Lovegrove & Cotton Construction Lawyers – New Zealand

Expert Construction Law & Regulatory Compliance

Lovegrove & Cotton Construction Lawyers, are experts in construction law and building regulation, are now offering expert legal services across New Zealand. Its counterpart in Australia Lovegrove and Cotton Construction and Planning Lawyers has a legacy spanning over 30 years, during which time it has provided legal and policy advice to Crown entities, local government, corporate clients, and construction professionals.

Our Legal Services

We can provide comprehensive legal support tailored to the New Zealand construction industry, including:

• Construction Disputes – Representing developers, builders, engineers, and councils in complex disputes.
• Regulatory Compliance & Governance – Advising Crown entities and regulators on the design of best-practice construction laws.
• Construction Contracts & Advisory – Negotiation, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution.
• Building Practitioner Licensing & Disciplinary Advocacy – Representing construction professionals in licensing and compliance matters.
• Fire Cladding & Safety Compliance – Advising on fire safety and defect resolution strategies.

Our New Zealand Leadership Team

Justin Cotton – Principal

Justin Cotton did his law degree in Auckland and is a construction law expert with over 20 years of experience, focusing on construction disputes, regulatory compliance, and practitioner advocacy. He is admitted to practice in both New Zealand and Australia and can be retained to provide expert construction law advice on both sides of the Tasman . 

Adjunct Professor Kim Lovegrove MSE, RML – Founder & Chairman of IBQC

Admitted to the High Court of Auckland in 1985, has nearly 40 years of experience in construction law and regulatory reform. He is the Chairman of the International Building Quality Centre (IBQC)and has advised governments worldwide, including work for the World Bank on building law reform in Mumbai, Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, and Malawi.

Kim holds four concurrent honorary professorships at four different universities and has held key governance roles, including past Chairman of the Victorian Building Practitioners Board and past President of the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) Northern Chapter.

Tsigereda Lovegrove – Practice Manager

Tsigereda Lovegrove is the Practice Manager at Lovegrove & Cotton Construction Lawyers. She is the Secretary of the IBQC Dispute Resolution Committee and is expected to be admitted to practice in New Zealand by the end of the year.

Tsigereda is a construction lawyer in Australia and serves as Practice Manager at Lovegrove & Cotton Construction Lawyers. She is expected to be admitted to practice in New Zealand by the end of the year.

Why Choose Lovegrove & Cotton Construction Lawyers?

• 30+ years of experience in construction law and regulatory compliance.
• Recognized experts in trans-Tasman legal frameworks.
• Proven track record advising governments, councils, and private sector clients.
• Nationwide service – serving clients  across New Zealand and can take instructions via way of video conferencing.

Contact us

Email: enquires@lclawyersnz.com

For more New Zealand related content please see below.

• Kim Lovegrove FireNZ Presentation; “What an International Best Practice Building Act Looks Like – Key Learnings From 30 Years Experience in Law Reform”
• Kim Lovegrove FireNZ presentation; “How to Inoculate the Design of Building Regulation From Failure”
• Adjunct Professor Kim Lovegrove MSE, RML Presenting to the Society of Construction Law New Zealand on the Topic of Divergent Approaches to Joint Tortfeasor Liability Apportionment between Australia and New Zealand 
• Sky News interview on Kim Lovegrove’s recommendation on how to improve the New Zealand Building Act. 
• A contrast and comparison between the Building Act 1993 (Victoria) and the Building Act 2004 (New Zealand)  
• Some ideas on how to renovate the New Zealand Building Act to embrace International good practice
• New Zealand’s Vexed 10-Year Limitation Period and Comparison with Victoria’s Clear liability long tail – A Remedy for Consideration.