Arbitrator & Mediator
Nationality: New Zealander
Languages: English
Paul Sills is a leading independent international arbitrator and mediator with over 27 years litigation experience, often involving multi-parties and complex commercial issues. His arbitration and mediation practices reflect this experience, where Paul is often called on to either determine or help resolve complex multi-party disputes.
Prior to becoming a full time neutral, Paul was a civil and commercial barrister but also spent time as a CEO and Director for a number of international businesses including in international freight and transportation where his focus recently has been on energy transition and ESG issues. Paul has also been the Managing Director of an international construction company. Paul retains his Practicing Certificate as a barrister but now works fulltime as a neutral in the UK and globally.
Paul regularly lectures and publishes on dispute resolution in the UK and internationally on topics including fintech, climate change, energy transition, construction and engineering (from both an arbitration and mediation perspective). He runs the Fellowship training for both arbitrators and mediators in New Zealand where he was originally based and sits on the Resolution Institute arbitration committee. He is a Fellow with numerous Arbitration Institutes globally, including CIArb. He has trained at the Harvard Program on Negotiation, again focusing on complex and multi-party disputes. Paul’s engagements in the energy transition sector include an 18-month cross border facilitated negotiation project dealing with solar energy.
In 2022 and 2023 Paul was named by WWL as a Global Leader in mediation. He was also appointed as a chairperson to the European Commission arbitration panel for EU trade disputes.
His commercial background and unique understanding from a client’s and lawyer’s perspective means he is well placed to accept appointments in the below sectors.
Paul has decades of experience as counsel (predominantly as lead counsel) and more recently as arbitrator in general commercial arbitration matters across a wide range of legal issues and subject matter. That experience was all based in jurisdictions that have adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law – New Zealand, Australia or International (Ad hoc). Since relocating to the UK Paul has had several appointments as sole arbitrator under the UK Arbitration Act 1996.
Paul’s arbitration work is supported by 27 years as counsel at all levels in the New Zealand courts plus court work in Australia and Fiji. Paul has also worked alongside senior counsel in Hong Kong in an international matter involving publicly listed companies in Hong Kong (and elsewhere) investing in the New Zealand dairy industry.
Paul is a Fellow with CIArb and a number of arbitration institutes worldwide, as well as an arbitration panel member in numerous jurisdictions.
Paul is a highly qualified and experienced commercial and civil mediator who specialises in the resolution of complex multi-party disputes. Paul uses his extensive commercial experience (as director, CEO and company receiver) to assist the parties explore pragmatic, commercial solutions to their disputes.
Paul is active in both traditional one-day mediations (typically regarding litigated disputes) and early facilitated negotiations between commercial parties (whether as mediator or member of a disputes board). Paul has significant first-hand commercial experience of the benefits of early and continuous engagement by either a single mediator or Dispute Board in long-term projects and commercial relationships.
Conflict avoidance techniques and engagements are a specialty of Paul’s and where he spends significant time globally as a dispute resolution practitioner. Paul has designed a number of risk mitigation ans dispute avoidance processes for businesses and joint ventures where the parties involved have been at various stages of dispute (from early warning signs through to stalemated boards of directors or shareholders). Increasingly Paul is called upon to assist with the risk mitigation, avoidance or resolution of energy transition and related disputes across a number of industries including oil and gas, construction, transport and finance.
Paul’s experience makes him ideally suited for conflict avoidance and corporate diplomacy engagements that require a long-term engagement and the ability to bring together multiple parties and stakeholders to build and maintain strategic relationships and achieve results that are of mutual benefit to all stakeholders.
Paul has extensive experience in the marine industry and shipping disputes – from construction disputes through to international ship arrests. This experience ranges from Paul’s early career conducting search and rescue missions or Exclusive Economic Zone patrols in the Royal New Zealand Air Force through to his experience in the finer detail of superyacht construction, chartering and finance work. Paul’s experience also covers matters such as cargo claims, leasing arrangements and international resource disputes – typically involving fishing rights.
Paul also acted as a receiver for Caterpillar Finance (Asia Pacific) on the receivership and sale of an international superyacht business.
Paul has a passion for Aviation. In the early stages of his career, he was an Orion P3K navigator /tactical co-ordinator in the Royal New Zealand Airforce. It is where he also experienced the law for the first time, acting as witness on the prosecution of numerous fishing vessels caught fishing illegally inside New Zealand’s territorial waters or Exclusive Economic Zone.
Since then, Paul has acted in a wide range of aviation matters from cargo claims through to commercial aircraft accidents and personal injury/fatality claims.
Some specific examples of Paul's aviation experience are highlighted below.
Paul acted for IATA for a number of years dealing with a wide range of disputes involving international travel and related issues under the Warsaw Convention.
