LLB, LLM, PhD (Otago)
Contact
Tel +64 3 479 3781
Office 9th Floor - 9C13
Email simon.connell@otago.ac.nz
Teaching
Contract Law (including Advanced Contract), Accidents and the Law, Insurance Law
Research interests
Simon’s research focuses on contracts and accidents. He is also interested in insurance, which is an intersection between the two.
Within contract law, Simon is most interested in contract interpretation and related doctrines, and the unique features of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Contract Law. His contract law research has addressed topics including: the doctrine of non est factum, the rule against penalties, online contracting by consumers, the interpretation of registered documents, and the relationship between contract law and contractual practice.
Simon's “Accidents and the Law” research is broadly concerned with how different areas of the law respond to the same 'accident' events, the different conceptions of a just outcome that sit behind those different areas of law, and how we resolve any conflicts between them. For example, a workplace accident could lead to compensation for the victim through the no-fault accident compensation scheme, an investigation under our workplace health and safety regime leading to the employer being convicted and ordered to pay reparation to the victim, and a possible tort claim for exemplary damages in negligence.
His work in both areas has been cited by appellate courts in New Zealand, as well as by other academics. As well as conventional academic publications, he has written a number of short pieces for public-facing venues.
Background
Simon joined the Faculty in 2014, before which he was a postgraduate student (LLM and then PhD) at Otago. Prior to that, Simon worked for the Accident Compensation Corporation.