We are profoundly saddened by the passing of Hon Nicholas Davidson KC, who died on Saturday 8 March 2025. A friend and colleague to many at chambers, Nick will be remembered not only for his exceptional advocacy skills, but also for his warmth, kindness, and compassion.

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Nick began practice with Duncan Cotterill and Co in Christchurch before moving to R A Young Hunter where he was a partner. He began practicing as a barrister in 1971, joined the independent Bar in 1988, and took Silk in 1996. Nick joined Bankside Chambers in 2005, and on his retirement from the High Court Bench in December 2018, he became an Associate Member of Bankside. 

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The diverse range of professional work that Nick undertook in practice prepared him well for his time on the High Court. In the civil arena, he had significant experience in leading cases on insurance, relationship property, estates and trusts, as well as advising local authorities. 

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Nick also had experience in criminal law, both as defence counsel and a prosecutor for the Serious Fraud Office. Two highlights were acting as counsel for the families of the men who died at the Pike River Mine in the Royal Commission of Inquiry in 2011/2012 and, earlier, for the Serious Fraud Office, in the Wine Box Commission of Inquiry.

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He was a Council member of the Canterbury District Law Society from 1986 to 1992 and held many positions including Chair of the Canterbury-Westland District Disciplinary Tribunal and was a member of the Management Committee of Solicitors Fidelity Fund.

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He lectured part-time and tutored at the University of Canterbury, in law and commerce, and was a Fellow of College House, University Tertiary College, for 17 years.

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In the sports sector, Nick held numerous disciplinary related roles, including with New Zealand Sports Tribunal, SANZAR, New Zealand Rugby Union, IRB, New Zealand Cricket and Rugby World Cup Appeal Committee. He was President of New Zealand Football from 2005 to 2015 and was a member of FIFA’s Investigatory Panel. He was appointed to the International Cricket Council Code of Conduct Commission in Dubai, and was a member of the Committee of Inquiry into allegations of corruption in cricket. In August 2019, Nick was appointed Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Sports Tribunal.

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Nick was a Fellow of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand. He was a mediator and sole arbitrator in domestic arbitrations.

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“Nick Davidson will be remembered by the profession as an excellent Court advocate and later Judge of the High Court of New Zealand”, shares friend and colleague, Hon Paul Heath KC. “In some ways more importantly, he will be remembered as a warm, kind, compassionate man who was willing to help anyone who sought his assistance. He was a congenial colleague and someone who would always share his gained wisdom from a long and successful career in the law. He was taken too soon. He will be missed. RIP, Nick.”

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From all of us at Bankside, we extend our deepest condolences to Nick’s family.