Vimal Nair

Special Counsel

Vimal is an experienced projects and construction lawyer with particular expertise in large infrastructure project procurement and development, as well as in the areas of energy (recently renewables), IT, and digital services. He has provided legal advice both as an external lawyer and as in-house counsel for a diverse range of entities in New Zealand, the UK, the Middle East, and the Asia/Pacific regions.

Vimal has worked across a wide range of industries, including technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, construction, property development, energy and utilities, transport, sports stadiums, arenas and convention centers, port and rail infrastructure, water and wastewater, solid waste, and social infrastructure (such as schools and prisons).

He has extensive experience in the negotiation, drafting, administration, and risk management of a wide range of technology, construction, energy, and procurement contracts, employing different contracting methodologies, pricing structures, and risk allocations. Drawing on his international experience, Vimal strives to provide his clients with pragmatic and commercially minded legal advice to support successful project delivery and the achievement of strategic objectives.

Career highlights

Advised the Crown on all aspects of the CRL project, including drafting the project delivery agreement and sponsors agreement, negotiating with Auckland Council and CRLL. More recently advising Link Alliance on all aspects of the CRL Project both upstream with CRLL and other stakeholders such as Auckland Transport and KiwiRail as well downstream subcontractors.

Advised New Zealand's largest telecommunications provider Spark on all aspects of its datacentre development projects in Auckland.

Advised a number of consortiums as well as lenders on various PPP projects in New Zealand, including Waikeria Prisons, Auckland Prison, Puhoi to Warkworth roading project, NZ Schools PPP, and Serco on its bid as part of the consortium for the Christchurch Men's Prison PPP project.

Advised Ōtākaro Limited (previously CERA) on all aspects including tendering and procurement of Christchurch anchor projects. Key ones include the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, Bus Interchange and Avon River Corridor regeneration projects.

Advising FHL on all aspects of the Interislander ferry replacement project, including negotiations with PMNZ, CPL and KiwiRail on various development and ancillary agreements.

Advising HNZ on various hospital infrastructure projects, including the Palmerston North ED project, the Rapid Capacity Expansion Project and Gisborne Hospital Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade Project.

Advising POTL on the LNG import facilities project.

Affiliations
  • Elected Council member, Society of Construction Law New Zealand
  • Member, Infrastructure New Zealand
  • Member, Property Council of New Zealand
Achievements and recognition
  • Band 1 team, Construction, Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2025
  • Tier 1 team, Construction, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, 2025