Dr Andrew Butler KC has joined Bankside Chambers as an Associate Member and as a member of Bankside Singapore.
Andrew is a leading commercial silk renowned for his expertise in complex commercial, regulatory, public law, trusts and relationship property disputes. His extensive trial, appellate and ADR portfolio includes cross-border tax, economic regulation, competition, contracts, trusts, insolvency and securities law disputes. His clients include major banks, utilities, healthcare and transport service providers and high-net-worth families.
He is one of New Zealand’s most experienced appellate counsel, having appeared in twenty substantive Supreme Court hearings and numerous Court of Appeal cases.
Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Law with First Class Honours from University College Dublin in 1989 and a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, in 1991. Admitted to the New Zealand bar in 1994, Andrew began practicing while also teaching courses on Trusts, Equity, Restitution and Human Rights at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. In 2002, he completed his Doctor of Laws from the European University Institute in Florence.
Following six years at Crown Law Office as Crown Counsel in the Human Rights team, Andrew joined Russell McVeagh’s litigation team in 2005, becoming a partner in 2007. There he was involved in high-profile litigation including representing BNZ in its cross-border tax avoidance litigation against the IRD; Allan and Jean Hubbard through their statutory management; Vector in its electricity and gas input methodologies appeals against the Commerce Commission; NZ King Salmon in the leading Supreme Court decision on the Resource Management Act; and Stuff and NZME in their merger clearance challenge, to name a few.
In 2018, Andrew returned to his practice as a barrister, joining Thorndon Chambers in Wellington and Mills Lane Chambers in Auckland. He was appointed King’s Counsel in 2022.
Trusts and equity is a particular area of expertise. Andrew is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), is the general editor of the leading New Zealand trusts and equity text, has appeared in high-profile trust cases in New Zealand and has provided expert evidence on New Zealand trust law in overseas courts.
Andrew’s extensive experience in public law has enabled him to confidently handle issues of public international law, judicial review, human rights and constitutional law. He was Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques on 15 March 2019.
Acting for clients across a wide range of industries, Andrew has represented some of New Zealand’s largest banks, infrastructure companies, and high net worth families.
“Andrew is a recognised leader at the Bar in constitutional law, public law, human rights and trust law,” says Bankside Board Chair, Philip Skelton KC. “We are delighted that he has chosen to join Bankside as an Associate Member.”
Commended as being “very strategic and an incredible advocate” by Chambers and Partners 2025 Asia-Pacific Guide for Dispute Resolution, Andrew has been consistently ranked by Chambers and Partners, as well as Legal 500,Who’s Who legal, International Law Office Client Choice Awards and Best Lawyers, among others.
Andrew has written several leading texts in New Zealand, including on the law of trusts and equity in New Zealand, the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, proposals for a written constitution for New Zealand. He has been widely published overseas. A proficient speaker of German and Italian, Andrew holds Irish and New Zealand nationality.
"It is great to have Andrew join us at Bankside Singapore," says Hon Paul Heath KC on behalf of Bankside Singapore. “His reputation, skill, and expertise in a variety of areas of law enhances the group significantly.”
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