Our People
CAMERON LAWES: Dispute resolution – problem solving – has been at the heart of Cameron’s professional life for over three decades.
For many of those years he has viewed mediation as a compelling pathway to cost effective and timely resolution of disputes – even those that seem too problematic to solve.
Cameron is a barrister sole with a nationwide practice accepting instructions in the higher courts of New Zealand. He is a founding member of Resolution Chambers with a busy practice centred on complex commercial litigation disputes.
He is also a university law lecturer teaching civil and commercial litigation to final year law students.
Cameron is dual qualified in NZ and the UK. He spent 15 years in London handling high profile commercial litigation. He first worked for a High Court Judge at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. He then moved into private practice where he was a partner for 10 years, rising to become a senior equity partner in the London office of a top international law firm.
As well as running a full time litigation practice, Cameron also held senior management roles in his law firm.
Whilst Cameron’s courtroom experience in both hemispheres means he understands that some disputes may end up in a courtroom he strives to find better solutions through mediation, whenever possible. He has been attending mediations since the late 1990’s.
As well as his legal practice and university lecturing, Cameron is also a board level director for several companies in the food, medical technology, and motorsport sectors.
Outside of work Cameron enjoys climbing mountains, running marathons and desert ultramarathons and collecting and racing motorcars – and he is presently learning to fly.
Like many budding writers he also maintains his own Substack where you can find his views on a range of different topics.
Contact Cameron
Phone NZ: + 64 (0)27 772 2022
Email:cameron.lawes@resolutionchambers.co.nz
SIMON SMALL: Simon began his career at the London Bar before moving into the International Capital Markets. He spent some time in Investment Banking before joining a “Magic Circle” law firm in the City of London where he become a senior equity partner.
Simon has worked all over the world on financings worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He has assisted global banks, supra-nationals such as the World Bank, global companies and governments negotiating international debt and equity offerings in many different countries. He is particularly experienced in cross-border commercial property financings and structured finance/derivative driven structures. More recently he did some contract work for Citibank in London reviewing and advising upon netting compatibility for non-standard derivative trades.
Working on such transactions in different countries exposed Simon to high pressure negotiations in the context of different cultural approaches. He is very able to grasp complex concepts and arrangements in a business and contractual context and summarise these in clear terms. He is also very comfortable and experienced in assisting parties to navigate through difficult negotiation positions to arrive at an arrangement that works for all concerned.
Simon has a calm demeanour and approachable nature, Simon’s aim is to build a genuine and professional rapport with the people with whom he works. He understands the importance of creating an environment where parties feel able to communicate effectively, have their say and put forward their point of view.
Simon splits his time between the UK and New Zealand.
He is a professional member of the Resolution Institute.
Contact Simon
Phone NZ: +64(0)27 426 0381
Phone UK: +44(0)7799 130296
Email:simonmediator3@gmail.com
RICHARD SMITH: Richard is a highly accomplished senior executive and mediator with over 29 years of experience navigating complex, high-stakes negotiations across the Asia-Pacific and European markets. With a career rooted in the demanding world of international dry bulk shipping, commodity trading, and risk management, Richard has mastered the art of facilitating agreements between diverse global parties where millions of dollars and critical timeframes are at stake. He has a proven ability to structure and negotiate freight and off-take contracts, often serving as a key speaker and panelist at international forums on risk and clearing.
Originally from the UK and now a dedicated member of the Nelson community, Richard’s professional journey transitioned from leading global desks in Singapore and London to establishing a successful real estate business in New Zealand. This evolution from the fast-paced corporate world to the local property market allows him to approach disputes with a rare combination of commercial pragmatism and interpersonal empathy. Having achieved over NZD 28 million in sales as a licensed real estate salesperson, he understands the emotional and legal intricacies involved in property-related conflicts and the importance of finding a clear path forward.
Richard’s mediation practice is further informed by his deep commitment to community governance and leadership. He currently serves as the Board Chair for Nelson College, where he oversees the Board of Trustees and sits on both the Finance & Property and Trust Foundation committees. His tenure on the Board is driven by a passion for ensuring equal opportunities and building a sustainable future for the institution. Through these roles, Richard has refined his ability to manage multi-stakeholder interests, ensure regulatory compliance, and guide organisational culture through collaborative problem-solving.
Known for being naturally outgoing, efficient, and highly driven, Richard brings a unique "nodal point" approach to mediation. He excels at streamlining communication and acting as a central facilitator to reduce tension and generate pragmatic avenues for resolution. Whether handling complex commercial and contractual disputes or sensitive community and governance issues, Richard is focused on helping parties move past deadlock so they can begin their next chapter with certainty.
He is a professional member of the Resolution Institute.
Contact Richard
Phone NZ:+64(0)27 300 1764
Email: richardmediatornz@gmail.com