Rebecca Cook

Senior Associate

Rebecca is a specialist construction lawyer with experience across all stages of the project life cycle. Her expertise is in resolving large scale commercial construction and energy disputes.

Prior to returning to Auckland in January 2025 and rejoining MinterEllisonRuddWatts, she spent two years in London working for the United Kingdom’s leading construction and energy practice acting on several projects across the United Kingdom, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

She is highly experienced in all forms of construction dispute resolution, having represented clients in negotiation, mediation, adjudication, arbitration (domestic and international), and court proceedings (NZ High Court and UK TCC). Her construction disputes experience extends to include dispute avoidance and mitigation, including project advisory (delivery), payment claims, defective/incomplete works, variations, delay/extensions of time, practical completion, final accounts, termination/cancellation, and various other construction specific matters.

Acting for the full suite of construction clients, Rebecca advises principals/employers, Crown/Government departments, developers, investors, commercial property owners, main contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and consultants.

Rebecca has been described by clients as “approachable, accessible and a valuable part of our professional support team when needed” – The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022.

She is known for her ability to work collaboratively with clients, becoming an integral part of the project team to achieve “best for client” outcomes. Her technical expertise, extent of construction specific experience, and in-depth industry knowledge set her apart.

Career highlights

Acting for contractors on several international energy projects (including Taiwan, Mozambique, and the United Kingdom) involving commercial settlements, adjudications and international arbitrations.

Advising Metlifecare, one of New Zealand’s largest retirement village operators, in complex High Court proceedings relating to product liability, involving claims of negligence and breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1986 and Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. Ultimately resulted in a confidential settlement on the doorstep of a 29-week trial. Had it proceeded to trial it would have been the second longest trial in New Zealand’s history.

Advising the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Ōtākaro Limited) on disputes arising during the project delivery phase on the Metro Sports Facility and the Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre projects.

Advising Mercury on the delivery of the Turitea Wind Farm project which, when completed, will be New Zealand’s largest windfarm.

Advising international developer, Hengyi Pacific, on matters arising during construction of the 57-storey luxury ‘The Pacifica’ apartment tower in Auckland’s CBD.

Counsel/adviser on numerous complex variations and extensions of time and traditional construction disputes on large scale commercial and capital works projects.

Advising Metlifecare in complex High Court proceedings, involving claims of negligence and breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1986 and Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

Affiliations
  • Member, Infrastructure New Zealand
  • Member, Society of Construction Law New Zealand
Achievements and recognition
  • Band 1 team, Construction, Chambers Asia-Pacific
  • Band 1 team, Energy & Natural Resources, Chambers Asia-Pacific
  • Tier 1 team, Construction, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific