I am a Hamilton-based barrister, arbitrator and mediator practising independently from 109 Chambers. I provide commercial dispute resolution, independent legal advisory services, investigations and criminal defence in Hamilton and across the Waikato. I also accept suitable appointments elsewhere in New Zealand, including work conducted online.
I have practised law since 2007. My professional background encompasses commercial and civil litigation, Crown prosecution, criminal trial and appellate advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution, and independent appointments as an arbitrator and mediator.
Professional background
I was admitted to the High Court of New Zealand in 2007, after completing Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts degrees at the University of Auckland.
I began my legal career as a commercial litigation solicitor. I subsequently worked as a Crown Prosecutor, conducting criminal proceedings and developing extensive experience in advocacy, evidence and courtroom procedure.
In 2018, I commenced practice as a barrister sole. My work has since developed into a broader independent practice encompassing dispute resolution, legal advisory work, investigations and criminal defence.
My experience as both a civil litigator and criminal advocate informs my work as a neutral and adviser. It has given me a practical understanding of how disputes develop, how evidence is tested and how legal proceedings affect the people and organisations involved.
Current practice
My practice is centred on five principal areas:
- Commercial arbitration — acting as an independent arbitrator in commercial and civil disputes, with procedures tailored to the value, complexity and circumstances of each matter.
- Commercial mediation in Hamilton and the Waikato — helping parties explore negotiated resolutions through a confidential and structured process.
- Independent legal advisory services — providing legal opinions, strategic advice and independent assessments in complex or sensitive matters.
- Independent investigations and reviews — conducting impartial inquiries where careful evidence assessment, procedural fairness and clear findings are required.
- Criminal defence — representing defendants in serious and complex criminal proceedings, including trials, pre-trial applications, sentencing matters and appeals.
Each type of engagement is governed by its own professional obligations. I take conflicts, confidentiality and role separation seriously and do not undertake incompatible roles in relation to the same matter.
Commercial and technically complex disputes
My commercial dispute work includes contractual, financial, professional and operational disputes. I have worked on matters involving New Zealand parties and parties in Australia, Hong Kong, the United States, Vietnam, England and Japan.
The subject matter of these disputes has included:
- software, data and digital systems;
- communications technology and satellite systems;
- machinery and equipment;
- finance and insurance;
- manufacturing;
- logistics; and
- professional and commercial services.
Some matters involve substantial documentary records, unfamiliar technical or commercial systems, expert evidence or multiple participants across different jurisdictions. I am comfortable becoming familiar with specialised subject matter and identifying the legal, evidential and practical issues that will determine the appropriate process and outcome.
I also maintain separate specialist offerings for commercial mediation in the Waikato and disputes involving technology through arbitr8.io and medi8.io.
Approach
My approach is calm, structured and analytical. I focus first on understanding the real issues, the evidence available and the interests or risks affecting each participant.
Depending on my role, this may involve designing a proportionate dispute-resolution process, helping parties test their positions, making a reasoned determination, undertaking an independent factual assessment or providing clear strategic advice.
Across these different roles, I place particular emphasis on:
- independence and ethical clarity;
- procedural fairness;
- proportionality and efficient use of resources;
- realistic assessment of risk;
- careful analysis of evidence;
- clear reasoning and communication; and
- respect for everyone involved in the process.
I recognise that legal and commercial disputes often involve more than the formal legal issues. Relationships, cost, time, reputation, organisational constraints and uncertainty may all influence the most appropriate way forward.
Qualifications and professional standing
My qualifications and professional affiliations include:
- Bachelor of Laws, University of Auckland;
- Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, University of Auckland;
- admission to the High Court of New Zealand in 2007;
- Associate of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand;
- membership of the New Zealand Bar Association; and
- membership of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Branch Council of the New Zealand Law Society.
I hold a current practising certificate as a barrister. My admission and practising-certificate details can be confirmed through the New Zealand Law Society register.
I also maintain professional indemnity insurance exceeding the minimum requirements prescribed by the New Zealand Law Society.
Publications, legal education and technology projects
I am the author of Civil Litigation for Non-Lawyers, published in 2021. The book is a plain-English guide to bringing and responding to civil proceedings in the District Court and High Court of New Zealand. It developed from my earlier public legal education work through CourtKeys.
I have also produced a free guide to criminal trials in New Zealand, explaining trial processes from the perspective of a person facing criminal charges.
In 2013, I founded CourtKeys, an access-to-justice project intended to make New Zealand legal processes more understandable to non-lawyers. Although the original website was retired in 2018, much of its material has been preserved as an archival resource, and the project informed my later published work.
Alongside legal practice, I have developed Aria3D since 2005. Aria3D is a long-term technology research project exploring spatial-audio navigation and non-visual information systems.
These projects reflect a continuing interest in technology, complex systems, access to justice and clear communication. That experience is particularly relevant to my work involving technical evidence, software, data and unfamiliar organisational systems.
Based in Hamilton
I practise from 109 Chambers in Hamilton, New Zealand.
I am available for in-person engagements in Hamilton and throughout the Waikato. Work elsewhere may be arranged where appropriate, and suitable arbitrations, mediations, consultations, investigations and advisory engagements can be conducted online.
The appropriate format depends on the nature of the matter, the location of the participants and the need for an efficient and fair process.
Enquiries
To enquire about an arbitration or mediation appointment, independent legal advice, an investigation or criminal defence representation, please contact me.
Email: martin@martindillon.nz
Phone: +64 21 144 0486
All appointments and instructions are subject to a conflicts check, confirmation of availability and agreement on the scope and terms of engagement.