Jeremy Johnson

• BA – University of Canterbury, 2008
• LLB(Hons) – University of Canterbury, 2008
• LLM – University of Cambridge, 2012
• Fellowship (Arbitration) – Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand, 2016
• Fellowship – Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, 2016
• Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes – Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, 2017

Jeremy is one of New Zealand’s leading litigation and dispute resolution barristers with particular expertise in the fields of private wealth, relationship property, equity and trust and commercial law. Jeremy works on cases across New Zealand and in the wider Asia-Pacific Region.

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Jeremy quickly grasps complex legal situations and his clients value his ability to provide accurate, commercially realistic advice at short notice. Jeremy is frequently instructed to appear as counsel in the Courts and before arbitral tribunals in New Zealand and Singapore, with considerable experience leading multi-week trials.

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As a core part of his practice Jeremy also provides a range of services for high-profile individuals and families. Valued for his discretion, he is considered one of New Zealand’s leading private wealth barristers and he often undertakes cross-border private wealth work.  

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Jeremy is also regularly appointed to act as an arbitrator.  

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Jeremy was recognised as being a leader in his field by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2019 and, since joining the Bar, has been recognised by the Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 legal guides, being ranked as Band 2 for 2023 and 2024 and Band 1 for 2025. He is recommended for his "outstanding service" with "the client-handling skills to make a top-class litigator".

One client described him as an "excellent strategic litigator and thinker. He is very responsive and well regarded by other practitioners, which makes negotiations more streamlined". Another client said he was “arguably the smartest lawyer with whom I have engaged”. Previous directories said that Jeremy is "in a league of his own", “an excellent young lawyer who has a sharp intellect, and is a good tactician and a very good communicator. His approach in court is courteous and disarming" and he was described by one client as "probably the most outstanding young lawyer I have ever met”.

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Jeremy is ranked as a Leading Barrister Sole in the Legal500 Asia Pacific Rankings 2024 for commercial disputes: “Jeremy’s fierce intellect and ability to understand people makes him a formidable litigator”; "Jeremy is a confident and effective advocate in court and is not afraid of taking on difficult points"; "he is also well regarded for his arbitration expertise."

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Jeremy is a member of Bankside Chambers in Auckland and Bankside Singapore, and he is registered with the Singapore International Commercial Court.

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In 2024, Jeremy was appointment to the Advisory Board of the International Trust Arbitration Organisation (ITAO). He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and he holds a STEP Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes, placing first in his global class. He was the youngest person in history to become a Fellow of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand. He received the Ronald Davison Award for excellence in arbitral award writing. Jeremy is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

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In addition, Jeremy is a recognised leader in the community, serving as Chancellor of the Diocese of Waiapu and Chair of Christ’s College.

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For international work, or work based in Singapore, Jeremy can be contacted via David Grief International Consultancy. Contact Jeremy on +65 6679 6092, or at Suite 57, #24-01 CapitaGreen, 138 Market Street, Singapore 048946.

Trust dispute

Acting for a beneficiary seeking resettlement of part of a significant trust which Jeremy successfully negotiated after the issuing of proceedings.

Complex relationship property

Acting for the husband in a significant relationship property dispute. The case involves multiple trusts and companies with considerable value as well as consideration of novel points of law.

Cross-border relationship property

Acting for trusts in a multi-jurisdictional divorce involving three different countries, two sets of proceedings and protests to jurisdiction.

Arbitration

Acting as lead counsel in an arbitration of a significant contractual dispute (with claims in excess of USD$20m) under Singapore International Arbitration Centre Rules.

Class Action

Advising on a significant potential class action relating to alleged breaches of the Securities Act and Financial Markets Conduct Act arising from an IPO. The case is factually complex and of significant value.

Insolvent trust company application for directions

Acting for liquidators of a trustee company attempting to realise its assets for the benefit of creditors. The case involved multiple applications for directions and issues as to the interaction of company law and equity.

Failed company claim

Acting as lead counsel in a significant claim involving a company that collapsed owing in excess of $30m involving application of theSecurities Act and the Financial Markets Conduct Act involving a multi-week trial.

Shareholder dispute

Acting as lead counsel for the shareholder of a substantial family-owned business in a shareholder dispute. The matter involve three separate proceedings and the intersection of trust and company law.

Trust dispute

Acting as lead counsel for beneficiaries seeking the removal of trustees and an account of profits for acting in a position of conflict. The case has involved multiple hearings including one of New Zealand’s leading ITAO cases on Beddoes orders.

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Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 Dispute Resolution: The Bar, Band 1: "Jeremy is extremely intelligent and has deep understanding of the law. He is also a good presenter and speaker on his feet, passionate about law and up to date with developments in the latest cases."

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Jeremy is ranked as a Leading Barrister Sole in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific Rankings 2024 for commercial disputes: “Jeremy’s fierce intellect and ability to understand people makes him a formidable litigator"; "Jeremy is a confident and effective advocate in court and is not afraid of taking on difficult points"; "he is also well regarded for his arbitration expertise."

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Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 – Barrister: "Jeremy is a consummate professional. He is meticulous in his preparation and presents a great case. One thing that really impressed me was Jeremy's ability to cross-examine expert witnesses."

