Richard is a highly experienced civil and commercial litigator, with particular expertise in banking and securities law, and insolvency. He has appeared as counsel in a large number of defended hearings in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.
He is a well known and trusted advisor to trading banks and key insolvency practitioners on various contested insolvency and enforcement matters.
Richard has particular niche expertise in advising financial institutions on ‘mutated debt collection’ litigation and the recovery of defrauded monies. Other decided cases Richard has argued include for breach of contract, professional negligence, Fair Trading Act actions, and a broad spread of general civil and commercial litigation.
Richard understands that being a litigator is about more than just arguing the legal issues. He prides himself on his ability to build meaningful business relationships with his clients, and his reputation for providing pragmatic and results-focussed advice. He has been practising law for 15 years, and joined Minter Ellison Rudd Watts as a partner in 2011.
Some of Richard's major projects
Regularly acting for trading banks (ANZ National Bank, Bank of New Zealand, Kiwibank, The Co-Operative Bank (formerly PSIS) and Rabobank) and other financiers on contested enforcement of security matters.
Representing key insolvency practitioners (PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, KordaMentha and BDO Spicers) on various disputes arising out of receivership and liquidation appointments, including competing security claims, the recovery of insolvent transactions and regarding liquidators’ remuneration.
Advising Trustees Executors Limited in relation to the discovery of a large $48 million mortgage fraud scheme (the tracing of proceeds, equitable relief, etc), and then acting on subsequent defended litigation (including summary judgment and caveat cases, witness actions, and appeals to Court of Appeal.
Acting for the receivers of Capital + Merchant Finance Limited, including on a large number of cases requiring urgent applications to the Court to enable settlement of mortgagee sales to occur.
Particular niche expertise in conducting ‘mutated debt collection’ litigation for financial institutions (including ANZ National Bank, Kiwibank and Southland Building Society), including the suing of valuers, engineers and other professionals for defective advice related to lending, and on the recovery of defrauded monies.
Acting for Wellington Electricity Lines Limited on a precedent setting High Court case regarding asserted rentals for electricity lines and other transmission equipment.
Being the primary provider of litigation and related commercial advice to on-line auction business Trade Me. Successfully conducting a number of defended witness actions at arbitration, and in the District Court and High Court.
Acting in a $55 million product liability arbitration claim against a multi-national corporate.
Advising a large local authority on tenure, leases and other property related disputes following its acquisition of land for a Regional Park.
Appearing as counsel on an appeal that set new legal precedent for off-licences throughout New Zealand.
Conducting all defended litigation for a nationwide trade body in the construction sector.
Work history
Partner, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts (October 2011 – present) Senior Associate, Buddle Findlay (August 2004 – October 2011) Senior Solicitor, Bell Gully (March 2001 – August 2004) Solicitor, Wynyard Wood (February 1999 – March 2001) Solicitor, Receivables Management Group (February 1997 – February 1999)
