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Simpson Grierson

LUMLEY CENTRE, 88 SHORTLAND STREET, PRIVATE BAG 92518, AUCKLAND 1141
Tel:
Work +64 9 358 2222
Fax:
Fax +64 9 307 0331
DX:
10092 AUCKLAND
Web:
www.simpsongrierson.com
Email:
Wellington, Auckland

What we say about the firm's legal practice in New Zealand

Banking and finance

Within Banking and finance, Simpson Grierson is a first tier firm,

Simpson Grierson’s banking and finance practice was involved in shaping and securing a handful of innovative financial transactions in 2008 and 2009. The practice obtained the first listed bond issuance by a local authority in New Zealand in March 2009 for Auckland City Council, a NZ$150m retail bond. Andrew Harkness leads the five-partner practice from the Auckland office.

Corporate and M&A

Within Corporate and M&A, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Simpson Grierson’s 14-partner team, led by Kevin Jaffe, is split between Auckland and Wellington. Simon Vannini was promoted to partner in September 2008. The practice acted for Toll Group on the sale of the New Zealand national rail system back to the Crown.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Simpson Grierson is a third tier firm,

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.

Employment

Within Employment, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Phillipa Muir’s employment practice at Simpson Grierson is one to watch according to clients. In February 2009, the practice successfully defended Telecom New Zealand against a NZ$50,000 claim of unfair dismissal brought by a former employee. The practice was also successful in acting for Toll NZ Consolidated, Auckland City Council and the University of Auckland in
2008.

Intellectual property

Within Intellectual property, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Simpson Grierson advised Mars on its $23bn acquisition of Wrigley’s, and also represented The Church of the Latter-day Saints in 2008 in its appeal to oppose a trade mark application by Robert Sintes. The practice is also advising Sony Music BMG in defence of claims brought by Ogilvy.

New Zealand overview

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.

Projects and resource management

Within Projects and resource management, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Simpson Grierson’s projects practice recently acted for Transpower New Zealand regarding the NZ$800m North Island Grid upgrade project. The practice is also acting for Auckland City Council concerning a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of waterfront land. The team has advised on several other development and redevelopment projects including advising Austral Pacific on the Cheal oil and gas field
project.

Restructuring and insolvency

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Simpson Grierson’s restructuring practice advised McGrath Nicol & Partners on the liquidation of HIH Holdings. A highlight of 2009 was acting for PricewaterhouseCoopers regarding its receivership of Lombard Finance and Investments involving NZ$130m of debt tied up in property developments. The team also tackled a complex restructuring of loan and securities for ASB Bank.

Tax

Within Tax, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Stuart Hutchinson leads Simpson Grierson’s taxation team from the Auckland office. The practice acted for Westpac in High Court proceedings concerning the Commissioner’s assessment of cross-border structured finance transactions amounting to NZ$900m. The practice also advised Mars concerning the tax aspects of the partial acquisition of Wrigley’s for $23bn.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another Simpson Grierson office to view full details of what we say in that region, or choose from this list to view a specific editorial reference in context.

New Zealand

Offices in Auckland and Wellington

Legal Developments worldwide

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • Mandatory Transfer pricing documentation requirements introduce into French tax law

     
    - Melot & Buchet Avocats

  • CORPORATE DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER

    JANUARY 2010 Newsletter
    - George Y Yiangou & Co

  • DIRECTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

    In a Limited Liability Company (”Company”), the Director is one of the Company’s organs who oversees the activities of the Company. In overseeing the activities of the company, the Director has the right and authority to act for and on behalf of the Company.
    - Frans Winarta & Partners

  • Federal Law "On the Principles of State Regulation of Trading Activity in the Russian Federation"

    On 1 February 2010, the Federal Law "On the Principles of State Regulation of Trading Activity in the Russian Federation" (the "Law") comes into force, which will substantially change the rules applicable to trade activities.
    - Baker & McKenzie

  • New Rules for Issuing Domestic Secured Bonds In Russia

    Starting January 2010, amendments to Federal Law No. 39-FZ “On the Securities Market” dated 22 April 1996 entered into force, affecting the issue of domestic bonds by Russian issuers. The new rules will apply to all domestic bond issues to be placed in the market after 31 December 2009.
    - Baker & McKenzie

  • Funds find a New Home in Gibraltar

    Despite numerous proposed changes, Gibraltar is well placed to capitalise on to the proposed European Directive controlling Fund Managers, argues Joey Garcia
    - ISOLAS

  • 2010 quota for foreign workers distributed. List of quota-exempt professions for 2010 approved.

    In accordance with the order distributing the 2010 quota of work permits, a fixed number of work permits can be issued in each Russian region to work in different professions. Thus, for example, for Moscow the general quota for all professions is established at 250,000 work permits (which is considerably less than in 2009), and for St. Petersburg – 210,066 work permits.
    - Baker & McKenzie

  • Plant variety rights in the distribution chain

    Under the system of plant breeders rights, also known as plant variety rights, the breeder of a new variety can obtain an exclusive right to perform certain acts with respect to material [1] of his protected variety. This exclusive right comes in the form of a certificate which is granted by a body mandated to do so,[2] provided that the variety meets the grant criteria laid down in the law. Upon grant of the certificate, and sometimes ever even before, only the breeder of the protected variety[3] is entitled to (re)produce material from the variety, condition it for the purpose of propagation, offer it for sale, sell it or otherwise put it to market, export it, import it, or stock it for any of these purposes. Subject to a number of exceptions and unless authorization from the breeder is obtained, these acts are thus reserved for the breeder of the protected variety. They are referred to as the ‘reserved acts’.
    - ALTIUS (in cooperation with Tiberghien)

  • Changes to the child visitor immigration rules from 1 January 2010

    From 1 January 2010, students from countries outside the European Economic Area will be able to apply to enter the UK for up to six months on an exchange or educational visit to a state-maintained school, a non-maintained special school, an independent fee-paying school or an independent non fee-paying school. They will not require entry clearance, unless they are nationals of countries who require a visa to enter the UK.
    - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

  • Introduction of biometric processing for tier 2 in-country applications  - a reminder

    Regulations extending identity cards for foreign nationals (ICFN) to skilled workers came into force on 6 January 2010. All tier 2 applications made inside the UK now involve the enrolment of the applicant's biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).
    - Penningtons Solicitors LLP
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