​Name: 
Paul Sills FPD
Location:  
New Zealand & United Kingdom 
Contact details: 
+64 21880007 or +44 7 848 893616
Detailed CV available on request from Prime Dispute. 

Qualifications: 
Barrister, LLB (Hons), FAMINZ (med), FMIArb, FCIArb, FPD

Specialisation: 
International & Domestic Arbitration; International and Domestic Commercial Mediation; Commercial litigation
​
Languages:
English

Regions served: 
United Kingdom, New Zealand, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and further international regions as requested
Industry Sectors:*​​​​
  • Construction
  • Contract
  • Banking & Finance
  • Commercial & Corporate
  • Transport
  •  Marine

Practice Areas: *​​​
  • Arbitration​​
  • Arb-Med
  • Dispute Boards​
  • Emergency Arbitration 
  • ​Med-Arb
  • Mediation

Online Dispute Resolution:
Significant experience via Zoom

Recent Publications:
  • Paul Sills ‘Cognative Bias in Mediation’ Kluwer Mediation Blog 10 May 2020.
  • Paul Sills, ‘Cognitive Bias in Ethical Decision making’ (2020) 9 JOFOI 1. https://www.fsprivatewealth.com.au/article/cognitive-biases-in-ethical-decision-making-158322443
  • Legalwise Seminars, (New Zealand & Australia). Monthly article on ADR in Legalwise (online) 2018 - present.
  • New Zealand Law Society, ‘LawTalk’, (New Zealand Law Society, 2016 - present). Monthly article on ADR in LawTalk since 2016. 
Speaking/Lecturer Engagements
  • 2020 – Paul Sills, ‘Mediation Best Practice Masterclass’ (Presentation for Legalwise Australasia Seminars, April 2020).
  • 2019 - Paul Sills, ‘Mediation Best Practice Masterclass’ (Presentation for Legalwise Australasia Seminars, April 2020).
  • 2019 – Paul Sills, ‘Cognitive Bias in Ethical Decision Making’ (Presentation for the Arbitrators & Mediators Association New Zealand, September 2019).
  • 2019 – Paul Sills, ‘The Influence of the Law regarding Mediation’ (Presentation for the Arbitrators & Mediators Association New Zealand, July 2019).
  • ​2019 – Paul Sills, ‘Cognitive Bias in Ethical Decision Making’ (Presentation for Legalwise Australasia Seminars, June 2019).
  • 2018 - Paul Sills, ‘How to get the Best out of the Opportunity’ (Presentation for Lowndes Corporate & Commercial Lawyers, July 2018).
  • 2018 - Paul Sills, ‘Negotiation, Mediation and Dispute Resolution’ (Lecture to the University of Auckland Law School, May 2018).
  • 2016 – Paul Sills, ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution’ (presentation for the Australian National Mediation Conference).
  • 2014 - Paul Sills, ‘Diversity’ (presentation for the Australian National Mediation Conference).​

​
Background information: 
Paul Sills is an independent international arbitrator and mediator who commenced practice in New Zealand as a commercial litigator. In addition to 25 years experience in court Paul has spent time as a CEO and managing director of a number of businesses and acted as receiver on several corporate insolvency matters. Paul Sills now focuses on international arbitration and mediation work.

International and Domestic Arbitration:
  • Paul Sills has acted as senior counsel in 4 International arbitrations involving disputes over superyacht construction contracts;
  • Acted as arbitrator in a domestic arbitration under the Arbitration Act 1996 (NZ) regarding a commercial contract dispute;
  • Acted as arbitrator in a domestic arbitration under the Arbitration Act 1996 (NZ) regarding a family estate dispute;
  • ​Chairperson of the Registered Master Builders Association of New Zealand complaints committee – 12 hearings conducted and determinations issued in the last six months; 
  • New Zealand Regional Councils – 3 investigations and determinations issued into the conduct of elected officials in the last 12 months.
International and Domestic Commercial Mediation:
  • Property Joint Venture - This matter involved a significant property development joint venture involving three large scale residential developments;
  • Government Department and Commercial Supplier - This dispute involved a government department who regularly engages with commercial suppliers;
  • Shareholders Disputes - Paul has worked on numerous shareholder disputes;
  • Transborder Public Company Dispute - This dispute involved a publicly listed company in New Zealand and a publicly listed company in California. 
Professional Memberships
  • Prime Dispute Fellow - FPD;
  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, U.K (CIArb) – Fellow;
  • Fellow of the Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators;
  • Arbitrators and Mediators Association of New Zealand (AMINZ) – Fellow;
  • New Zealand Law Society;
  • New Zealand Bar Association;
  • Admitted to practice at the AFIC Court – Kazakhstan;
  • Previously admitted to practice in Fiji - acting on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Detailed CV available on request from Prime Dispute. 
*Prime Dispute also provides a 'Formal Appointment Service', All our senior neutrals who are officially appointed will need to comply with our ' Formal Criteria' before nomination.
*Conflict checks would need to be undertaken prior to the neutral being formally appointed.