Simon Watt

He advises government departments, State-Owned Enterprises, Crown entities and statutory corporations on the regulatory frameworks that apply to them. He is also experienced in corporate governance and restructuring, including organisational design options for future corporate structures. Simon advises on consultation and decision-making processes aimed at fulfilling public law obligations and managing judicial review risks. He also drafts legislation.

Simon has provided substantial advice on the commercial activities of public sector entities, including RFP and tender processes and other forms of procurement. He has extensive experience in contracting in the health sector, advising on contracts with hospitals and other health providers, including pharmaceutical companies, primary care organisations, laboratories, and a broad range of other health service providers.

Since 2008 Chambers Global has consistently ranked Bell Gully as one of only a dozen leading law firms globally in the climate change area and Simon as one of a select group of "band 1" lawyers world-wide identified as leading legal experts in this area. Chambers also describes Simon as "an intelligent and considered adviser who has credibility in both the private and public sector".

Chambers Global 2010 describes Simon as "highly knowledgeable with an excellent grasp of the issues at hand" and the 2009 edition notes that he is "a hard-working and diligent expert in the field' whose reputation precedes him both nationally and internationally".

Simon specialises in climate change work and leads Bell Gully's climate change practice. He has advised on the development of a legal framework for trading in greenhouse gas emissions and on climate change legislation. He also advises businesses both domestically and internationally, on carbon trading and on the implications of the Kyoto Protocol and New Zealand's emissions trading scheme.

Chambers Global 2008 describes Simon as a "knowledgeable, responsive and pragmatic" head of the Wellington public law team.

The ALB Guide: Environment Law 2009 notes clients and peers say Simon does "fabulous work" and is "experienced and innovative". He is also recognised as a leading lawyer in Who's Who Legal 2010 in the environment law field.