‘Recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading competition law practitioners’, Bell Gully advises clients on the full range of competition law, from mergers requiring formal clearance applications to those that do not. The firm is also well-versed in supporting clients through cartel investigations and abuse of market power proceedings. Torrin Crowther leads the team, which includes Glenn Shewan, an expert in merger control and cartels, and Penny Pasley, who is noted within the team for advising on collaborative activities and restrictive trade practices. Sam Hiebendaal was made partner in January 2024. Jenny Stevens left to pursue a career at the Bar at the end of November 2023.
Competition law in New Zealand
Bell Gully
Responsables de la pratique:
Torrin Crowther
Autres avocats clés:
Glenn Shewan; Penny Pasley; Emma Harris; Sam Hiebendaal
Les références
‘Highly experienced in complex competition law matters. The team is very smart and easy to work with.’
‘Glenn Shewan and Emma Harris are both top quality and are my go-to New Zealand competition counsel. Torrin Crowther is also excellent.’
‘The Bell Gully team is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading competition law practitioners, with a distinguished track record of delivering clear, practical and pragmatic advice in relation to complex legal challenges.’
Principaux clients
Fletcher Building
One NZ
ASB Bank
Air New Zealand
Todd Corporation
Downer
Lineage Logistics New Zealand
Contact Energy
Goodman Fielder
ANZ
Clarus
inMusic Brands
Principaux dossiers
- Advising One NZ on its proposed acquisition of the shares in Dense Air New Zealand, which owns a substantial amount of radio spectrum in the 2600MHz band.
- Advising ASB Bank on the Commerce Commission’s market study into personal banking services.
- Advised Inghams Enterprises (NZ) Pty Limited (Inghams) on its acquisition of the assets of the Cobb Commercial and Riverland businesses of Bromley Park Hatcheries Limited.
Chapman Tripp
Led by Lucy Cooper, the ‘outstanding’ team at Chapman Tripp advises clients on merger clearance, abuse of market, cartel activity, and economic regulation matters. The firm offers further specialist support in Commerce Commission investigations and competition litigation. It advises clients across a range of industries, with particular experience in the telecoms sector. Within the team, Matt Sumpter is an expert in investigations, acquisitions, and market studies. Simon Peart advises on merger clearances and misuse of market power compliance, while Sophie Harker focuses on the telecoms and electricity sectors.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lucy Cooper
Autres avocats clés:
Matt Sumpter; Simon Peart; Sophie Harker; George Spittle
Les références
‘The Competition Team lead by Lucy Cooper is outstanding. They have navigated us through an extremely complex and unique merger with challenging competition law issues.’
‘They have worked tirelessly, professionally and to the highest standard.’
‘Lucy Cooper is an outstanding competition lawyer. Her knowledge is second to none but her identification of issues and persuasive solutions are what stands out.’
Principaux clients
Chorus New Zealand
Connexa Limited
Foodstuffs North Island Limited
Independent Fisheries Limited
Christchurch International Airport Limited
Wellington International Airport Limited
Bunge Limited
Firstgas Limited
Powerco Limited
Vector Limited
TAB New Zealand
Waterman Capital Limited
Principaux dossiers
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
MinterEllisonRuddWatts provides domestic and cross-border support to its clients on mergers and licensing arrangements. In addition, the firm regularly handles issues across the spectrum of competition law, including advising on M&A transactions, anti-competitive conduct investigations, and consumer protection. The team is led by Jennifer Hambleton, a specialist in merger clearances, enforcement actions, and disputes. Ross Patterson is noted within the team as an expert on telecoms matters, and April Payne advises clients on Commerce Commission investigations.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jennifer Hambleton
Autres avocats clés:
Ross Patterson; April Payne
Les références
‘This team is without peer in New Zealand when it comes to their experience, knowledge and confidence in dealing with market, including telecommunications competition matters.’
‘Each team member is supportive and responsive, and makes the effort to understand clients’ priorities and strategic objectives.’
‘Dr Ross Patterson is a stand out in his field. He instills confidence and support for our strategies, and prepares us well for meetings with key stakeholders at board and regulatory level.’
Principaux clients
Tourism Holdings Limited
L’Oreal Group
AlphaTheta Corporation
NZ Bus
viagogo
Assa Abloy Australia Pty Limited
Action Manufacturing
Westpac
Tatua
ASB
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for AlphaTheta Corporation in relation to their proposed acquisition of New Zealand-based Serato Audio Research Limited.
- Acting for ACM Holdings, a leading cash in transit service provider, in relation to its sale to Evergreen.
- Acting for viagogo AG in relation to long-standing proceedings brought by the NZ Commerce Commission.
