Well-regarded for its ‘wide range of knowledge’ and ability to ’provide a solution to complex problems’, the team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts regularly acts on critical and high-profile commercial litigation for large corporates and financial institutions. The practice offers expertise across the full spectrum of commercial litigation matters, including banking, environmental, insolvency, technology, and insurance-related disputes. In Wellington, Richard Gordon, who is a key port of call to New Zealand’s main trading banks, jointly leads the practice alongside Auckland-based Gillian Service, who specialises in people risk management for businesses. The ‘very acute and intelligent’ Jane Standage is regularly instructed on some of New Zealand’s most complex litigation and is lauded by clients for her ’excellent judgement’. Andrew Horne is noted for his expertise in commercial disputes, corporate and regulatory issues, and technology-related disputes, while the ‘outstanding’ Stacey Shortall is frequently instructed to conduct internal reviews and self-assessments for clients and their boards. Nick Frith is another key contact, recommended for his focus on insurance disputes across all areas of the industry. Senior associate Olivia De Pont is also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The firm has a wide range of knowledge and skills to handle all aspects and can always provide a solution to complex problems.'
'They are real professionals with great judgement. They take the good points, leave the bad ones, and are excellent to deal with.'
'They fight hard for their clients but are cooperative towards getting disputes heard and pragmatic in a search for a commercial resolution. Very impressive all round.’
‘Jane Standage is very acute and intelligent, firm when needed, but always respectful and good to deal with. She has excellent judgement and knows the good points in a case instinctively. I think she will become one of the best commercial litigation solicitors in Auckland and very soon.’
‘We use the Minters team for specialist HSE legal advice. We think they are best in class.’
‘Stacey Shortall is outstanding and, in our experience, the best HSE lawyer we have dealt with.’
'They identify the people who are best able to provide a solution.'
'Nick Frith continues to grow in stature within the market.'

Key clients

Bathurst Resources Limited
viagogo AG
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Manawa Energy Ltd
Westpac Bank New Zealand
Rabobank New Zealand
Bank of New Zealand
Beach Energy Resources NZ (Kupe) Limited
Channel Infrastructure NZ Limited
Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

Work highlights

Acting for Bathurst Resources Limited successfully in the leading contract interpretation case heard by the New Zealand Supreme Court in relation to a USD40m claim.
Acting for viagogo in High Court proceedings brought by the Commerce Commission, the first time the NZCC has issued proceedings against a wholly overseas-based online business and is part of a wider suite of litigation against viagogo internationally.
Acted for Beach Energy against Genesis Energy Ltd. successfully on a high-profile NZD150m arbitration.

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