David Northfield

Senior Associate, Wellington

Contact

+64 4 915 6782 +64 21 470 268 david.northfield@bellgully.com

Expertise

David specialises in regulation, dispute resolution and litigation, and has significant experience in financial services, public and regulatory law.

David brings with him extensive international experience, having spent several years working in the United Kingdom prior to joining Bell Gully in 2024.

David's experience gives him excellent insight into resolving complex litigation and disputes, and he has acted in cases at all levels of the UK courts, including the House of Lords/Supreme Court. He has successfully advised on and led 'mission critical' litigation and advisory projects with strategic implications for clients which involve a wide range of stakeholders.

Qualifications

BA Philosophy University of Leeds

Graduate Diploma in Law Leeds Beckett University

2005 Admitted UK (Middle Temple)

2022 Admitted New Zealand

Professional experience

2020-2024 Financial Ombudsman Service London, UK

2011-2020 Fieldfisher LLP London, UK

2009-2011 Government Legal Department London, UK

2006-2008 Barrister London, UK

Financial Conduct Authority (UK) judicial review

Successful defence of Financial Conduct Authority's decision to institute a deadline for customers making complaints about payment protection insurance (total redress of c.NZ$100bn).

Construction Industry Training Board (UK) judicial review

Successful defence of lawfulness of statutory body's annual NZ$400m levy on employers in the UK construction industry.

Other judicial reviews

Successful defence of a claim for judicial reviews including of a decision that a finance company treated customers unfairly due to a broker's failure to disclose details of commission arrangements, and on jurisdiction to consider historic evidence when deciding whether a lender lawfully increased the standard variable rate paid by thousands of mortgage customers.

Financial services disputes

Advising on complex disputes and investigations encompassing all aspects of consumer financial services, with particular focus on banking, mortgages and consumer credit.

Equalities law

Establishing legal approach on UK equalities law for a public body.

Investigations and audits

Conducting sensitive investigations and audits for several regulators.

Drafting legislation

Drafting legislation, royal charters, rules and byelaws for several public bodies.

The Big Picture: Class Actions

Fraud and Scams Update: Banks commit to new protections – and reimbursement - for scam victims

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015: proposed reform

CCCFA & COFI update: major reforms offer simplification (and a few new challenges)

Fraud and scams update: English Court rules on banks’ duties to non-customers

CBL judgment – CFO found liable as an accessory for continuous disclosure breaches

High Court overturns Whakaari Management Ltd conviction and addresses scope of key legislative provision

24 February 2025

De-banking restrictions back on the table?

19 February 2025

Patenting the Poké Ball – could it happen here?

13 February 2025

Employment and workplace health and safety law in 2025: the only constant is change