My experience includes commercial litigation and competition law / other regulatory specialities.

I have represented clients in all manner of disputes including in the courts, arbitrations (domestic and international), mediations, other adjudications, tribunals, Commissions of Inquiry and Ministerial Inquiries. I have had extensive involvement acting for clients in regulatory investigations. I have advised in many different industries: from financial services to the electricity market; from air cargo to washing powder; from petrol stations to car parking. My work has given me a deep knowledge and understanding of several industries and of business drivers. But, I also enjoy learning about new sectors.

Examples of work and clients I have found of significant interest include:

  • I advised ANZ Bank for many years including, for example: providing extensive advice on CCCFA obligations; acting in litigious matters including in the defence of two class actions (one alleging errors in disclosing loan details and the other seeking recovery of certain bank fees); and in various Commerce Commission matters including in a CCCFA investigation, in Commerce Act proceedings alleging the price fixing of multilateral interchange fees and in a Fair Trading Act prosecution relating to currency conversion fees.

  • I acted for Australian listed company, Ampol, on all the competition law aspects of its $1.7 billion acquisition of Z Energy. I led all engagements on this aspect of the transaction obtaining a Commerce Commission clearance, supported by a negotiated divestment undertaking in relation to Ampol’s Gull business.

  • I acted for the Commerce Commission in action against Wilson Parking, one of the few court actions brought under the business acquisition section of the Commerce Act.

  • I acted for the Electricity Authority for many years on multiple projects involving its regulation of the electricity sector including successfully representing it in judicial reviews of the Transmission Pricing Methodology (in the High Court and Court of Appeal) and in other significant Code amendments.

  • I acted for French company Danone on all aspects of its dispute with Fonterra following the August 2013 whey protein concentrate botulism scare. This included representing Danone in NZ High Court proceedings, acting as co-counsel in a very successful international arbitration against Fonterra in Singapore, and acting for Danone in the Government Inquiry into the crisis and Fonterra’s prosecution by MPI.

  • I acted for The Salvation Army throughout my time at Bell Gully including on all aspects of its participation in the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care.

  • I acted for Talent2, the national payroll provider for all schools in New Zealand, in the Ministerial Inquiry into the Novopay project.

  • I acted for Singapore Airlines Cargo in proceedings brought by the Commerce Commission against a number of cargo airlines alleging price fixing.