Presenters

Dr. Anna Kirk, Barrister and Arbitrator, Bankside Chambers
Anna is a commercial arbitrator, adjudicator and barrister, specialising in international arbitration and public international law. Anna is New Zealand's member on the ICC International Court of Arbitration (2021-2024). Anna is also on the Council of the Arbitrator's and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ). Anna has been involved in over 50 arbitrations over the past 15 years as counsel, arbitrator or tribunal secretary. She has extensive experience in arbitrations under the ICC, UNCITRAL, ICSID, LCIA and SIAC Rules. Anna spent a number of years practicing international arbitration in London, representing clients across a range of industries including energy and natural resources, shipping, infrastructure and procurement. When she returned to New Zealand in 2011, she assisted Sir David Williams KNZM, QC with many large international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations. Anna now sits as an arbitrator in both international and domestic arbitrations. Anna also sits regularly as an adjudicator under the Construction Contracts Act. Anna is a Fellow of AMINZ and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK). She is a member of the arbitral panels of AMINZ, ACICA, the NZDRC, HKIAC and SIAC (reserve panel). Anna holds a PhD in international law from the University of Cambridge. Anna regularly publishes and speaks on arbitration-related matters and is a contributing author to Williams & Kawharu on Arbitration (2011 and 2017). Anna also teaches a Masters paper in international arbitration at the University of Auckland. Through her studies she has a particular interest in business and human rights and is available to advise in this area

Sonia Vitas, Special Counsel, Simpson Grierson
Sonia is one of New Zealand’s leading construction and infrastructure lawyers. She has prepared, negotiated and advised on construction and infrastructure projects and disputes across a wide range of industry sectors including energy, building, roading, water and waste water, refuse collection and disposal, telecommunications, electricity and mining. She has particular and extensive expertise in project procurement and documentation. This experience extends from advising on some of the most significant and complex projects ever undertaken in New Zealand to the development of standard tender and contract documentation based on NZS3910 (and related standards NZS3916 and NZS3917) for numerous public and private sector clients used in “business as usual” projects of every value. Her expertise also extends to advising on, funding, cost contribution and entrusted works agreements, Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) agreements, professional services contracts (including those based on CCCS), design build contracts, framework and panel agreements and contracts based on international standard forms such as FIDIC and NEC as well as more specialised and collaborative forms of contracts such as alliancing agreements. Sonia is a member of The Society of Construction Law (New Zealand); The Auckland Women Lawyers' Association; and The Property Law Section, New Zealand Law Society.