Geoff White

Senior Associate

Geoff is an experienced projects and construction lawyer with a focus on dispute resolution. He specialises in complex and high value projects and disputes, particularly in the infrastructure, renewable energy, and property sectors.

Geoff advises both public and private sector clients through the entire project lifecycle. He assists clients with procurement strategy and contract drafting. During the execution phase of a project, Geoff acts as project counsel (including advising on delivery strategy, identification and mitigation of risk, and dispute avoidance).

He also advises on dispute resolution (both alternative and formal dispute resolution). Geoff represents claimants and respondents in a range of dispute resolution processes including adjudication, mediation, international and domestic arbitration, and court proceedings. He has significant experience in ICC, LCIA, DIAC, and DIFC-LCIA arbitration.

Prior to returning to MinterEllisonRuddWatts in 2021, Geoff spent seven years based in Dubai, working for Clyde & Co LLP. He was a Senior Associate in the MENA region’s top projects and construction team (ranked Tier 1 in both The Legal 500 and Chambers directories). Between his international and local experience, Geoff has advised on some of the most high-profile projects in New Zealand and the MENA region. This includes nationally significant infrastructure projects such as Transmission Gully, the Turitea Wind Farm, the HVDC Inter-Island Link, NZTA State Highway 20, Burj Khalifa, Dubai International Airport, Riyadh Airport, Riyadh Metro, and the Mecca Metro.

Clients value Geoff’s vast experience and knowledge of their industry. He works closely with client teams to understand the commercial drivers of their businesses so that he can manage risk and achieve commercial solutions to the challenges of major projects.

Geoff is a member of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand Inc (AMINZ) and the Society of Construction Law. He lectures in construction law at the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology.

Career highlights

Advising New Zealand energy provider, Mercury Energy, on the design and construction of a major company infrastructure project, the Turitea Wind Farm. When completed, this will be New Zealand’s largest wind farm and one of the largest wind farms in the world.

Advising Wellington Gateway Partnership on all aspects of Transmission Gully project, the first roading project in New Zealand procured through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. It is a key component of the Wellington Northern Corridor Road of National Significance.

Advising a leading global contractor on several complex disputes arising during the New Zealand HVDC Inter-Island Link project under a FIDIC based EPC contract.

Acting for leading Australasian contractors on claims exceeding NZD50 million relating to the NZTA State Highway 20 project, which resulted in a negotiated settlement avoiding litigation.

Acting for the main contractor joint venture in International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration concerning a USD3 billion dispute with the employer around the construction of the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai, UAE.

Representing an enabling works subcontractor in an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration concerning a USD130 million claim against the main contractor related to an iconic super tall tower project in Dubai, UAE. Resulted in an award for the entire substantive claim and full costs.

Providing project counsel and formal dispute resolution advice to Ma’aden for a USD8 billion mining project of strategic national importance.

Affiliations
  • Member, Society of Construction Law New Zealand
  • Member, Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand Inc (AMINZ)
  • Member, Infrastructure New Zealand
Achievements and recognition
  • Band 1 team, Construction, Chambers Asia-Pacific
  • Tier 1 team, Construction, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific