Competition/Antitrust | Asia-Pacific

Bell Gully maintains a market-leading competition practice which expertly combines transactional and litigation lawyers. The firm acts for an impressive array of blue-chip clients, advising both on major, often multi-jurisdictional mergers and other transactions and on sensitive cartel, misuse of market power and leniency-related issues. Additionally, the practice advises on broader regulatory issues, including market studies undertaken by the Commerce Commission. The team is well placed to work in tandem with the firm's corporate lawyers to provide holistic coverage of transactional mandates and is no less experienced in teaming up with peers from international firms in support of both transactional and contentious matters.

Russell McVeagh's acclaimed multidisciplinary practice is recognised for its assistance to clients in disputes with the Commerce Commission and for its advice to multinationals on their cross-jurisdictional interactions with regulatory bodies. The firm also offers expertise in both litigation and merger clearance applications in respect of complex M&A transactions, benefiting in both areas from its maintenance of constructive relationships with the regulators. Admired for its impressive client base and consequent familiarity with the widest range of potential issues, it possesses notable experience in the representation of clients from the technological, financial services, transportation, retail and health spheres, as well as expertise with competition issues in relation to disruptive business models.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts's multidisciplinary team is well regarded for advising on complex and high-profile competition matters, including merger clearance applications and oppositions, as well as on behavioural enforcement matters. The firm is particularly noted for its in-depth knowledge of the regulatory environments in the telecommunications, media, energy and transportation sectors, based in part on in-house experience with the relevant authorities. The practice is also well placed to advise on trans-Tasman and broader regional mandates, thanks to its membership of the firm's extensive Australian and Asian network.

Simpson Grierson advises on the full range of antitrust and regulatory issues, including M&A and joint venture clearances for blue-chip clients, the preparation of submissions to sector-specific bodies and assistance with compliance programmes. The firm also offers specialist competition litigators ready to advise on both investigations and court proceedings, as well as expertise across a broad range of sectors including construction, energy, telecommunications and media. The practice regularly partners with leading Australian and other overseas firms in support of cross-border mandates.

The DLA Piper New Zealand team forms an arm of a global competition practice with ready access to experience and insight acquired in other jurisdictions. The firm provides a full merger clearance, regulatory advisory and litigation support service to, among others, prominent players in the consumer goods, electronics and logistics spheres, as well as public sector bodies. The team is also experienced in the handling of cartel-related issues.