Biography
Ali van Ammers is an Auckland based barrister with significant experience in CIVIL litigation. A clear thinking and technically excellent lawyer with strong analytical skills and sound judgment, she provides top quality representation and legal advice to a wide range of clients.
Ali is a passionate, client focused advocate. As a natural problem solver and relationship builder she works closely with clients to understand their needs and deliver pragmatic, creative and tailored outcomes.
Ali began her legal career in Wellington in the Russell McVeagh litigation team. She then spent two years as an Assistant Crown Counsel at Crown Law. After a secondment to Treasury, Ali returned to private practice. She joined the MinterEllisonRuddWatts disputes resolution team as a senior solicitor in 2014 and was promoted to senior associate in 2018. She joined the independent bar and became a member of Mills Lane Chambers in 2019.
Ali has appeared as counsel in the Taxation Review Authority, High Court and Court of Appeal on substantive and interlocutory matters. She has represented clients in arbitrations and in their interactions with regulators, including at Commerce Commission interviews.
Throughout her career, Ali has been involved in numerous high value, high profile disputes. As a result, she is undaunted by complexity, well-practised at operating in large legal teams and adept at working across disciplines and with expert witnesses.
Ali’s experience includes:
Acting for the plaintiffs in a representative action against ANZ and ASB alleging breaches by the banks of their variation disclosure obligations under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 (see bankingclassaction.com).
Being a member of the pro bono team representing survivors of sexual abuse at Dilworth School and working to obtain justice and redress for those survivors (see dilworthclassaction.com).
Acting for a property developer in a family dispute over a substantial property portfolio owned by related companies and trusts.
Acting for a holding company in a claim against an employee of its operating subsidiary alleging conspiracy by unlawful means.
Acting for a faith-based institution engaging with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in the Care of the State and in the Care of Faith-Based Institutions.
Acting for a joint venture party in a cross-border dispute relating to a resort in Fiji.
Acting for a large, international client on several streams of multiparty oil and gas litigation, including in a six week arbitration.
Acting for a Ebert Construction Ltd in a significant Companies Act 1993 voidable transactions case.
Being a member of the team acting for Z Energy in relation to the New Zealand Customs Department’s enforcement of alleged historic liability for excise duty on “manufactured” fuel.
Acting for the Commissioner of Inland Revenue in long running, labyrinthine, tax disputes and working with intellectually challenging legal concepts such as tax avoidance.
Being a member of the Crown Law team representing the Crown in defending Kim Dotcom’s claim for damages for breach of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
Acting for the Ministry of Health in judicial review proceedings brought by the Problem Gambling Foundation in relation to the Ministry’s procurement processes.
Being a member of a team representing a major bank in Commerce Act 1986 proceedings brought by the Commerce Commission and retailers against Visa, Mastercard and the New Zealand banks.
As well as her legal skills, clients value Ali’s obvious commitment, responsiveness, and clear, transparent communication. Her offbeat sense of humour and grounded, friendly interpersonal style make her engaging and enjoyable to work with.
