Simon Watt

Simon specialises in climate change law and in providing commercial and public law advice to public sector entities.

He advises government departments, State-Owned Enterprises, Crown entities and statutory corporations on the regulatory frameworks that apply to them. He is also experienced in corporate governance and restructuring, including organisational design options for future corporate structures. Simon advises on consultation and decision-making processes aimed at fulfilling public law obligations and managing judicial review risks. He also drafts legislation.

Simon has provided substantial advice on the commercial activities of public sector entities, including RFP and tender processes and other forms of procurement. He has extensive experience in contracting in the health sector, advising on contracts with hospitals and other health providers, including pharmaceutical companies, primary care organisations, laboratories, and a broad range of other health service providers.

Chambers Global 2008 also describes Simon as a "knowledgeable, responsive and pragmatic" head of the Wellington public law team.

Simon also specialises in climate change work and leads Bell Gully's climate change practice. He has advised on the development of a legal framework for trading in greenhouse gas emissions and on climate change legislation. He also advises businesses both domestically and internationally, on carbon trading and on the implications of the Kyoto Protocol and New Zealand's emissions trading scheme.

Chambers Global 2008 ranks Bell Gully as one of only 12 leading law firms globally in the climate change area and names Simon as one of just 10 partners world-wide identified as international legal experts in climate change.

Chambers describes Simon as "an intelligent and considered adviser who has credibility in both the private and public sector" for his climate change expertise.