Scott Thompson
Partner - Construction

Scott is a Partner in MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ construction practice which is ranked Band 1 by international legal directory, Chambers Asia Pacific.
Within the Construction practice, Scott specialises in project delivery and construction disputes including appearing in arbitrations. Clients come to Scott for contract compliance and performance matters and to manage and lead dispute resolution, including in relation variations, extensions of time, non-compliant works and negligence. He has acted on nationally significant infrastructure projects including road, rail, sport, education, and water. Most recently, Scott was and still is part of the core team involved in delivering Transmission Gully for the Wellington Gateway Partnership. This project has faced a range of challenges. As the project delivery specialist, Scott works closely with WGP’s management team to oversee contractual compliance, project delivery issues, and management of disputes between project participants.
Scott is also experienced in contentious rent review disputes.
He tailors his advice and approach to dispute resolution to suit each client’s individual needs and objectives and approaches the lawyer-client relationship as a close strategic partnership.
Scott comes from a commercial background as a transaction and projects lawyer for a tier-one firm in the United States. Having advised public and private companies, banks and private equity firms, Scott understands clients demand high-quality service and consistent, commercially-focused advice. Clients rely on Scott for his pragmatic and strategic approach to dispute resolution and the ability to engage on both legal and commercial issues.
Scott is licensed in New Zealand, New York and Texas.
Professional background
Recent work
Wellington Gateway Partners
Advising on the delivery of the Transmission Gully roading PPP project, in particular overseeing contractual compliance and disputes.
Jacobs
Acting in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitrations, on post-project infrastructure and construction disputes in New Zealand.
AECOM New Zealand
Acting for AECOM on various post-project infrastructure disputes.
Fulton Hogan
Project delivery and disputes management and advice including for roading and water projects.
Rent Reviews
Recent appearances in arbitration for a number of lessee-clients.
Department of Internal Affairs
Advising on project delivery issues and acting in arbitration in relation to the failed design of a recently completed DIA facility.
Ōtākaro, Metro Sports Facility in Christchurch
Advising Ōtākaro on infrastructure disputes arising during the project delivery phase.
Admitted
- New York
- Texas
- New Zealand
Qualifications
- LLM, University of Texas
- LLB, BSc, University of Otago
Specialisations
- Construction disputes
- Dispute resolution and litigation
- Infrastructure
- Mergers and acquisitions
Scott Thompson
- Office
- Auckland
- Phone
- +64 9 353 9994
- Mobile
- +64 27 642 5179
- scott.thompson@minterellison.co.nz
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-b-thompson-44592922/