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The latest news
Chapman Tripp advises on 2024’s milestone equity capital raisings
Chapman Tripp has been heavily involved in the recent return of activity in New Zealand’s equity capital markets. The firm has assisted in raising $3.6 billion across four large equity capital raisings, including New Zealand’s largest ever secondary capital raising and the first accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer since the NZX Listing Rules were amended to permit such raisings.
Refresh of company law a useful piece of work
The package announced today to blow the cobwebs off the Companies Act and bring it into the digital age, together with the impending Law Commission review of directors’ duties, should help to galvanise the corporate sector, says Chapman Tripp.
Chapman Tripp assists Vector on conditional sale agreement of LPG assets
Chapman Tripp was pleased to assist Vector in entering into a conditional agreement to sell Vector OnGas, its liquified petroleum gas business, together with its 60.25% shareholding in Liquigas Limited.
Chapman Tripp advises Arvida Group on scheme of arrangement with Stonepeak for NZ$2b EV
Chapman Tripp is pleased to announce that it has assisted Arvida Group Limited (Arvida) on the conditional sale of all outstanding shares to Stonepeak Alps BidCo Limited, an affiliate of leading US based alternative investment firm Stonepeak which specialises in infrastructure and real estate assets. The market capitalisation implied by the transaction is $1.243m, and with debt assumed (and with core debt to be refinanced) derives a deal enterprise value of ~$2b.
Two recognised as most influential lawyers
We are delighted that Philip Ascroft and Luke Ford have been recognised in NZ Lawyer’s Most Influential Lawyers 2024 report.
Chapman Tripp advises SolarZero on groundbreaking financing model
Chapman Tripp is proud to have advised SolarZero, New Zealand’s largest provider of solar and battery systems, on its new financing model under the New Zealand Green Investment Finance Limited (NZGIF) Solar Finance Programme, providing $195 million of debt facilities under a scalable ‘split-series’ structure.
Challenging conditions in banking sector create growth opportunities for ‘shadow’ banks
The mesh of challenges confronting the major banks in New Zealand – including the impending final report from the Commerce Commission’s market study and the upcoming select committee inquiry into banking competition – will continue to create growth opportunities through 2024 for the shadow banking sector. That is the finding of Chapman Tripp’s latest report, The banking industry: A look ahead.
Chapman Tripp advises Infratil on $1.15 billion equity raising
Chapman Tripp is pleased to have advised Infratil on its $1.15 billion equity raising to help fund growth across its global portfolio.
Chapman Tripp advises on the construction of new parliament buildings
Chapman Tripp is pleased to have advised Parliamentary Service on the contracts for construction of two new parliamentary buildings. The project will see the construction of two new buildings behind the Beehive, expecting to be completed in 2026.
Chapman Tripp launches external document and trial support service, Digital Litigation Solutions
Following regular requests for document and trial support from external firms, we have launched Digital Litigation Solutions, a team of litigation technology specialists that work for barristers and legal firms, as well as Chapman Tripp clients. Digital Litigation Solutions specialises in managing electronic and hard copy information of any volume or format, utilising leading eDiscovery, AI software and data room solutions to meet clients’ requirements. The team alone has access to client data, ensuring confidential and secure data storage and working areas.
Chapman Tripp promotes ten to Senior Associate
Chapman Tripp has announced the promotion of Michael Cardy, Julia Carrington, Laura Green, Tanzam Hossain, Sarah Kettani, Hossein Mehrabi, Rachel Robilliard, Sam Steven, Conor Tinker and Lucia Tolich to Senior Associate, with effect 1 June 2024.
Chapman Tripp only New Zealand Law Firm ranked in Global Arbitration Review’s GAR 100
Chapman Tripp is the only New Zealand Law Firm to be ranked in the guide, recognising the firm’s dedicated international arbitration practice, led by partner Nicola Swan. The firm has long been acknowledged internationally as having one of New Zealand’s most distinguished litigation and dispute resolution practices.
Protecting New Zealand’s competitive advantage: new report reveals scale and pace of changes facing our exporters in global ESG reporting and sustainability trade measures
A new report has revealed the pressure on New Zealand exporters to keep up with international expectations on sustainability, with more than 80% of New Zealand’s exports by value now going to countries with mandatory climate-related disclosures either in force or proposed.
Chapman Tripp advises Resolution Life on acquisition of Asteron Life for NZ$410m
Leading global life insurance group, Resolution Life, has entered into an agreement, through its trans-Tasman holding company, with Suncorp Group to acquire its New Zealand life insurance company, Asteron Life New Zealand.
Chapman Tripp named Firm of the Year at IFLR Asia Pacific Awards
Chapman Tripp has won two awards at the IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards, which celebrate the achievements of the financial law community.
Legal opinion finds regulatory settings discouraging some investment options for KiwiSavers
KiwiSaver investors should have the option to benefit from an asset class that can deliver long-term value.
Three Senior Associates recognised by NZ Lawyer as Rising Stars
We are delighted that Kishan Gunatunga, Rachael Jones and Rosa McPhee have been recognised as Rising Stars by NZ Lawyer.
Philip Ascroft appointed to NZ Shareholders’ Association board
Chapman Tripp Senior Associate, Philip Ascroft has been appointed as an Associate Director to the board of the NZ Shareholders’ Association (NZSA).
Chapman Tripp named KangaNews NZ Law Firm of the Year for eighth consecutive year
We are thrilled to have been recognised as the New Zealand Law Firm of the Year at the 2023 KangaNews Awards; our eighth consecutive win. Our finance team were also advisers for two of the other award winners.
Celebrating twelve new Senior Solicitors
Chapman Tripp is delighted to announce the appointment of 12 new Senior Solicitors, effective 1 December, 2023.
Chapman Tripp advises on multiple winning deals at 2023 New Zealand Law Awards
Chapman Tripp is proud to have advised on four of the winning deals at this years’ New Zealand Law Awards: M&A Deal of the Year, Equity Market Deal of the Year, Mid-Market Deal of the Year and Project Finance Deal of the Year. Demonstrating the breadth of Chapman Tripp’s transactional practices, the firm also advised on ten deals that were recognised with excellence awards.
Chapman Tripp advises Eastland Group on sale of 50% stake in Eastland Generation
Eastland Group has sold a 50% stake in its electricity generation business to Japanese construction conglomerate Obayashi Corporation. Chapman Tripp advised long time client Eastland Group on all aspects of the sale including structuring, vendor due diligence, regulatory matters, and negotiation of transaction documentation with multiple bidders
Two Chapman Tripp Partners on NZ Lawyer’s 2023 Elite Women List
We are delighted that Chapman Tripp Partners Rachel Dunne and Nicola Swan have been included on NZ Lawyer’s 2023 Elite Women List. The list includes 50 exceptional female leaders that have influenced the New Zealand legal profession in a way that demonstrates a passion for the law.
Construction & Major Projects specialist promoted to Partner
We are pleased to welcome a new Partner with the promotion of Kylie Mutch − a construction and major projects specialist. Since joining Chapman Tripp in 2010, Kylie has advised numerous leading New Zealand businesses, bringing a wealth of experience to large-scale construction projects across a wide variety of sectors, including infrastructure, energy, transport, health, airports and commercial. She advises on all aspects of project procurements and has particular experience with the alliance contracting model.
Congratulations to our new Special Counsel
We are pleased to announce the promotion of Jeremy Gray to Special Counsel. Jeremy is a lawyer in our Corporate & Commercial practice, with particular expertise in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital. He advises clients on a range of matters including sale and purchase agreements, limited partnership agreements, joint venture agreements and other commercial contracts.