People

Rebecca Saunders

Partner

Construction and Dispute Resolution

Recommended in Lexology 2025 – Construction, recognised in Doyle’s Guide 2025 as a Leading Construction Lawyer and Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024, member of the Society of Construction Law and the National Association of Women in Construction, AMINZ Fellowship in Arbitration, and Solicitor of England and Wales (non-practising).

T +64 9 300 2600 M +64 27 479 7970

Specialist areas of practice

  • Construction law
  • Dispute resolution
  • Infrastructure and projects

Rebecca is a construction law specialist and co-leads the firm’s Dispute Resolution team. She acts for a range of clients at all stages of the construction project lifecycle, from initiation to post-completion. She regularly advises on issues relating to payment, variations, delay, defects, certification, limitation, and cancellation of contracts.

Rebecca provides advice on the interpretation and enforcement of construction contracts, development and consultancy agreements, and requirements under the Building Act 2004 and associated Regulations. She is familiar with a range of standard forms including NZS 3910/3915/3916, Masterbuild, Certified Builders, CCCS, AS, NEC, JCT, FIDIC and IChemE.

Rebecca specialises in resolving disputes by way of negotiated settlements, mediation, arbitration, litigation or adjudication under the Construction Contracts Act 2002 and the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act 2006. While in practise in the United Kingdom, Rebecca gained significant experience in International Arbitration under ICC Rules, litigation in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC), and adjudication under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.

Rebecca has particular expertise acting for plaintiffs or defendants in complex multi-party disputes; often tort or breach of warranty claims involving latent defects.  She recently acted for a territorial authority on one of the most significant defective building claims brought in New Zealand, with the quantum of the claim exceeding NZD $170M.

Rebecca works closely with her clients to deliver practical and timely solutions, guiding them through the complexities of construction law and dispute resolution processes. Her leadership and expertise make her a trusted advisor to businesses in the construction, infrastructure, and development sectors, as well as territorial authorities, body corporates and private individuals.