Russell McVeagh
Russell McVeagh frequently acts on merger clearance applications before the Commerce Commission and is well-versed in advising clients on the Commission’s market studies and investigations. The firm further assists clients with structuring joint ventures and with first instance and appellate litigation. Troy Pilkington oversees the practice and is highly experienced in the grocery and media industries. Bradley Aburn is seasoned in investigations, market studies, and merger control approvals. Petra Carey brings her experience on UK and European competition matters to the team.
Responsables de la pratique:
Troy Pilkington
Autres avocats clés:
Bradley Aburn; Petra Carey
Les références
‘Very strong competition/regulatory team with real depth and expertise across all industries.’
‘Troy Pilkington has great depth and insight with very good client skill.’
‘Bradley Aburn works very hard to achieve client goals with great industry understanding.’
Principaux clients
Westpac New Zealand Limited
Woolworths New Zealand Limited
Bostock Group
Meridian Energy Limited
Sanford Limited
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited
Spark New Zealand Limited
National Australia Bank
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Woolworths New Zealand Limited on responding to the New Zealand Commerce Commission’s 2020 to 2022 market study into the retail grocery sector in New Zealand, and subsequent law reforms and ongoing regulatory activities.
- Advising Meridian Energy Limited on its proposal to build the world’s largest green hydrogen plant in Southland (Southern Green Hydrogen Project).
- Advising National Australia Bank Limited on the proposed transaction under which NAB and Jarden Wealth have agreed to combine their New Zealand wealth advice and asset management businesses into a newly formed entity, FirstCape.
Buddle Findlay
Buddle Findlay advises regulatory authorities and private organisations across a wide array of industries, including consumer goods, education, energy, health, and telecoms. The firm assists clients with applications to the Commerce Commission, whether for acquisition clearance or joint ventures. Susie Kilty, who is experienced in class actions and investigations, leads the team. Having ‘an exceptional knowledge of the tertiary education system’, Tony Dellow is well-versed in providing compliance advice to clients. Anna Parker is also noted for her work on cartel investigations.
Responsables de la pratique:
Susie Kilty
Autres avocats clés:
Tony Dellow; Anna Parker
Les références
‘Buddle Findlay continues to provide excellent legal service across the many and varied areas of law that affect both the strategic and operational activities of the tertiary education sector.’
‘The Buddle Findlay team unfailingly provides accurate, timely and practical advice.’
‘Buddle Findlay provides exceptional advice on competition law. Their advice is always well considered and informative, and focused on a practical solution to the problem in relation to which the advice is being sought.’
Principaux clients
Payments New Zealand
Ngāi Tahu Tourism Limited
Infant Nutrition Council
Toyota New Zealand
Strand
The Farmers Trading Company
Infratil Limited
Contact Energy
CRV Limited
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Ministry of Health
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora
Tertiary Education Commission
Zespri International
Zoetis New Zealand
Canterbury Industrial Scrubbing Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the Infant Nutrition Council on its successful application for Commerce Commission authorisation for its members to restrict their advertising and marketing of formula products.
- Advising Payments NZ on its application for Commerce Commission authorisation to work with API providers and third parties to develop arrangements to facilitate a more well-utilised, secure, and innovative open banking framework in New Zealand.
- Advised Ngāi Tahu Tourism, one of the largest tourism operators in New Zealand, on its application for clearance from the Commerce Commission for its proposed acquisition of the tourism jet boating business trading as “Kjet” and related assets.
DLA Piper New Zealand
DLA Piper New Zealand draws on expertise from multiple jurisdictions to assist clients with competition matters raising cross-border issues. The firm advises on market studies and investigations brought by the Commerce Commission and merger clearances, as well as general competition issues. Leading the team, Mark Williamson is expert in the FMCG sector, including related market study assistance. Joining in July 2023 from Chapman Tripp, Daniel Street assists clients in investigations and civil penalty proceedings. Alicia Murray left the firm in January 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mark Williamson
Autres avocats clés:
Daniel Street
Les références
‘Deep knowledge of the business, feel like an extension of our team, ability to see beyond technical requirements of the law.’
‘Mark Williamson has deep knowledge, a broad range of expertise and very responsive.’
‘The team are experts in competition law issues facing co-operatives.’
Principaux clients
Foodstuffs North Island Limited
PB Technologies
Warner Bros. Discovery
Ixom
Auckland Council
Nelson City Council
Kingspan
Rheem
Mitre 10
Contact Energy
Principaux dossiers
- Advising on the proposed merger of Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island.
- Advising Foodstuffs North Island on the introduction and implementation of the Grocery Code.
- Advised Kingspan Group plc on its successful clearance application and acquisition of the business and assets of Conqueror New Zealand.
Matthews Law
A specialist firm in competition law, Matthews Law’s team ‘are the go-to experts in their field’, advising on multi-jurisdictional merger control and cartel activity matters. The firm is well-versed in supporting clients in the grocery and electricity sectors. With experience working in the UK, practice head Andrew Matthews has expertise in investigations, merger clearances, and regulatory matters. Fellow practice head Alicia Murray, who joined in January 2024 from DLA Piper New Zealand, specialises in cartel enforcement.
