Edward Cox

Edward Cox leads Gibson Sheat’s Litigation Team . With over three decades of litigation experience, he acts in disputes where the outcome is critical to our clients.
Edward represents individuals, business owners, professionals, secured lenders, trustees and transport operators in complex civil and commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation. His work spans contract and property disputes, finance and insolvency, regulatory defence, health and safety, defamation, estate claims, coronial inquests, liquor licensing, franchising and trust disputes. 

Clients turn to Edward when experience and sound judgment are essential, particularly when a dispute or investigation threatens their business, reputation or financial future.

Among New Zealand’s more experienced legal advisers in the road transport industry, Edward advises on operator liability and licensing, compliance and legislative change and provides industry advocacy. He has contributed to law reform, including the Chain of Responsibility provisions and amendment of the Fair Trading Act 1986 unfair contract terms provisions to include small businesses (transport operators). He defends operators and drivers in prosecutions, supports industry groups through governance and restructuring issues and has represented families at coronial inquests following fatal incidents. 

Edward has experience in class actions. He acted for over 50 claimants in the MV Rena limitation fund litigation, one of New Zealand’s most complex maritime accident cases and co - led the attempt to launch the class action against a European vehicle manufacturer relating to diesel emissions.
Edward uses court procedures and dispute resolution techniques to create leverage by which clients can resolve disputes to their advantage. He applies for, and defends against, interim relief. He advises clients how and when disputes are likely to resolve between the parties or to be determined in court. He uses claim assessments to advise clients whether they should proceed to court or to accept alternatives outcomes. He uses plain English to enable clients to make sound decisions in complex legal situations.

Edward’s recent work includes:

• building defect claims for plaintiffs successfully resolved through mediation;

• successful defence of a client’s competitor’s Fair Trading Act injunction application;

• successful defence of subdivision design guide injunction application;

• represented a survivor in negotiations resulting from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based institutions;

• defended liquor licensing hearings;

• complex intergenerational family trust litigation;

• Commerce Act prosecution defence;

• Credit Contract and Consumer Finance Act prosecution defence;

• representation in FMA investigation;

• coronial inquest into altitude sickness fatality;

• competition law advice for trade associations;

• successful will validation proceedings.

Edward joined Gibson Sheat in 1997 and became a partner in 2002. He is the firm’s Risk Management Partner and was an inaugural convenor of a NZLS Wellington Standards Committee. He is a NZLS interview panel member for lawyers seeking to practice on their own account.

Outside of work, Edward is active in the outdoors, including sailing at Lowry Bay Yacht Club, and is interested in the forestry industry. He has served on a school board, coached junior rugby at Petone RFC and recently finished leading an incorporated society.