Shukti Sharma

Senior Associate

Shukti is a specialist construction and project disputes lawyer.

Experienced across a range of dispute resolution forums, Shukti has represented clients in the High Court and Court of Appeal, and in arbitrations, adjudications and mediations. She advises on a wide range of issues including project delivery, negligence, latent defect claims, and consultancy/construction contract disputes relating to variations, extension of time, and defective works.

Shukti acts mainly for principals and consultants, but also advises other participants in the construction and infrastructure industry. She has significant experience advising and representing owners of retirement villages.

She also has expertise in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and was part of the legal team providing project delivery advice to the Wellington Gateway Partnership on the Transmission Gully motorways.

Clients value Shukti’s technical and commercial skills. As an innovative adviser known to quickly grasp challenging issues and concepts, she is an asset on highly technical disputes and projects. She is trusted by clients to bring a solutions-focused and pragmatic approach to resolving issues.

Shukti is also passionate about thought leadership, regularly writing on legal and project related issues affecting New Zealand’s construction industry. She has contributed to significant publications including the New Zealand Law Journal and the New Zealand Business Law Quarterly. She is a member of the Society of Construction Law and Infrastructure New Zealand.

Career highlights

Representing Metlifecare Retirement Villages Limited in a complex, multi-million-dollar High Court proceeding involving claims based in negligence and breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1986.

Advising Wellington Gateway Partnership on the delivery of the $1.25 billion Transmission Gully motorways, the first roading project to be delivered as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in New Zealand.

Acting for AECOM on a post-project infrastructure arbitral dispute.

Representing Auckland Council in multi-party, defective building claims.

Defending Bostik in the Victopia (2016) High Court litigation which ultimately resulted in abandonment of claim mid-trial.

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