Dispute Resolution
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : New Zealand
Band 2
About
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Our Dispute Resolution practice is at the forefront of the legal market and is sought out by local and international companies and banks to act on their largest and most strategically important disputes in New Zealand, including large cross-border matters and disputes for a variety of NZX listed corporates. Our commercial litigators act for a wide client base, across a range of industries, and our broad experience allows us to anticipate legal developments in the New Zealand market.
We recognise that our courtroom experience is often of most benefit to our clients in providing strategic advice and risk analysis to identify and maximise commercial opportunities.
Our specialist areas of expertise include:
- "Bet the business" litigation and crisis management.
- Class actions.
- Construction and projects disputes.
- Insolvency and Restructuring litigation.
- High profile investigations.
- Financial regulatory enforcement, conduct and culture.
- Securities and capital markets.
- Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions disputes.
- Schemes of arrangement.
- Product liability.
- Consumer and marketing law.
- Intellectual property and data protection.
- Insurance disputes.
- Real estate and leasing litigation.
- COVID-19 impacts.
Chambers Review
Russell McVeagh's deep resources include specialists across all major industries to act on litigation and alternative dispute resolution mandates. The firm boasts a well-staffed bench across the Auckland and Wellington offices, supplemented where appropriate by expertise from other practice groups, servicing a broad base of private and public sector clients. Its disputes team has a noted track record of defending representative actions and appearing in large-scale insolvency and construction-related litigation. The team is also prominent in advising financial institutions on regulatory investigations.
Work Highlights
- Russell McVeagh acted for ASB Bank in a class action under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The firm provides very timely and commercial advice."
"The lawyers understand our business deeply and are proactive with negotiation strategy; and they always put forward commercial and pragmatic solutions."
"The firm provides very timely and commercial advice."
"The lawyers understand our business deeply and are proactive with negotiation strategy; and they always put forward commercial and pragmatic solutions."
Notable Practitioners
Kirsten Massey isthe National Practice Group Chair for Russell McVeagh's Litigation team based in Auckland. She specialises in commercial dispute resolution including class actions, particularly on CCCFA, Commerce Act and Companies Actmatters, often appearing before High Court and Commerce Commission.
"She is commercial, pragmatic and helpful. Kirsten is a great person to bounce things off."
"Kirsten is one of the most experienced banking and finance matter experts, knowledgeable and skilled at dealing with large complex litigations."
Marika Eastwick-Field offers experience across the commercial spectrum, including the handling of major transactional disputes, financial services matters and insurance-related issues. She is based in Auckland.
"Marika is phenomenal with budget management. She is really excellent and stand out across New Zealand and Australia."
"Marika is a clear thinker and sensible, smart and articulate. Client likes her."
Ranked Lawyers at
Russell McVeagh
New Zealand
Members
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Chris Curran
Emmeline Rushbrook
Jeremy Upson
Joe Edwards
Kirsten Massey
Head of Department
Malcolm Crotty
Matt Kersey
Michael Taylor
Nathaniel Walker
Will Irving
Clients
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Accident Compensation Corporation
Auckland International Airport
Bath Street Capital
Calibre Partners
Credit Suisse
Earthquake Commission
Fonterra Co-operative Group
Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation
KPMG
Kiwibank
Lendlease
TSB Bank
Various retail banks
Winton Property
Woolworths