About
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ dispute resolution team has an outstanding track record for resolving the most challenging disputes, providing clients with practical advice on the law and litigation strategies that enhance its clients prospects of success.
The team has acted on some of the largest cases in New Zealand, and includes some of the country’s brightest and most capable litigators.
The team guides clients through mediation and arbitration (if this is the right option) and is also at home at all levels of the court system including the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and the Privy Council.
- Successfully represented Taharoa Ironsands in a high-stakes contractual dispute concerning obligations arising in respect of an attempted share sale of a company
- Successfully represented the liquidators of the Mainzeal group of companies in the High Court against its directors for breach of directors’ duties, reckless trading, knowing receipt and transactions for inadequate consideration
- Acting for viagogo AG on legal proceedings taken by the New Zealand Commerce Commission for alleged breaches of the Fair Trading Act
- Represented Bathurst Resources Ltd to defend claims for a performance payment made by L&M Coal Holdings Ltd, after Bathurst had acquired Buller Coal Limited
- Acting for Refining NZ and BT Mining in the first ever climate change High Court proceeding brought against private defendants in New Zealand
Chambers Review
MinterEllisonRuddWatts's well-resourced group is known for the depth and diversity of its practice, and it maintains an impressive client base embracing high-profile domestic and multinational corporations, leading financial services providers, public sector bodies and prominent individuals. The firm offers significant expertise across a range of commercial litigation matters, including construction, environmental, insolvency and insurance-related disputes, and is well equipped to advise on cross-border mandates both within and beyond the Asia-Pacific region. The group is frequently instructed in connection with regulatory investigations and related court proceedings and on High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court litigation. Its key clients include Bathurst Resources, Synlait Milk and Trustpower.
Work Highlights
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts represented Bathurst Resources and Buller Coal before the Supreme Court in a USD40 million contract dispute concerning a share sale and purchase agreement under which Bathurst Resources acquired coking coal mining and exploration permits on the West Coast of the South Island.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team worked well together and coped well with the changing dynamics that presented themselves. A good team which appreciates the client's needs."
"The firm demonstrates strong collaboration across practice disciplines, which means they have the right subject matter experts weighing in to provide thoughtful and considered advice on complex issues. They are client-focused and highly responsive."
"The team worked well together and coped well with the changing dynamics that presented themselves. A good team which appreciates the client's needs."
"The firm demonstrates strong collaboration across practice disciplines, which means they have the right subject matter experts weighing in to provide thoughtful and considered advice on complex issues. They are client-focused and highly responsive."
Notable Practitioners
Stacey Shortall is based in Wellington, and in addition to being active across a broad contentious spectrum covering environmental, insurance and white-collar criminal issues, she is particularly well known for her handling of health and safety-related litigation.
"Stacey just makes things easy. Nothing is too much trouble, and she gives extremely commercial and pragmatic advice. She approaches things from a client's point of view rather than a lawyer's."
Andrew Horne is based in Auckland and offers over 25 years of experience in the disputes space, where he focuses closely on matters arising from the financial services, technology and telecommunications sectors.
Jane Standage is based in Auckland and offers extensive experience of large-scale domestic and international disputes. Her impressive commercial range covers such areas as class actions, financial services and insurance matters, and questions of alleged professional negligence. Market sources identify her as a clearly talented lawyer with an increasingly high profile.
"Jane is a highly experienced litigator who demonstrates great strategic oversight and pragmatism in her handling of cases."
Ranked Lawyers at
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
New Zealand
Members
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Head of Department
Briony Davies
Jane Standage
Head of Department
Nick Frith
Oliver Skilton
Richard Gordon
Clients
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Aon
Mainzeal
Refining New Zealand
Spark
Synlait
Taharoa
Z Energy