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Matthews; Alicia Murray
Les références
‘The Matthews Law team are the go-to experts in their field.’
‘Matthews Law is a specialist competition and regulatory firm that consistently punches above its weight.’
‘Clients get the benefit of direct access to highly experienced partners without some of the ‘red tap’ that can come with dealing with a traditional big firm.’
Principaux clients
Evergreen
Armourguard Security
New Zealand Food and Grocery Council
Two Degrees
Sony
Seeka
Fulton Hogan
Briscoe Group
Green Cross Health
NGB
Lyttleton Port Company
Teva Pharma
IATA
Auckland Orthopaedics Limited
Real Estate Institute of New Zealand
Realestate.co.nz
Medical Technology Association of New Zealand
Avient Switzerland GmbH
Moana New Zealand
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Evergreen Holdings on its clearance application to acquire 100% of the shares in ACM New Zealand Ltd.
- Advised Moana New Zealand on its proposed acquisition of fishing quota and related fishery assets from Sanford.
- Advising NZFGC on the merger clearance application made by Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island, and ongoing competition matters under the Grocery Industry Competition Act 2023.
Simpson Grierson
The team at Simpson Grierson supports clients in both contentious and non-contentious contexts, such as investigations, litigation, M&A antitrust analysis, and market study support. The firm’s industry expertise includes banking, energy, health, TMT, construction, and retail. The practice is spearheaded by James Craig, an expert in restrictive trade practices, and Nina Blomfield, who aids clients with domestic and international transaction clearance applications. Henry King adds further insight into M&A matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
James Craig; Nina Blomfield
Autres avocats clés:
Elsie Stone; Henry King
Les références
‘They are our go-to, preferred external advisors on both strategic and BAU legal matters.’
‘James Craig is an industry stalwart who has seen it all. He has an excellent relationship with the regulator and is unflappable. James has an excellent communication style and we feel comfortable “sending him out to bat” for us.’
‘Henry King is a safe pair of hands with good strategic insights.’
Principaux clients
Livestock Improvement Corporation
OMV New Zealand limited
The a2 Milk Corporation
Matariki Forests Limited
BP Oil New Zealand Limited
ISO
Macquarie Asset Management
Voyage Digital
Two Degrees Mobile Limited
Bayer
Graymont
Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for Macquarie Asset Management and Two Degrees Network Limited in relation to the successful clearance application by Connexa Limited to acquire all of Two Degrees Network Limited’s passive mobile infrastructure assets.
Webb Henderson
With ‘an excellent partner offering’, Webb Henderson provides specialist expertise on competition law within the TMT sector. The firm is well-versed in corporate M&A matters as well as Commerce Commission investigations. Sarah Keene heads the team in Auckland and focuses on contentious competition matter assistance. Jordon Cox specialises in cartel conduct and misuse of market power advice.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sarah Keene
Autres avocats clés:
Jordan Cox
Les références
‘It’s small size enables the teams to move swiftly to meet client needs.’
‘Webb Henderson has an excellent partner offering.’
‘Sarah Keene is an acknowledged expert in the New Zealand market in her field. She has a loyal client base and gets results.’
Principaux clients
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
Southern Cross Healthcare Limited
Spark New Zealand Limited
Allegro Funds Pty Limited
Schneider Electric
Genesis Energy
Tegel Limited
The Warehouse Group
Giltrap Group
Qantas Airways Limited
Envirowaste Services Limited
Turners & Growers
Gull NZ
Qube Logistics (NZ) Limited
Alderson Logistics Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Australian private equity firm, Pacific Equity Partners, on its involvement in the merging of Jarden and NAB’s wealth management businesses to create First Cape.
- Advised New Zealand’s largest electricity lines business, Vector, on the competition law aspects of its disposal of its natural gas trading business to a major vertically integrated competitor, Todd Energy.
- Assisting The Warehouse Group, the national retailer attempting to disrupt New Zealand’s incumbent retail grocery supply duopoly, with engaging with the NZCC after an Australasian breakfast food manufacturer abruptly discontinued supply of a New Zealand staple grocery item, dubbed “Weet Bix-gate” by the media.
Wilson Harle
Wilson Harle is a specialist litigation firm seasoned in disputes surrounding competition law, including cartel, fair trading, and consumer law. The firm advises clients on investigations, clearance applications and proceedings for clients in the products, construction, energy, IT, and media industries. The team is led by Ian Denton, who is experienced in misuse of market power proceedings. Felicity Monteiro is also noted within the team, advising on fair trading and consumer protection matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ian Denton
Autres avocats clés:
Felicity Monteiro
Principaux clients
Wilson Parking New Zealand
Winton Land Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for Winton Land Ltd, a listed property developer, in proceedings under s36 of the Commerce Act against Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, a Crown Entity.