties in a Court of Appeal decision which is widely regarded as the leading case on the duty of care in negligence – Attorney General v Carter & Wright [2003] 2 NZLR 160.
Successful defence of law firm for negligence in context of a claim against a real estate agency – Messenger v Stanaway [2015] NZHC 1795.
Advising an interested party in respect of the Commission of Inquiry into the Whey Protein Concentrate Contaminated Incident (2014).
Acting for an engineering company in connection with a leaky building – Judge v Dempsey [2014] NZHC 2864.
Successfully acting as solicitor for one of the defendants in the Feltex shareholder class action High Court trial (Houghton v Saunders [2014] NZHC 2229).
Acting for a major accounting firm in connection with an alleged negligent audit (damages in excess of $300m).
Acting and appearing as counsel in the High Court on a solicitor’s negligence claim involving multiple parties and complex issues of taxation (damages in excess of $100 million).
Representing an insurer in a claim on a professional indemnity policy in Timtech Chemicals Ltd v QBE Insurance (International) Ltd – successful in both the High Court and Court of Appeal ([2012]NZCA 274).
Defending the auditor of a failed finance company in civil proceedings and a disciplinary complaint.
Acting for a large number of lawyers defending claims of negligence – eg Seimer v Illingworth (2008); Fifer Residential v Knight Coldicutt (2007); Pangani Properties v Owens Transport (2002); Westpac v Neumegan (2008).
Representing numerous insured defendants in respect of charges laid against them under the Resource Management Act, Fair Trading Act and Health & Safety in Employment Act.
Acting for solicitors, real estate agents and accountants in relation to complaints and disciplinary matters.
Presentations
Expert Evidence – Australia and New Zealand Insurance Law Association Conference in Christchurch, September 2007
Public Liability Insurance – Lumley Liability Symposium in Auckland 2007
Insurance Arrangements in Construction Contracts – NZ Law Society “Building Law Intensive” in Auckland and Wellington in November 2008
Emerging Liability Issues for Lawyers – the Auckland District Law Society Auckland 2008
Directors’ and Officers’ Risk – Lumley Liability Symposium, September 2009
Presented two seminars to the IBANZ Conference in Auckland 2010. One on the liability risk from exporting and importing goods, and another providing advice on the liability issues that arise from claims and how best to handle them.
Presented a seminar on the insurance cover available in respect of Government inquiries and regulatory proceedings for Lumley General Insurance at their “The Edge Liability Seminar” in 2011.
Presented a paper on Insurance cover available in the context of construction contracts at the New Zealand CLE Intensive on Construction Law in August 2016.
Has presented numerous times to NZ Law, an association of independent legal practices, on emerging liability issues for lawyers. In particular recently presented to the NZ Law General Meeting in Queenstown in March 2016 on conflicts of interest.
Professional associations
Member of the Society of Construction Law
Regular speaker to industry groups on legal issues relevant to the commercial sector, such as risk management, liability of professionals and company directors/officers, insurance law, and developments in the law (particularly tort law)
Has been a very active member of the Auckland District Committee of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance, holding positions on various subcommittees responsible for professional development of the insurance industry
Authored the New Zealand chapter of International Product Liability, a text published by the Centre for International Legal Studies
Member of the Arbitrators’ & Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ)
