Overview
Holly is a dual qualified barrister having been called to the bar in New Zealand in 2011 and then called to the bar of England and Wales in 2021.
Prior to joining Chambers, Holly worked on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry from the very early stages, for over 5 years. She therefore has experience of the full inquiry process. Holly had a lead role in relation to certain aspects of the Inquiry’s investigations, particularly in the field of construction law, including the fire testing of materials, and in investigating the government’s role in establishing the legislative regimes and formulating guidance on how to comply with them.
In New Zealand, Holly primarily acted for local authorities and defended all manner of tortious claims including negligence, nuisance, and Rylands v Fletcher claims The subject matter of such claims has involved building defects (primarily relating to weathertightness), geotechnical issues, and fire.
The claims relating to weathertightness (and what is known in New Zealand as ‘Leaky Building Syndrome’) were often of high value and involved large multi-storey blocks of flats and thus had as many as 200 claimants as well as multiple defendant parties.
Inquests & Public Inquiries
Holly has extensive Public Inquiry experience. Her work has included drafting requests for evidence under rule 9 of the Inquiry Rules, drafting targeted document requests, preparing final cross examination plans for key witnesses, and assessing and making recommendations to the Chairman on applications based on, or arising out of, the Inquiry Rules 2006, the Inquiries Act 2005 and the Inquiry’s own procedural protocols. These have included applications for redactions or restriction orders in relation to confidential material, applications by individuals and organisations for core participant status, and applications under the Inquiry’s vulnerable witness protocol.
Commercial litigation
Prior to joining chambers, Holly was in the Commercial Litigation Team at the Government Legal Department and acted in large construction claims going through adjudication or in the TCC. Holly also acted and advised on procurement challenges.
Holly Waldron
Holly has experience in construction law obtained in New Zealand and in England.
Holly has specialist knowledge of the regulatory regime for fire safety and the testing and certification of construction products. She has a comprehensive knowledge of fire safety legislation and guidance and of the Building Regulations, particularly in relation to Part B and Approved Document B (Fire Safety) and related policy.
LLB and BA (Criminology and Geography) – Victoria University of Wellington
