Top full-service law firm Bell Gully is home to one of the largest and most respected dispute resolution teams in the country, with 12 dedicated litigation partners. The firm encompasses a full range of practice areas and sectors, at all court levels, and utilises all forms of dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation. The firm regularly features in the country’s most complex and landmark contentious matters. Its class action, insolvency, construction, regulatory and insurance specialties are noteworthy. The firm also boasts a strong Iwi and Maori practice.
The litigation team heads are Wellington-based Rachael Brown and Auckland-based David Friar. They lead a team of nearly 50 qualified dispute resolution lawyers.
In a significant matter that has attracted media attention, the firm is acting for Genesis Energy in defending novel claims concerning its alleged responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions brought by a private individual. This is the first time a private law claim has been brought in New Zealand in respect of the greenhouse gas emissions of private businesses.
In another ongoing matter that is pending at the Supreme Court, the firm is acting for several commercial accommodation providers in an application for judicial review of a decision by Auckland Council to impose a targeted rate, solely on property used for commercial accommodation, to fund 50% of the tourism promotion and major events budget of the council’s relevant economic agency, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development. The matter is significant because it directly concerns the threshold for challenging rating decisions in New Zealand, from both administrative law and statutory perspectives.
The firm is also representing Australian investment company AWN Holdings and its director Kevin Chin in defending a high-profile class action brought by Frances Fullarton on behalf of investors in the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of formerly ASX and NZX-listed Intueri Education Group. The claim has attracted significant media attention due to its commercial relevance and precedential value for future class actions.
During the research period, partners Simon Ladd departed the firm.
Core clients of the firm include ANZ Bank New Zealand, Carter Holt Harvey LVL, CDL Investments New Zealand, Frucor Suntory New Zealand and PwC.
Client feedback
“Keep you informed regularly particularly when determining strategy.” – Commercial and transactions
“Just simply a first-class firm. The lawyers on this job, Kirsty, Matt and Eloise, have been superb all the way along. They are practical and solutions-focused and very strategic. All great people and they work very well together. They keep us informed and up to date on all matters.” – Technology and telecommunications
Kirsty Dobbs
“Technically brilliant, very strategic and solutions-focused.”
Brad Ward
“He is proactive with his communications.”
