Leading lawyer's death reduces men to tears

Top lawyer Robert Fardell, QC, died from drowning, an autopsy has shown. The 52-year-old's body was found in the sand at the high-tide mark on the North Shore's Narrow Neck Beach about 7.20pm on Sunday.

His death has astonished the legal fraternity. Police have not said exactly how he died, but it is understood he may have suffered a heart attack when swimming.

Police said he was found wearing shorts.

His death will be the subject of a coroner's inquest early next year.

Crown prosecutor and friend Simon Moore said people were astonished by his death. "There have been fully-grown men in tears about this."

The pair worked together in the 1980s at Meredith Connell before Mr Fardell became a partner at Russell McVeagh McKenzie Bartleet.

The QC was known as a "screamingly funny" man, a huge "leg-puller", said Mr Moore.

When working at the Crown Law office in Wellington, Mr Fardell was instrumental in persuading the Solicitor-General that a pie warmer was needed in the office for the health of staff.

He was someone who could hold a conversation with you while texting and reading submissions at the same time - "one of the few men who can multi-task", Mr Moore said.

In recent times Mr Fardell had been involved in a civil dispute with a former client who was claiming Mr Fardell had given him bad advice.

Whangaparaoa businessman Vince Siemer had lodged a claim for $960,000 against Mr Fardell that was to be heard in the High Court at Auckland last Tuesday but was adjourned because Mr Siemer has been unable to find anyone to represent him.

Mr Siemer is also known for his battle this year with company receiver Michael Stiassny, a partner at accountancy firm Ferrier Hodgson and chairman of Vector and Metrowater. The dispute was over the placing of Mr Siemer's company in receivership, which was revoked.

Mr Siemer told the Herald he had requested a stay of the proceedings against Mr Fardell but it is understood he is still making an application for costs.