Buyer Beware: Your Barrister Sole Could Be a Fraudster
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolawatkinsnz/
Upon reading a Reddit String and learning of the sad circumstances surrounding the passing of Karl Lindeman in relation to the Du Val Collapse, this blog has been prepared as a warning for Litigants in the Du Val Pool: Background Check Your Counsel
Do not provide retainer funds or instructions to any Counsel unless you have verified they have 'clean hands' and no undisclosed financial ties to the entities they are challenging
As a Self Represented Litigant in Watkins vs Highmark, given the recent discovery that David Hayes and Brett Martelli are more related than they told the Judge, this matrix is designed to show a pattern many litigants who are in a heightened stress response may not think to look for. The NZ Justice System is a business, never forget that. The NZ Judiciary chose not to look at what was placed in plain sight in the case of Watkins vs Highmark Homes and Samson Corporation vs Watkins - Hayes, Martelli, Hunwick. Birds of a feather flock together so I was surprised but not shocked to discover a few days ago they were all related to the collapse of Du Val. When lives, livelihoods and families are involved there are certain individuals who have no concept of the damage they have done. Always look for the patterns and use your gut instinct. Justice will prevail.
Category / Case Reference | Professional(s) Involved | Verified Interconnectivity / Significance | Judge, Source & Page |
FMA / Du Val Challenge | David Hayes, Hunwick Law, Brett Martelli | Leading the Judicial challenge against the FMA regarding the "Equity Swap" and the validity of Statutory Management. The claim was struck out as untenable. | Justice Blanchard CIV-2024-404-2544 [2025] NZHC 1909 [2025] NZHC 1909 |
Du Val Creditor Link | David Hayes, Martelli Yaqub, Hunwick Law | Financial Tie: All three legal parties identified as concurrent unsecured creditors in the Du Val collapse. Role: Du Val Legal Advisors prior to the Collapse | PwC First Report (p. 39) |
David Hayes (Conduct) | David Hayes (Director), Hunwick Law | NZCLC v Lepionka: Judicial finding of "abuse of process." Hayes personally sanctioned for $35,000. | Justice Becroft (Costs), [2023] NZHC 3878 |
Highmark v Watkins (Bankruptcy) | Brett Martelli, David Hayes, Hunwick Law | High Court: Bankruptcy adjudicated. Martelli (Agent) used the sanctioned Hayes/Hunwick team while on Du Val payroll. | Assoc. Judge Brittain, [2025] NZHC 128
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Watkins vs Highmark | R M Upton
| Court of Appeal refuse to Recall Dismissal of Watkins Defamation Proceeding Open Letter to Court of Appeal | French P and Whata J CA685/2024 [2025] NZCA 281 |
Highmark v Watkins (Employment application for Hearing De Novo) | R M Upton former colleague of Judge Kathryn Beck SBM Legal | Employment Court: Orders for security for costs Either/Or $10,396k + $10,000 costs bond to consider a “reopening” of ERA or pay $14,000 David Hayes HC costs | Judge Beck, Prohibitive Costs Award EMPC 443/2023 |
Samson Corp v Watkins | Brett Martelli, David Hayes, Hunwick Law | Enforcement: Debt established after court states there’s no relevance of Minister Little's "Fair Share" Intent regarding COVID relief. | Judge: Blanchard [2024] NZHC 2416
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Samson v Watkins (Appeal) | Brett Martelli, Frana Divich : Article Says Bring Back the Wigs Frana: What do you love about your job? I love solving problems for my clients and resolving claims through alternative dispute resolution. I love the cut and thrust of trials. Exert C/- https://www.thelawyermag.com/nz/about-us Watch for further updates: 105 | District Court: Establishing the $37,000 lease debt used as secondary bankruptcy justification. Frana Divich: Martelli Replacement - The Whodunnit lady employed by Samson (Friedlander)
https://premium.thelawyermag.com/nz-2025-exclusivefeature-lexis-ai-with-protege-redefines-nz-legal-landscape/p/1?utm_source=website&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=idc&utm_content=KMADV-014587 | Judge Becroft, [2023] NZDC 25303
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Trilogy v Samson | HG Holmes Keegan Alexander | Tenant Bankruptcy/Lockout: Documented refusal of COVID relief and immediate lockout strategy. | Justice Whata, [2021] NZHC 177 |
Ryan Investment v Samson | S McAnally, N W Coyle | Costs Strategy: Pursuit of possession and aggressive indemnity costs against a commercial tenant. | Justice Gault, [2020] NZHC 370 |
Samson Corp Structure | Daniel Friedlander, Sir Michael Friedlander, Brett Martelli, Frana Divich - Jilly's Bully | Entity Link: Sir Michael Friedlander was a long-term partner at the firm (Keegan Alexander) enforcing these cases. MEDIA RELEASE PENDING CLICK HERE - FRANA DIVICH INDEX DIAL IN | Samson Corporation Portfolio |
Merx Finance | Brett Martelli (Managing Director) | Finance Link: Private property finance entity Du Val Management Team Lawyer Samson Corporation Lawyer David Hayes non disclosed link to Judge Brittain in Watkins Bankruptcy as interested party for Highmark Homes | Merx Property and Business Finance Merx About Directors
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My sincere condolences go out to the family of Karl Lindeman. May his soul rest in peace.
To the Du Val victims: Keep fighting for Justice.
Nicola Watkins
Self Litigant
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