Renshaw Edwards v New Zealand Law Society (1992)
This was an action on behalf of 250 people who lost $20M in the collapse of the
Renshaw Edwards law firm. The NZ Law Society’s Solicitor Fidelity Guarantee Fund
declined to accept liability and gcalawyers brought a successful action against
the Society resulting in full recovery of client losses, interest and costs.
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Morgan Jones v TranzRail
As a child, Morgan Jones fell through a safety rail between carriages, on a train
travelling near Kaikoura. He suffered very serious injuries and an action was brought
against TranzRail, seeking exemplary damages. The case was favourably settled for
Morgan.
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Goodhealth Wanganui
This was an action for about 30 individuals who suffered cancer misdiagnoses at
Goodhealth Wanganui. An exemplary damages claim against the Crown resulted
in a substantial settlement.
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Concerned Dairymen’s Association
A complex action for over 200 dairy farmers against the NZ Dairy Board. It arose
from concerns about the Livestock Improvement Corporation’s (then an NZDB subsidiary)
introduction of an Animal Evaluation Model that allegedly perverted the breeding
and culling decisions made by the nation’s dairy farmers which gave rise to capital
and income losses for those adversely affected. The case had an international flavour
with US funding and scientific experts and continued for 9 years.
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ACC/Health Dept Fraud
In the mid-1990s the firm approached ACC with a proposition as to how it could address
its suspected fraud problems. A pilot program was designed and commissioned for
the South Island which over 6 months, conclusively established fraud losses of over
$100M per annum. A remedial program was designed and this was successfully implemented
by ACC and later, by the Health Dept as well.
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Fast Ferry operators
This was an action commenced on behalf of property owners in Queen Charlotte Sound
who complained of significant foreshore damage caused by ‘fast ferries’ operating
in the Sound, en route between Picton and Wellington. Successful central government
lobbying resulted in new by-laws constraining the operators and one ferry operator
closing down whereupon the action was dropped.
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Whale Watch v Transport Accident Investigation Commission
Following the capsize of a whale watching boat off Kaikoura, where a Taiwanese tourist
was killed. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission initially produced a
report critical of Whale Watch but through subsequent proceedings, the TAIC resiled
from its stance and the matter was amicably resolved.
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Children of Lake Alice v The Crown
The firm brought a group action for 95 persons who alleged suffering torture (and
other things) at the hands of Crown employees, while state wards and resident at
Lake Alice (a Crown institution). A group action proceeded in the Courts but the
Crown then opted for a private arbitration which resulted in settlement for 95 people
in the sum of $6.5M. A secondary process was then instigated by the Crown and the
firm progressed successful claims for many more claimants.
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Southern Cardiothoracic Institute v Minister of Health.
GCA brought an action against the Crown on behalf of various cardiac surgeons (SCI)
following the cancellation of a contract for the provision of cardiothoracic medical
services in the South Island. The matter was resolved through a negotiated resolution.
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Spinally Injured Rugby Players v NZRFU.
This was a pro bono matter taken on behalf of 30 former rugby players who had suffered
serious spinal injuries whilst playing rugby. The case was legally difficult but
a sustained media campaign resulted in; a new insurance scheme for all rugby players,
some changes to rules and to training techniques and substantial payments to the
NZ Rugby Foundation for the welfare of past and future spinally injured rugby players.
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Gaming Machine Trust Association
Grant Cameron was asked to provide a strategy for the GMTA as the major gaming trusts
in NZ faced an uncertain transition from the former Gaming and Lotteries Act, to
the new Gambling Act 2003. Grant took the role of Chairman through the key period
and the firm provided a strategy directed at legal, media management and political
lobbying components. The process was very successful with the trusts securing their
key objectives.
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Sexual abuse claims
The firm has successfully conducted many substantial claims against various religious
orders. Significant claims remain ongoing.
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Liam Ashley
In August 2006, Liam Ashley, a 17 year old, was murdered while being transported
in a prison van from the North Shore District Court in Auckland. To date the Crown
has denied responsibility and proceedings will shortly be filed alleging a breach
of the NZ Bill of Rights (‘the right to life’) and other claims.
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Financial Advisors
Currently, the firm is conducting a considerable volume of litigation in relation
to allegedly negligent advice on the part of many financial advisors. Such claims
have arisen in the wake of the collapse of about 23 finance companies. Some settlements
have occurred and proceedings are expected in other instances.
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