The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Buddle Findlay is a second tier firm,

Clients comment that Buddle Findlay has ‘good support and depth’. In 2008, the practice acted for the arrangers of unsecured subordinated fixed-rate bonds for Fonterra worth NZ$800m. Another highlight was advising Infratil on the refinancing of a NZ$140m redeemable preference share facility. The practice also acted in 2008 for the lenders to the developer of the new Telecom House in Wellington. Paul Farrugia and Peter Owles are considered ‘the best’ by clients.

Within Corporate and M&A, Buddle Findlay is a second tier firm,

Buddle Findlay was involved in a number of key sales and purchases in 2008. Most significantly, the practice acted in the sale of Vector’s Wellington electricity distribution network to Cheung Kong Infrastructure for NZ$785m. In another key transaction, the practice advised Infratil and NZ Bus on their sale of Fullers Ferries to Souter Holdings for NZ$40m. The practice also advised Olam International in its purchase of shares in Dairy Investment Fund and its subscription to shares in Dairy Trust, that would bring its total investment in the company to NZ$101m.

Within Dispute resolution, Buddle Findlay is a second tier firm,

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.

Within Employment, Buddle Findlay is a second tier firm,

Buddle Findlay’s level of service rates ‘highly’ with clients. ‘Highly competent’ Peter Chemis and Hamish Kynaston are praised for their ‘accurate, appropriate and pragmatic’ advice. In December 2008, the practice advised Chevron New Zealand on restructuring its workforce and relocating its head office. Another highlight was assisting KiwiRail with the merger of its infrastructure
and rail transport businesses. The practice also advised GE Money on the implications of downsizing.

Within Intellectual property, Buddle Findlay is a second tier firm,

Buddle Findlay’s John Glengarry is singled out as ‘particularly good’ and as having ‘superior expertise’. The practice acted on the intellectual property aspects of the bid for Frucor, worth over NZ$1.4bn, which included reviewing Frucor’s trade mark portfolio.

Within Legal market overview,

A handful of full-service firms, namely Bell Gully, Buddle Findlay, Chapman Tripp, Kensington Swan, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, Russell McVeagh and Simpson Grierson, dominate much of the New Zealand legal market due to their diverse resources and coverage of the North and South Islands.

Within Projects and resource management, Buddle Findlay is a second tier firm,

Buddle Findlay’s projects practice is recommended for the quality of its individual lawyers. The practice was instructed by Contact Energy on three major projects in 2008, including the Te Mihi Geothermal Power Station, the Waitahora Windfarm and the NZ$1bn Hauauru Ma Raki Wind Farm.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Buddle Findlay is a first tier firm,

One of the most significant transactions handled by the restructuring and insolvency practice at Buddle Findlay was acting for the receivers of Capital and Merchant Finance in a NZ$180m receivership. The practice is also acting for the receivers of one of New Zealand’s biggest dairy farms, worth $30m.

Within Tax, Buddle Findlay is a third tier firm,

Buddle Findlay worked on the refinancing of redeemable preference shares for Infratil Finance which involved updating a binding tax ruling. The practice also advised Titan NZ Funding Trust on New Zealand securitisation programmes, and advised in two transactions concerning repo eligible securities.