Department profile
Russell McVeagh

Restructuring/Insolvency

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : New Zealand

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Russell McVeagh

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About

Provided by Russell McVeagh

Russell McVeagh's Insolvency and Restructuring group is a multi-disciplinary practice handling the full range of issues arising from insolvency and restructuring, including: formal domestic and cross-border insolvency processes, enforcement of secured and unsecured creditor rights, corporate and debt restructuring and work-outs, secondary debt trading and investment, recovery actions and claims against directors and related entities, schemes of arrangement, fraud and derivative actions, PPSA and security disputes, defence of finance-related regulatory disputes. 

Our team has continued to cement its position at the forefront of the legal market, obtaining many of the most high-profile instructions. We are recognised by Global Restructuring Review (GRR) as being able to handle cross-border restructurings and insolvencies, as well as related matters such as banking and sovereign debt crises.

Clients (10)

  • McGrathNicol, New Zealand
  • ANZ Bank, New Zealand
  • Westpac Banking Corporation Limited, New Zealand
  • ASB Bank Limited, New Zealand
  • Bank of New Zealand, New Zealand
  • BDO, New Zealand
  • Trustpower Limited, New Zealand
  • Credit Suisse, New Zealand
  • Hancock Forest Management Limited, New Zealand
  • Calibre Partners

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Restructuring/Insolvency - New Zealand

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Russell McVeagh's multidisciplinary practice excels at a range of insolvency and restructuring issues, from creditor rights enforcement to finance-related regulatory disputes. The firm is noted for the quality and diversity of resources it can apply to litigation proceedings, including on cross-border insolvency. The team regularly acts on mandates for international businesses with New Zealand operations and on referral from global law firms handling the collapse of multinationals. The team boasts further expertise in fraud and derivative actions, as well as finance-related regulatory, personal property law and security disputes.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Russell McVeagh advised China Construction Bank (New Zealand) as secured creditor to Du Val Build to Rent and related companies. The firm is also acting for Calibre as China Construction Bank (New Zealand)’s appointed receivers.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Russell McVeagh is a highly impressive team. It has astute commercial operators who are able to think outside the box to provide solutions that work for all parties.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific

  • The team at Russell McVeagh has market-leading technical skills, is highly commercial and has impeccable communication.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Matthew Kersey
    Matthew Kersey

    Matthew Kersey

    Matthew Kersey is based in Auckland where he heads the Russell McVeagh restructuring and insolvency practice. He predominantly acts for secured creditors and insolvency professionals and is particularly noted for his cross-border experience in general and trans-Tasman experience in particular.

    • Matthew Kersey is one of the leading insolvency lawyers in New Zealand.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Matthew is a highly skilled and intelligent litigator with extensive experience dealing with complex matters both locally and internationally.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Alex MacDuff
    Alex MacDuff

    Alex MacDuff

    Alex MacDuff is based in Auckland, where he advises global and domestic clients on a range of matters, including insolvency litigation and recapitalisation solutions.

    • Alex is a superstar up-and-comer in insolvency, and insolvency litigation.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Alex is highly responsive and brings astute commercial nous to any issues. He thinks through complex problems and provides solutions that work for all parties.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
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Ranked Individuals at Russell McVeagh (2)

New Zealand

Members

Provided by Russell McVeagh

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