Darius Shahtahmasebi

Background

Darius Shahtahmasebi loves a challenge – that’s why the legal profession appealed to him. In his ten years as a litigator he has honed his problem-solving and dispute-resolution skills, building enduring relationships with clients and always working towards positive outcomes. For Darius, the job is about making a difference and reaching solutions that help his clients move forward.

Darius is an experienced Court lawyer having appeared in a wide range of contentious litigation in the District Court, High Court and the Court of Appeal, as well as a number of tribunals. Darius also has international experience having practiced at all levels of the Courts in Samoa.

Expertise

• Building Disputes/Construction litigation
• Insolvency including debt recovery
• Insurance including earthquake and landslip insurance claims
• Disputes concerning Bodies Corporate and Incorporated Societies
• Immigration and Refugee Law

Recent Experience

• Successful recovery of 25 million yen (plus interest) owed to a Japan-based vehicle wholesaler, following a 3-day trial (Akashi Trading Co Ltd v Jap Imports Ltd)
• Successfully applying for interim enforcement orders in the Environment Court on an urgent basis.
• Successfully defending High Court proceedings on behalf of an incorporated society against a group of member seeking to appoint receivers/managers (Maida Vale Management Ltd v Lake View Estate Residents Society Inc [2024] NZHC 3291)
• Providing submissions on behalf of said incorporated society in the Court of Appeal, in respect of an application by the original ‘controlling member’ seeking a declaration that it remains the Society’s ‘controlling member’ (Mangawhai Developments Ltd v Lake View Estate Residents Society Inc [2024] NZCA 342)
• Successful strike out application in Family Court proceedings, on behalf of the trustees of a deceased’s estate forced to defend a beneficiary’s application which was brought out of time and contained other jurisdictional issues (Giles v Cain [2023] NZFC 2599)
• Acting in arbitration proceedings for a business partner of a kiwifruit orchard business partnership, seeking to exit the business partnership and sell its shares at fair value

Recognition

• Member of a local community board
• Volunteer at community law centres in New Zealand and Samoa

Recent articles