Acting on a wide range of commercial issues for several airlines including Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Ansett Australia and Air Pacific. This work included cargo claims, cartel allegations, maintenance and refit issues (including product failure), engineering defects, leasing disputes, accidents, solvency events and financing. This work included the Voluntary Administration of Ansett Australia in 2001 and the subsequent recapitalisation of Air New Zealand by the New Zealand government.
Paul has also acted for secured creditors on several airline receiverships/insolvencies. This work included the seizing of assets (including leased aircraft) located both domestically and internationally.
Acting for numerous underwriters both in the general aviation market and for international airlines including Air New Zealand, Air Pacific and others. Again, the aviation insurance work undertaken by Paul was wide ranging and included representing insured parties at inquests into aviation fatalities.
Paul’s work has included several aviation disasters, both in New Zealand and internationally. Given his legal and military aviation experience Paul was accepted as an aviation accident investigation officer in New Zealand.
Paul has years of experience acting on complex banking and financial disputes as receiver, counsel or mediator. His receivership work includes acting as receiver of a failed finance company following the 2007 GFC. As counsel he acted on the largest joint venture receivership in New Zealand history – between New Zealand based forestry interests and CITIC in China.
Paul is accustomed to working on matters with complex debt and securitisation issues that need careful analysis, often involving a consortium of banks – both domestic and international – with competing interests or priorities that need to be resolved.
Fintech is a strong interest of Paul’s where he is actively engaged in, and publishing on, the use of arbitration and mediation for the resolution of complex Fintech matters involving smart contracts, cryptocurrency and other distributed ledger technology.
Paul has decades of experience in construction, engineering, and infrastructure issues. Paul has acted as lead counsel on numerous construction disputes (from superyachts through to high-rise buildings) both in the courts and in arbitration (international and domestic). Paul acted for the receivers on the receivership of Hartner Construction Ltd in 2000 – at that stage the largest construction company failure in New Zealand.
Paul has also mediated numerous multi-party disputes involving construction, engineering, and infrastructure issues. Paul sat on the advisory board of one of New Zealand’s largest infrastructure companies.
Until his move to the UK Paul was the chairperson of the Master Builders Association Standards Committee – which investigates, hears, and determines all disputes regarding registered Master Builders in New Zealand.
Coupled with his marine practice, Paul has a strong interest and experience in the freight and transport sectors. He has been for over a decade now an independent director of New Zealand’s largest family-owned freight business – which has domestic freight, logistics and international freight divisions.
This expertise sees Paul regularly asked to advise on strategic planning initiatives for the future direction of transport, both nationally and internationally, including green initiatives, energy transition risk mitigation in the transport sector and ESG issues.
Paul has extensive experience in sports law and has represented individuals at an international level in cycling, squash, motor racing and rugby (including All Blacks).
He was the chairperson of the appeals committee for Netball NZ and was an age group adjudicator for Triathlon NZ. Paul has also lectured in sports law at UNITEC Institute of Technology.
Paul is a panel member for the New Zealand Government Sport and Recreation Complaints and Mediation Service.
International and Domestic Arbitration
Three interrelated construction disputes administered by ADCCAC. Main dispute between Employer and Main Contractor in relation to the infrastructure for a large high-end residential development. Two proceedings between the Main Contractor and Sub- Contractors dealing with certain aspects of the infrastructure works.
LMAA Superyacht charter dispute between the owner of the vessel and the charter party addressing the fitness for purpose of the superyacht being charted and breach of contract/loss of enjoyment on the part of the charter party.
50 appointments as sole arbitrator under the UK Arbitration Act 1996
Acting as arbitrator in a domestic arbitration under the Arbitration Act 1996 (NZ) regarding a commercial contract dispute.
Acting as arbitrator in a domestic arbitration under the Arbitration Act 1996 (NZ) regarding a family estate dispute.
Chairperson of the Registered Master Builders Association of New Zealand complaints committee – 30 determinations issued.
New Zealand Regional Councils – 3 determinations issued into the conduct of elected officials.
Acted as senior counsel in 4 International arbitrations involving disputes over superyacht construction contracts.
International and Domestic Mediation (Examples Only)
Property Joint Venture - This matter involved a significant property development joint venture involving three large scale residential developments.
Government Department and Commercial Supplier - This dispute involved a government department who regularly engages with commercial suppliers.
Shareholders Disputes - I have worked on numerous shareholder disputes
Transborder Public Company Dispute - This dispute involved a publicly listed company in New Zealand and a publicly listed company in California.
Commercial Litigation
Lead counsel in a superyacht refit dispute in the Melbourne High Court.
Lead counsel acting for the Fijian Tax Authority in a transfer pricing claim against Fiji Water (estimated damages $1.6 billion Fijian dollars).
Lead counsel on numerous disputes for IATA - New Zealand and Pacific islands.
