The cross-border lawyer: Tony Pearce speaks to LawNews NZ
Although based in Plymouth, Devon, Partner Tony Pearce has built a legal career with strong ties to New Zealand. A specialist in contentious wills and trust disputes, Tony is the only overseas member of The Law Association’s Trust Law Committee, where he contributes insights from the UK while learning from a jurisdiction he describes as “extremely well advanced” in trust law.
Tony’s interest in New Zealand dates back to the 1990s, when he completed the academic requirements to qualify for admission to the New Zealand High Court. Plans to relocate did not eventuate, but his professional interest in New Zealand law never diminished. Today, cross-border disputes form a large part of his practice, often involving expats, dual residents, and estates with assets in both countries.
His work spans highly personal family disputes to complex international litigation involving assets in multiple jurisdictions such as Dubai, Singapore, and New Zealand. Recent cases have included claims against English wills by New Zealand-based clients, challenges to questionable appointments of personal representatives, and investigations into asset transfers across borders.
Tony sees New Zealand’s legal system as progressive, pointing to the Trusts Act 2019 as an example of reform that has streamlined an area of law still fragmented in the UK. Despite statutory differences, the shared common law heritage means both countries’ courts continue to draw on each other’s decisions, maintaining a close link between the two systems.
Alongside his case work, Tony invests considerable time in professional development and knowledge sharing, producing regular updates for his New Zealand colleagues that both support them and keep him up to date with Northern Hemisphere developments.
At Spencer West, Tony’s international focus is reflected in the firm’s collaborative, fee-share model, which avoids the bureaucracy of traditional firms while enabling seamless cross-border work. With the firm now looking to expand in New Zealand, Tony is set to play a key role in connecting with local lawyers and firms interested in joining a flexible international network.
For Tony, New Zealand remains a professional constant, bridging geography through shared legal principles, collaborative networks, and a practice that thrives on cross-border complexity.
Read the full article here: The cross-border lawyer: why Devon-based Tony Pearce has a foot firmly planted in Kiwi trust law
