Competition/Antitrust - New Zealand
What the Team is Known For
Chapman Tripp handles an array of key issues across the competition sector, including merger approvals, abuse of market power issues and compliance audits. The practice is in addition active across a comparably diverse range of sectors, including energy, financial services, infrastructure and telecommunications, and sought after for its wealth of experience advising large New Zealand corporates, government institutions and multinationals on both domestic and international mandates. The firm is also noted for its handling of business-critical investigatory and litigation assignments, including cartel-related issues and criminal competition and consumer law cases.
Strengths
"They are highly engaged, top of their field and work collaboratively with the client and other advisers."
"Chapman Tripp are responsive and accommodating when it comes to working across time zones."
Work Highlights
Chapman Tripp advised Connexa on the NZD1 billion acquisition of passive mobile telecommunications tower assets from 2degrees.
Notable Practitioners
Lucy Cooper is based in Wellington, and her versatile practice sees her advising clients across a comprehensive range of issues from merger clearances to cartel investigations. "In our view, Lucy is the best competition partner in the New Zealand market." "Lucy Cooper is an elite operator in the New Zealand competition law market."
Matt Sumpter is a published authority on competition law who acts principally on contentious issues in the space, including potentially criminal matters, though he is also an experienced handler of merger control negotiations with the Commerce Commission. He is based in Auckland. "Matt is an extremely knowledgeable and commercially savvy individual who I would highly recommend. I trust his legal opinion and enjoy working with him."
Simon Peart is based in Wellington and focuses on regulatory issues in the competition sphere. He is particularly familiar with the way in which those issues impact on players in the infrastructure and utilities sectors. "Simon is extremely smart and very knowledgeable about utility regulation. He knows how to engage effectively with the regulator." "Simon provides efficient, high-quality advice accurately pitched at the intended audience. He is very easy to work with and follows highly technical information quickly."