Lead counsel acting for the receivers of Hartner Construction Limited (at the time the largest construction failure in New Zealand).
Lead counsel acting for the receivers of Carich Training (largest education provider receivership in New Zealand).
Junior counsel acting for New Zealand public company in partnership dispute with CITIC ($2.6 billion).
Junior counsel acting for Air New Zealand on the collapse of Ansett Australia.
Junior counsel acting on behalf of Tainui - the first Maori land settlement with the New Zealand government – value $170 million.
Lead and Jr counsel on numerous aviation disasters including loss of Ansett New Zealand Dash-8, Southern Air fatality, Whanganui Aeroworks fatality.
Independent Arbitrator and Mediator.
Commercial Barrister (since 2004).
AMINZ Deputy Director of Professional Studies (Mediation).
AMINZ Deputy Director of Professional Studies (Arbitration).
Chairman of the Registered Master Builders Association of New Zealand Code of Conduct Committee.
New Zealand Regional Councils – Investigations and determinations on complaints concerning the conduct of elected officials.
Resolution Institute Determinative Committee.
Resolution Institute Arbitration Subcommittee.
Resolution Institute Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee.
Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand – Mediation, Arbitration and Farm Debt Mediation Panels
Netball New Zealand disciplinary committee Chairperson.
Ministry of Justice Landlord/Tenant Dispute Scheme – Mediation and Arbitration Panels.
New Zealand Sport and Recreation Complaints & Mediation Service – Mediation Panel.
Maritime Mediation Centre (Athens) – Panel member.
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) - Mediation Panel member.
2023 - Lexology Getting the Deal Through (Arbitration Edition) – New Zealand Chapter
Author of the country chapter on Arbitration for New Zealand, Lexology - 2022
Assistant Editor at the Kluwer Mediation Blog
2021 Lexology Getting the Deal Through (Mediation Edition) – New Zealand Chapter.
Paul Sills ‘Cognitive Bias in Mediation’ Kluwer Mediation Blog 10 May 2020.
Paul Sills, ‘Cognitive Bias in Ethical Decision making’ (2020) 9 JOFOI 1. https://www.fsprivatewealth.com.au/article/cognitive-biases-in-ethical-decision-making-158322443
Legalwise Seminars, (New Zealand & Australia).
New Zealand Law Society, ‘LawTalk’, (New Zealand Law Society, 2016 - present). Have published a monthly article on ADR in LawTalk since 2016.
Speaking Engagements / Lectures
2021 – to Present: UK and international engagements speaking on Fintech, Climate Change, Construction and Engineering, Energy Transition, arbitration, mediation and dispute boards.
2021 - Legalwise Mediation Masterclass – both New Zealand and Australia
2020 – CIArb Mediation Symposium (London) – Workshop on the Evolving Mediator and Cognitive Biases (Plus Plenary Session)
2020 – Paul Sills, ‘Mediation Best Practice Masterclass’ (Presentation for Legalwise Australasia Seminars, April 2020).
2019 - Paul Sills, ‘Mediation Best Practice Masterclass’ (Presentation for Legalwise Australasia Seminars, November 2019).
2019 – Paul Sills, ‘Cognitive Bias in Ethical Decision Making’ (Presentation for the Arbitrators & Mediators Association New Zealand, September 2019).
2019 – Paul Sills, ‘The Influence of the Law regarding Mediation’ (Presentation for the Arbitrators & Mediators Association New Zealand, July 2019).
2019 – Paul Sills, ‘Cognitive Bias in Ethical Decision Making’ (Presentation for Legalwise Australasia Seminars, June 2019).
2018 - Paul Sills, ‘How to get the Best out of the Opportunity’ (Presentation for Lowndes Corporate & Commercial Lawyers, July 2018).
2018 - Paul Sills, ‘Negotiation, Mediation and Dispute Resolution’ (Lecture to the University of Auckland Law School, May 2018).
2016 – Paul Sills, ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution’ (presentation for the Australian National Mediation Conference).
2014 - Paul Sills, ‘Diversity’ (presentation for the Australian National Mediation Conference).
"Paul is the leading practitioner of a new style of mediation which is more sophisticated and more effective for complex commercial disputes than anything else.”
Lexology
“Very sharp intellectually and very good tactically.”
Chambers & Partners
“Paul builds insight into the real issues at dispute quickly, and is nimble in moving between issues to ensure mediation progresses effectively.”
Lexology
Paul “has been recognised for his excellent work by various professional bodies, both in this country and abroad. Unsurprisingly, he is one of New Zealand’s leading mediators
Lexology
Commercial Mediation
Who's Who Legal 2024
“Most efficient and organised arbitrator I have ever worked with”
Co-Arbitrator, 2024
Paul's enthusiasm and deep thinking about arbitration is infectious
+44 (0)207 936 7070 
