Profile
Simon Watt
Simon specialises in climate change law and in providing commercial and public law advice to public sector entities.
He advises government departments, state-owned enterprises, Crown entities and statutory corporations on the regulatory frameworks that apply to them. Simon advises on consultation and decision-making processes aimed at fulfilling public law obligations and managing judicial review risks. He also advises public sector boards on governance issues and has been involved in the establishment of government bodies, as well as in drafting and implementing legislation. Simon has provided substantial advice on the commercial activities of public sector entities, including RFP and tender processes and associated probity issues.
Chambers Asia Pacific 2013 ranks Simon in the top tier of public law leading individuals in New Zealand and notes that clients describe him as "fantastic to work with – a very good and very sound practitioner". Previous editions note him as "a calm practical adviser with well-honed commercial acumen" who "has a wealth of experience in advising government departments, state-owned enterprises and statutory bodies". Simon is "commended for his patience and discretion" and clients praise his "high-level and strategic advice".
Simon's climate change expertise also sees him feature as a leading individual in climate change worldwide in Chambers Global 2012 and in PLC Which lawyer? 2011, which ranks Bell Gully as the leading New Zealand firm on climate change. Simon advised the New Zealand Government on the development of the legal framework for trading in greenhouse gas emissions and on climate change legislation. He also advises businesses domestically and internationally on carbon trading and on the implications of the Kyoto Protocol and New Zealand's emissions trading scheme.
Qualifications
BA, LLB(Hons), Victoria University of Wellington
LLM, University of London
Admitted
1989 New Zealand
International Career
- Citibank, London
1993-1996
