01 – MY PRACTICE
Richard Best Law.
I handle most matters myself. Larger or multi-disciplinary projects may involve two or more members of Interwoven Law (for example, when Interwoven Law acts as a fractional GC).
Richard Best Law is a specialist legal practice in Wellington, focused on work where any of AI, government, contracting, privacy, public law and technology overlap – matters that don't sit cleanly inside an everyday commercial or public law brief.
The model is deliberate: a sole practice, run by a senior practitioner doing the work directly. I've practised since 1996 – in Wellington, London, Frankfurt, and Wellington again from 2006 – with extended periods embedded as an in-house lawyer in technology-related business units at the State Services Commission and Department of Internal Affairs.
Alongside the legal practice, I've built online tools since 2005. This usefully informs how I approach some of the matters that come across my desk.
ADMITTED
1996
Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Later qualified as Solicitor of England & Wales.
IN PRACTICE
30 yrs
Dispute resolution, then embedded government in-house counsel, then specialist sole practice.
EMBEDDED IN-HOUSE
6 yrs
At SSC (2006–2009) and DIA (2009–2011). Authentication Programme, then ICT Branch, then Government Technology Services.
AOG LEGAL SERVICES PANEL
3x
Placed on all three iterations of the All-of-Government External Legal Services Panel: Best + Hancock 2011, Interwoven Law 2017 & 2024.
02 – WORKING AT SCALE
The Interwoven Law alliance.
For larger or multi-disciplinary projects or engagements, the sole practice gears up through Interwoven.
Interwoven Law is an alliance of independent Wellington lawyers from separate legal practices who share resources and expertise to serve clients on larger or cross-disciplinary matters. I've been a member since its inception in 2012. The alliance holds a place on the All-of-Government External Legal Services Panel.
03 – CAREER
Where the experience comes from.
Three phases: dispute resolution in Wellington and Europe, embedded government in-house counsel, and fourteen-plus years of specialist sole practice.
2012 - present
Sole practice, Wellington.
Barrister & Solicitor — Richard Best Law
Specialist practice in AI, government and commercial contracting, privacy, copyright and licensing, public law, and the technology that runs through all of it.
2009-2011
Department of Internal Affairs.
In-HOUSE COUNSEL - GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Embedded in Government Technology Services (which transferred from SSC to DIA) and subsequent iterations of it. Continuous involvement in a wide range of technology law issues, public sector procurement, ICT contracting (single, panel, syndicated and common capability supply), privacy law issues and developments, and public law issues.
2006-2009
State Services Commission.
In-HOUSE COUNSEL - All-of-Government Authentication Programme & ICT Branch
Embedded in the All-of-Government Authentication Programme and then the wider ICT Branch. Continuous involvement in technology law, public-sector procurement, ICT contracting (single, panel and syndicated supply), open data and copyright matters (including NZGOAL and the IPR Guidelines), privacy, and public law.
2006
Commerce Commission.
In-HOUSE COUNSEL - GAS INQUIRY JUDICIAL REVIEW
In-house counsel on the judicial review proceedings against the Commission arising from the Gas Inquiry.
2001-2005
Ashurst, Frankfurt.
LITIGATION SOLICITOR
Large-scale international commercial arbitrations, commercial contracting work, and product-liability class actions.
2006
Ashurst, London.
LITIGATION SOLICITOR
Large commercial contract disputes, professional negligence actions, judicial review proceedings, and international commercial arbitrations.
2006
Bell Gully, Wellington.
LITIGATION SOLICITOR
Involved in, among other things, a wide range of public law and commercial law matters, including Roussel-Uclaf v PHARMAC from High Court to Privy Council.
04 – PROFESSIONAL
Admissions, education, contact.