Written by John on 25 July 2013.
♦ Recent Deals ♦ Australia, New Zealand, Sydney
Baker & McKenzie has advised New Zealand's Z Energy Limited on non-New Zealand aspects of its proposed NZ$900 million initial public offering, including its proposed international offerings. Z Energy owns service stations across New Zealand. It is currently owned by Infratil Limited and the NZ Superannuation Fund. The Baker & McKenzie team was led by partner Ben McLaughlin, with assistance from partner Guy Sanderson, and associates Candice Heggelund, Alex Gounis and Melissa Sutton. New Zealand law firm Chapman Tripp also advised Z Energy.
Written by John on 02 November 2012.
♦ Recent Deals ♦ New Zealand
The new $330 million syndicated debt facility provided by Westpac Banking Corporation, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and National Australia Bank Limited consists of a $247.5 million 3 year tranche and an $82.5 million 4 year tranche which replaces the iiNet’s previous club facility. The King & Wood Mallesons team was led by Partner Nicholas Creed who was supported by Senior Associates Cameron Roper and Edmund Chan and Solicitors Crystal Chan and Andrew Lane. Nicholas commented, “We were delighted to continue our excellent relationship with the syndicate banks and iiNet on this deal, and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Written by John on 08 May 2012.
♦ Recent Deals ♦ Australia, New Zealand, Sydney
Maddocks law firm has advised one of the world’s best known motor vehicle brands, Chrysler, on the new distribution arrangements for Alfa Romeo and Fiat brand vehicles, parts and accessories in Australia and New Zealand. Under the new agreement the current Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealer group, which numbers 17 passenger dealerships with 22 commercial vehicle outlets across the country, will report into the Melbourne-based Chrysler Australia group. The transaction, which was finalised on 1 May, included due diligence, and all aspects of negotiation and settlement of numerous agreements including termination, settlement, sale, dealer and support and services agreements. The Maddocks team, led by Peter Shaw and Jeff Goss, worked closely with Regional General Counsel, Jun Cho and Australian General Counsel, Peter Lidstrom to manage the complexities of the transaction. According to Peter Shaw who leads the Maddocks Commercial team in Sydney, “Our team is known for its ability to work in partnership with both our clients and their other advisers, which enables us to manage complex transactions within tight timeframes. I believe our ability to work seamlessly with KPMG, Chrysler’s tax and accounting advisers on this transaction, contributed significantly to meeting our deadlines.” Maddocks lawyers have provided a wide range of legal advice to clients operating in the automotive industry including on commercial, tax, property, employment and superannuation issues. This new distribution arrangement supersedes the agreement between Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A (FGA) and Ateco Automotive Pty Limited (Ateco). Ateco has distributed Alfa Romeo within Australia since 1997 and Fiat since 2001.
Written by John on 11 April 2012.
♦ Recent Deals ♦ Australia, Brisbane, New Zealand
DLA Piper in Australia and DLA Phillips Fox New Zealand have acted in the first public private partnership to reach financial close in New Zealand. The Hobsonville Point Schools PPP is a landmark project involving the design, construction and financing of a primary and secondary school, together with their maintenance for a period of 25 years. The trans-Tasman DLA team acted for Hawkins Construction Limited, one of New Zealand's largest privately owned construction and infrastructure companies. Hawkins will be responsible for design and construction of the new schools. It will be the first time that schools in New Zealand will be built under a public private partnership. The primary school is scheduled to open at the beginning of 2013 and the secondary school early 2014. The project team was led by DLA Piper in Australia Finance & Projects partner Alex Guy, with support from Brisbane-based senior associate Kim Broadbent, DLA Phillips Fox New Zealand partner Brian Bray and senior associate Paula Nicolaou. Alex Guy said: "We are proud to have acted for Hawkins in New Zealand's first public private partnership to reach financial close. The award process was efficiently handled by Government, taking only eleven months from commencement of procurement. There are a number of other PPP deals potentially in the pipeline for New Zealand, including a hospital in Christchurch, and the timely financial close of this deal sends a positive message to the market."
Written by John on 02 February 2012.
♦ Moves News ♦ New Zealand, Wellington
Minter Ellison Rudd Watts welcomes Quentin Lowcay and Richard Gordon to the partnership, and has promoted construction and property expert Janine Stewart to the rank of Partner. Quentin Lowcay has over 16 years’ experience in IT, technology, strategic outsourcing and procurement. He is a leading expert in assisting organisations to deliver greater long-term commercial benefits through better management of purchasing decisions, supplier relationships, and overall spending. Quentin was previously a partner with Kensington Swan for four years, including as Managing Partner of their office in Abu Dhabi UAE. He has also worked for Mallesons Stephen Jaques in Sydney and Allen & Overy in London. Richard Gordon is a civil and commercial litigator, with particular expertise in banking and securities law, and insolvency. With 15 years’ litigation experience, he is a trusted advisor to trading banks on various contested enforcement matters, and to key insolvency practitioners on disputes arising out of receivership and liquidation appointments. Richard also has considerable experience acting on general civil and commercial litigation cases, including for breach of contract, professional negligence and Fair Trading Act actions. Richard joins the firm from Buddle Findlay in Wellington. Both Quentin and Richard are based in the firm’s Wellington office. Janine Stewart is a specialist in complex construction and commercial projects and disputes, including defective and leaky buildings. She also advises clients in the energy and resources and the infrastructure industries. Janine returned to New Zealand in 2008 to join the firm after time spent with Walkers Global in the Cayman Islands. Janine is part of the firm’s growing Auckland construction team, working alongside partners Stephen Price and Mark Crosbie. In announcing the appointments managing partner Mark Weenink said: “Our firm’s focus has been to add to the depth of our existing practices, especially in the areas that we have targeted as opportunities for growth. We are delighted the reputation of the firm continues to attract and retain such impressive lawyers for the benefit of our clients.”