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Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2023 – Barrister: "Jeremy is highly intellectual and can easily handle the most complex legal matters while also maintaining a wider strategic view of the case."

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Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2022 – Barrister: Jeremy is active in a variety of areas of commercial litigation and arbitration. Noted by one interviewee for his "ability to analyse complex legal and factual situations quickly, excellent manner in court, and provision of clear, understandable advice to clients," he is singled out by another as "arguably the smartest lawyer with whom I have engaged."

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Chambers Asia Pacific 2020 – Leading Individual: "A very good communicator and client-focused" by a client who goes on to add: "He has a very good depth of understanding of the law."

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Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020 – Leading Individual: 'Clients describe him as "intellectually strong with very good emotional intelligence", which helps his clients make good decisions in the face of ambiguity'.

'Jeremy Johnson prepared extremely well for negotiations and mediations and left a leading QC in the shade. His reasonable and courteous approach was undoubtedly a factor in the successful resolution of the dispute. His strong intellect and street smarts helped navigate some difficult issues. His writing and advocacy skills are first class.’

‘Jeremy Johnson displays tact and courtesy to all involved and has outstanding advocacy skills. He is easily a match for the leading QC in the field and should be recognised as a leading practitioner in trusts and relationship property himself.’

‘Jeremy Johnson is patient, quietly determined and gives his clients a strong feeling that they are in a safe pair of hands. I cannot recommend him highly enough. In terms of overall value for money, his advice was worth every cent.’

'Jeremy Johnson has a high level of intelligence overlaid with commercial practicality, and he is very articulate.’

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• Time for reform – a case for reform of the law restricting the arbitration of trust disputes in Singapore. STEP New Zealand Journal: Issue6, 2024
• Bahama Courts Further Affirm Arbitration of Trust Disputes[J Johnson & C Hackston]. ReSolution, Issue 39, February 2024
• Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Advantages, Legal Requirements, and Risk Factors under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976. NZLS Seminary Section21 Agreements in a Rural Context April 2024
• Assignability of Beneficial Interests under Discretionary Trusts
• Tikanga & Succession: Death and the Law Intensive. NZLSCLE May 2022
• Creditors, Beneficiaries and Trustees accessing the Trust Property- Plundering or Enforcement?  [J Johnson & J Ormsby] NZLS Trusts Conference June 2021
• Trust Law and Tikanga: one eye of the needles but different threads. STEP New Zealand conference September 2021
• A closed class? Powers to appoint further beneficiaries as a constraint on the rule in Saunders v Vautier [J Johnson & Jordan Halligan].Trusts & Trustees, Volume 27, Issue 9 November 2021, Pages 870-879.
• Trusts & Limitation: Untying the knot [J Johnson & J Halligan]. Institute of Judicial Studies, Senior Court Update October 2021
• Trusts Act 2019: New Opportunities for ADR [J Johnson &M Wallace]. AMINZ Conference February 2021
• How much influence can they have? The Ability of Beneficiaries and Settlors to Direct Trustees 2021
• Religion and the Law: Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care in the Care of Faith-based Institutions 2021
• “Family Law Arbitration: How to Enforce” AMINZ Webinar October 2019
• “Arbitration in Action: Principles, Practise and Practicalities” Auckland District Law Society October 2019
• “Royal Commission Update” Independent Schools’ Conference August 2019
• “Court Supervision of Trusts- the Principles and the Practice” NZLS Trusts Conference June 2019
• “Royal Commission Update” Anglican Schools Conference May2019
• “Who should pay and when? Selected issues with costs in trust proceedings” [J Johnson & J Anson-Holland] Wynn Williams’ Trust Litigation Day April 2019
• “Constructive Trusts: an update” NZLS Property Relationships Act Intensive June 2018
• “Beddoes Applications in Trustee/Beneficiary Disputes-Process and Principles” STEP New Zealand Conference June 2018
• “Arbitration of Trust Disputes in New Zealand” – AMINZ-ICCA International Arbitration Day April 2018
• “Keeping the farm in the family: issues in succession planning” Rural Law Conference 2017
• “Legislative changes in arbitration update” AMINZ Arbitration Day 2017
• “Trusts on Trial” NZLS Trusts Conference June 2017
• “Mediation of Trust Disputes: Risks for Trustees” STEP Australasian Conference March 2016
• “Construction Contracts Act: Trust Disputes” AMINZ 2016Conference: Dispute Resolution on the Edge
• “Arbitration Clauses and the Summary Jurisdiction The Supreme Court Speaks” 2015 New Zealand Law Journal 82
• “Directors’ and Officers’ Policies” 2014 New Zealand Law Journal 126
• “Farewell to Hasting-Bass” 2013 New Zealand Law Journal 249
• “Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing” 2013 New Zealand Law Journal 172
• “Plain Packaging for Tobacco” 2012 New Zealand Law Journal246
• “Earthquakes, Mortgagees and Lessees” 2011 New Zealand Law Journal 301
• “Contract Missed Opportunity” 2010 New Zealand Law Journal50
• “Anti-Smacking Law and Judicial Review” 2009 New Zealand Law Journal 11