recognised leaders in the development of the law of negligence

 

 

Ko Tainui te waka,
Ko Pirongia te maunga,
Ko Waipaa te awa,
Ko Ngāti Māhanga o Waikato te iwi,
Ko Ngāti Kūkū te hapū,
Ko Pourewa te tupuna,
Ko Shyrelle Mitchell tōku ingoa.

Shyrelle graduated from Auckland University in 2004 and was admitted to the bar in 2005. She commenced work with Heaney’s in 2004.

Shyrelle receives instructions from New Zealand based insurers on a wide range of issues, typically with an emphasis on professional negligence and public liability claims, statutory liability matters and policy interpretation. Instructions include claims against solicitors, real estate agents, design and build professionals and territorial authorities.  She also assists insureds with Worksafe inspections and investigations and Commerce Commission investigations as well as complaints about breaches of privacy and human rights. 

Shyrelle has appeared before all courts in New Zealand and on a number of occasions as junior counsel in the Supreme Court. 

Shyrelle was appointed an associate in 2010 and became a partner in 2014.

“Since our first sizeable WHRS claim in 2007 the Gisborne District Council has been lucky to have Shyrelle Mitchell and senior associates from Heaney & Partners on our side. They have displayed absolute professionalism, skill, and patience through the often very protracted legal process. Shyrelle is tough when needed, conciliatory at other times, absolutely empathetic but not soft with the other parties despite their circumstances and sometimes lack of PI insurance...”

Ian Petty
Building Services Manager/Gisborne District Council

“...The teamwork that is used in mediation negotiations is seamless and extremely robust. Their knowledge of the Building Act is very thorough, and they know where to stand tough, and where to bend a little. Each time Shyrelle has reinforced my original judgement, proving that a good legal representative can make a bitter pill a lot easier to swallow. I would recommend their services for any council who has a tricky legal issue that must be resolved.”

Ian Petty
Building Services Manager/Gisborne District Council

“Just to pass on comments made to me by our building guys who attended a mediation yesterday in which Shyrelle from your team acted. They were impressed by her. I wanted to ensure you were aware of that assessment.”

Tony Quirk
District Secretary/Marlborough District Council

“In 2013 I required expert advice on a pressing legal REA matter and was directed to Shyrelle. That advice resulted in a successful outcome which has cemented a working relationship that exists strongly today. With an innate ability for detail and problem solving, Shyrelle has provided matter of fact reasoning that has allowed parties to get an outcome and move on effectively and efficiently. I am in an industry where emotions can run high and Shyrelle has provided and continues to provide what I consider the best advice in the business.”

Tom Rutherford
Business Owner/Harcourts Bay of Islands Realty

“It has really been a pleasure working with you. You are possibly the most patient and polite person in the face of irritating Australian lawyers, vacillating clients, rambunctious lawyers and other assorted fools I have ever come across.”

Andrew Ferguson
Claims Manager/Auckland Council

Latest Work

July 15 2020
BODY CORPORATE 378351 V AUCKLAND COUNCIL (HC)

We succeeded in having 14 defects, not part of the original WHRS assessor’s report, struck out.

September 16 2019
SCENIC CIRCLE HOTEL GROUP LTD V WEST COAST REGIONAL COUNCIL & ANOR (HC)

We successfully resisted an application by Stuff for access to the documents on the court file.

July 25 2019
RESTRAINT OF TRADE: WHAT TO CONSIDER IF YOU’RE PURCHASING A BUSINESS

A case recently before the High Court demonstrates the issues at play with restraint of trade when purchasing a business.

April 18 2019
HEANEY & PARTNERS AWARDED BY HARCOURTS

Heaney & Partners won Business Partner of the Year at the annual Harcourts Bay of Islands Awards Dinner.

September 13 2017
Decision of Complaints Assessment Committee: Miao & Dai

We successfully defended a complaint made against real estate agents. The Complaints Assessment Committee determined to take no further action on the complaint.

November 23 2016
Nightingale v James & Ors (DC)

We successfully defended real estate clients from allegations that they had forged initials on a sale and purchase agreement.

March 1 2016
Manchester Securities Limited v Auckland Council (WHT)

We successfully argued in the Tribunal that the claimant’s assignment was invalid, its own claim should be reduced by 50% for contributory negligence and the quantum of the claim should be reduced. The net result was the claim was reduced by nearly 60%.

February 17 2016
Body Corporate 330324 v Brown (City Gardens) (No3) (HC)

We successfully defended an application by a ventilation contractor who sought leave after close of pleadings to file a cross claim against the council.

July 1 2015
Body Corporate 330324 v Brown (City Gardens) (No. 2) (HC)

We successfully applied on the council's behalf to adjourn a 12 week trial when the claimants tabled nearly 1,000 pages of reply evidence 5 weeks before the trial was due to commence.