John has over 30 years of major construction and infrastructure development experience, focused on effective project delivery and dispute avoidance.
John Walton is an international arbitrator and construction and infrastructure law specialist.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a Pioneer Fellow of the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR), a Member of the Society of Construction Arbitrators (UK), and Honorary Life member of the Society of Construction Law (NZ) and a Fellow and former President of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand.
John has practised, and is admitted, in London and Hong Kong (where he advised the Government on the Chek Lap Kok new airport development and transport infrastructure). Since returning to New Zealand, John has advised on, and arbitrated disputes in relation to, major infrastructure projects in the energy, water and wastewater, transport and technology sectors.
Hong Kong's Port and airport development
Advising the Government of Hong Kong on its new airport development at Chek Lap Kok, including drafting contracts and advising on contract administration for USD $20 billion of infrastructure development.
Custom Street Hotel v Plus Construction
Win in the Court of Appeal on the interpretation of the termination provisions of NZS3910.
AMINZ Arbitration Rules
Drafting the new AMINZ Arbitration Rules, based on current international best practise, and the AMINZ Guide to Awarding Costs in Arbitration.
ICCA Sydney Congress
Co-Vice Chair of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration Congress in Sydney 2018.
Watercare’s Hobson Bay Tunnel
Using a one-off, tailor made contract, Watercare Services completed a new tunnel under Hobson Bay in Auckland using an earth-pressure-balance tunnel boring machine on time and within budget – a first for New Zealand.
Society of Construction Law NZ
Being made an Honorary Life Member of the NZ branch of the SCL in recognition of services to the construction community.
Society of Construction Arbitrators
Being invited to join the Society as an overseas member in 2019.
Who's Who legal – Construction
Identified as a Global Leader in construction since 2016.
Raymond Huo MP, Chair of the Justice and Electoral Select Committee, on the Third Reading of the Arbitration Amendment Act 2019, Hansard (Parliamentary Debates) 1 May 2019, “I acknowledge members of the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand and renowned arbiters such as Sir David Williams QC and Mr John Walton.”