The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Bell Gully is a first tier firm,

Consistently noted for its strength in depth and value for money, Bell Gully delivers ‘extremely well-researched and appropriate advice’ which ‘stands the test of time’. Murray King advised Motor Trade Finances on its securitisation structure, and on the first rated note issue from a securitisation trust in the New Zealand market since the global financial crisis; and David McPherson advised SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited on its NZ$400m syndicated refinancing. The firm is also advising the Department of Corrections on New Zealand’s first central government PPP, the Wiri Prison project.

Within Corporate and M&A, Bell Gully is a first tier firm,

Bell Gully’s ‘deep’ team provides ‘fast, commercial advice’ which is ‘focused on the end outcome’. Brynn Gilbertson, noted for his ‘very strong technical skills’, advised building materials manufacturing and distribution company Fletcher Building Limited on its successful NZ$1bn takeover offer for Australian building products company Crane Group Limited. The firm also advised Suncorp-Metway Limited on the New Zealand aspects of its $128.5m sale of Tyndall Investments to Nikko Asset Management and its NZ$42m sale of New Zealand Guardian Trust to The Trust Company.

Within Dispute resolution, Bell Gully is a first tier firm,

Bell Gully’s team is ‘very professional’ and ‘very engaging’; the ‘service is excellent’. It continues to attract instructions in the most significant commercial cases. Ralph Simpson (‘very clinical and precise’) is advising subsidiaries of Australian and New Zealand companies in a dispute over the use of optional convertible notes, while David Cooper is acting in the groundbreaking Feltex litigation.

Within Employment, Bell Gully is a second tier firm,

Bell Gully’s team is led by Rob Towner , who is ‘excellent to deal with’ and gives ‘sound and clear’ advice. It undertakes a mix of contentious and non-contentious work, including corporate support. It advised PRI Flight Catering in the first case on the transfer of employees under new employment legislation, and also advised on the New Zealand aspects of ADT Security’s acquisition of Signature Security.

Within Intellectual property, Bell Gully is a second tier firm,

Bell Gully sees a good flow of IP work from its corporate/commercial practice, ranging from registration to disputes. Service levels are ‘excellent’, and advice is in ‘plain English and commercial’. The team is acting for PepsiCo, and recently advised on significant transactions for Yellow Pages Group and Reckitt Benckiser.

Within Projects and resource management, Bell Gully is a first tier firm,

Bell Gully has ‘tremendous depth of talent over a broad area’. Chris Gordon is recommended for his ‘good service ethic’ and ‘strong affinity for client relations’. Andrew Beatson was successful in the High Court in relation to Meridian Energy’s Project Hayes, the hotly contested NZ$2bn project in Central Otago involving 176 wind turbines. The firm also won the Treasury adviser role on the development of New Zealand’s model PPP terms. David Coull is recommended.

Within Real estate and construction, Bell Gully is a second tier firm,

Bell Gully advised on complex ground lease arrangements for the first hotel to be developed on Auckland International Airport land. It also advised Cooper & Company on its redevelopment of the Britomart precinct, the largest historic restoration project to be undertaken in New Zealand. Andrew Petersen is recommended.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Bell Gully is a first tier firm,

Bell Gully has a multidisciplinary practice drawing on its litigation, corporate and financial services capabilities. The firm has seen significant instructions across large corporate restructurings, claims against directors and auditors, and property receiverships. Highlights included the debt and corporate restructuring of Yellow Pages Group, a NZ$130m claim against Nathans Finance NZ, and a NZ$600m claim against Bridgecorp Limited in a separate matter on behalf of PwC as receivers.

Within Tax, Bell Gully is a first tier firm,

Bell Gully has an ‘incredibly strong commercial client base’, and its ‘industry knowledge and appropriateness of advice are always excellent’. Recent work highlights include advising Christchurch-based AMI Insurance on the establishment of a NZ$500m capital facility, and acting for Alesco New Zealand Limited in what is likely to be a test case regarding the use of optional convertible note hybrid funding arrangements. The firm continues to represent some of the world’s best-known corporations.