Using our skills and resources, we can help you solve even the most complex and controversial public law and regulatory issues.  Being public law specialists means that we know what we are talking about, can achieve the best result for you, and deliver real value for money.

If you are in the public sector, we can help you to develop and implement regulatory solutions that really work.  We do this by working closely with you to ensure that your process is legally robust and achieves your goals effectively.

If you are in the private sector, we will apply the same skills when you need to interact with government or face regulation.  As part of a successful commercial law firm, our public law team understand the commercial drivers of your business and how to help you represent your commercial interests to decision-makers.

Our clients include those in key government departments, Crown entities, regulators, infrastructure providers and primary industry organisations.  We advise many sectors including electricity, gas, broadcasting, telecommunications and primary industries.

Our work includes

  • Advising public sector clients on regulatory frameworks and their statutory and administrative law obligations, including on decision-making and consultation processes and judicial review risk
  • Advising regulators, the regulated and those who may be regulated on economic, infrastructure and pricing regulation, regulatory risks and litigation
  • Advising government departments that are developing policy proposals that will lead to legislation, drafting public and private legislation and other regulatory instruments, and advising on the law making process
  • Assisting private sector clients develop their government relations strategy, including lobbying and interacting with government.  This includes drafting select committee submissions, making representations to Ministers and government departments and public relations strategies 
  • Advising public and private sector clients on privacy and information law, including the Privacy Act and Official Information Act, on obtaining or protecting information and information handling policies and practices   

  • Advising clients on procurement processes, including designing procurement strategies, tendering processes and the awarding of contracts, in light of the legal requirements and standards of good procurement practice that apply to public entities.

Recent work

  • Acting as primary legal adviser to the Electricity Authority (and its predecessor, the Electricity Commission).  Recent work includes drafting the Electricity Industry Participation Code and assisting the Electricity Authority with each of the matters it was required to address under section 42 of the Electricity Industry Act, including scarcity pricing, financial transmission rights and standardisation
  • Advising various airports on pricing consultation issues, including assisting in litigation over charges bought by Air New Zealand
  • Advising Zespri International on regulatory issues relating to Zespri's single desk export role and non-discrimination rule for the purchase of kiwifruit
  • Advising General Electric on public law and regulatory issues 
  • Advising the Climate Change Office on Negotiated Greenhouse Agreements with major greenhouse gas emitters
  • Advising SKY Television on public law and regulatory issues
  • Advising the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Ministry of Economic Development on the legislation regulating dairy markets in light of proposed changes to Fonterra’s capital structure
  • Advising the Treasury and Ministry for the Environment on developing model agreements for issue of units for projects which reduce greenhouse gas emissions

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