Ariana Stuart

Ariana is a senior associate in the Litigation Group. She is a specialist construction lawyer advising domestic and international clients on all stages of project delivery, with a strong focus on collaboration and achieving successful project outcomes. Her expertise spans both front-end and back-end construction matters, including project development, procurement and tendering, contract drafting and negotiation, project administration and execution, and dispute resolution.

Ariana acts for a wide range of industry participants, including principals contractors and consultants across all types of construction and infrastructure projects, including commercial, civil, airports, ports, telecommunications, water, electricity, renewable energy and transport. She is experienced with all procurement models, including PPPs, alliancing, design and construct, construction management, ECI and construct-only, using bespoke arrangements or a variety of industry-standard forms (FIDIC, NEC, and the NZS391X suite).

She is skilled in all dispute resolution forums, including adjudication, arbitration, mediation, and High Court litigation. Ariana has particular expertise in performance bond disputes and multi-party defect claims and works closely with all stakeholders to resolve complex issues with clarity and care. A finalist in the New Zealand Law Awards and a founding member of the Women’s Infrastructure Network Advisory Board, Ariana is known for her strategic thinking and strong client relationships. She is a member of the Society of Construction Law (SCL).