The Legal 500

Bell Gully’s litigation department provides a ‘high level of service’ according to clients. In 2008 and 2009, the practice acted in a number of commercial disputes. For example, acting for ANZ National Bank against claims of credit card price-fixing of interchange fees brought by the Commerce Commission. Ten of the practice’s partners are located in the Auckland office, with two in Wellington. Jenny Cooper and Simon Ladd were made partner in January
2009.

Chapman Tripp’s 11-partner dispute resolution team caters for both the North and South Islands. The Wellington office was recently boosted by the addition of principal Daniel Kalderimis, coinciding with the departure of senior solicitor Josine Wynberg. In August 2008, the practice was successful in defending PGG Wrightson against allegations of an ineffective merger, throughout the first instance judgment, and appeals in the appeal and Supreme courts. The practice comes recommended by clients ‘in relation to public finance reforms’ particularly.

Buddle Findlay acted on behalf of the Electricity Commission on its judicial review to approve the NZ$683m North Island Grid upgrade. The practice also acted as receivers of EXCPL, in two successful (PPSA) claims in September 2008 worth NZ$230,000 and NZ$700,000 respectively.

DLA Phillips Fox acted for Cathay Pacific Airways in relation to the Commerce Commission’s proceedings alleging price fixing. In April 2009, the practice was successful on behalf of Manukau City Council in a dispute over whether the council or the Manukau Pacific Trust was entitled to the profits made on repurchasing a piece of land. The team’s nine partners are split between Auckland and Wellington.

With an ‘excellent grasp of a wide variety of legal issues and the framework necessary to deal with them’, LeeSalmonLong continues to impress clients. Recent highlights include one of New Zealand’s largest professional negligence claims worth NZ$300m, and defending Visa in proceedings alleging breaches of the Commerce Act. Clients include Deloitte, AstraZeneca, BMW and Telstra. Tim Mullins offers a ‘well-balanced, realistic commercial approach’, and name partner Davey Salmon is also recommended.

Clients praise Minter Ellison Rudd Watts’ ‘excellent service’ and highlight Paul Radich as ‘particularly good’. The practice acted for the Bank of New Zealand in credit card claims proceedings brought by the Commerce Commission. Another highlight for the practice was acting for Korda Mentha in its role as receiver for the property development company, Whisper Cove.

Although Russell McVeagh’s dispute resolution team lost a partner in 2008, it has been involved in a number of high-profile cases. One of the biggest achievements for the practice was its successful defence, in September 2008, of Shell Petroleum in the first insider trading case to go to court in New Zealand. The practice is also acting for Bank of New Zealand in a $416m tax dispute. Clients praise the firm’s ‘professionalism, dedication, skill and expertise’.

Kensington Swan splits its large team between Wellington and Auckland. A recent highlight was successfully defending a breach of contract claim on behalf of Waitakere City Council and Waitakere Properties on land worth NZ$7m.

Simpson Grierson acted for Westpac in high court proceedings with respect to over NZ$800m worth of tax. The practice also acted for Rolls Royce in a NZ$150m damages claim regarding the Kinleith Co-Generation Plant.

Wilson Harle was successful in its defence in the first ever insider dealing claim brought by the Commerce Commission concerning credit legislation. The practice also acted in a number of other disputes for clients such as Vector, the Gambling Commission and Vodafone New Zealand.