Restructuring/Insolvency
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : New Zealand
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+64 9 353 9700About
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
The MinterEllisonRuddWatts insolvency and restructuring team acts in complex or multi-jurisdictional insolvencies and offer an unmatched depth of capability and service delivery.
he multi-disciplinary team consult on corporate advisory, finance, insolvency and litigation, regularly advising lenders, trustees, receivers and liquidators, as well as companies going through restructuring and work outs.
The practice spans bankruptcy, creditor claims, cross-border insolvency, directors’ duties, distressed debt trading/acquisitions, liquidation, receivership, turnaround/workouts and voluntary administration.
The team has broad experience across numerous industries, including agribusiness, construction, energy, resources and mining, funds management and derivatives, health and ageing, industrial, infrastructure and project finance, real estate, and retail.
Holding strong and longstanding relationships with all major insolvency and restructuring accounting firms, the team sits on the panels of all major banks and financial institutions in New Zealand.
- Acted for Westpac in obtaining urgent freezing orders in the New Zealand High Court against Iugis (NZ) Limited in relation to NZD42.8 million that Westpac funded as a result of an alleged forgery scheme.
- Acting for the liquidators, BDO in proceedings brought against Mainzeal’s directors of Mainzeal and two related companies controlled by Mainzeal Group’s principal.
Chambers Review
MinterEllisonRuddWatts regularly handles high-profile restructurings and insolvencies alongside major insolvency firms in New Zealand. The firm is a trusted adviser to New Zealand's major banks such as Westpac and ANZ, handling contentious and non-contentious workout and liquidation matters. The team also acts for directors of liquidated companies in response to claims alleging breaches of their duties; for liquidators on clawback claims; application for directions from court; and asset disposals. Asset transfer disputes, distressed debt sales and corporate restructurings are some of the practice's particular areas of expertise. Its key clients include Grant Thornton, Rabobank and Westpac.
Work Highlights
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts acted for the Bank of New Zealand on a debt recovery matter involving numerous entities owned or controlled by George Kerr. The firm advised the Bank of New Zealand on its enforcement strategy against five debtors to recover over NZD60 million.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team respond in a timely manner and ensure we are fully informed of issues along the way. They are commercially aware and let us know if there is a better way."
"They are technical and to the point and provide us with advice in a timely manner, which is appreciated."
"The team respond in a timely manner and ensure we are fully informed of issues along the way. They are commercially aware and let us know if there is a better way."
"They are technical and to the point and provide us with advice in a timely manner, which is appreciated."
Notable Practitioners
Sean Gollin specialises in the litigation of complex insolvency and receivership disputes and also maintains a significant advisory practice in Auckland, covering a variety of restructuring and corporate recovery issues.
"He's very detail-focused, very good technically and very willing to help."
Michael Langdon is particularly well known for advising leading domestic and international banks across a comprehensive range of distressed debt, recovery, restructuring and security enforcement issues. He is also active in counselling receivers and liquidators on their responsibilities.
"He gives great advice on insolvency matters."
Richard Gordon is particularly noted for receivership litigation, as well as expertise concerning Personal Property Securities Act and voidable transactions. He acts for both major banks and insolvency practitioners on restructuring, enforcement and recovery options and receiverships.
"He has valuable technical insolvency and litigation expertise, gives us good, practical advice and is available when required."
Ranked Lawyers at
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
New Zealand
Members
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Clients
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
ANZ bank
ASB bank
BDO
BNZ bank
Deloitte
Grant Thornton
HSBC bank
KPMG
KordaMentha
LPF Group
McGrathNicol
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Rabobank
Treasury New Zealand
Westpac bank