Webb Henderson

In the final edition of Thinking Business for 2024, we take a look back at the year just gone. We discuss the review of the Commerce Act, the new priorities of the Commerce Commission and changes to advertising laws, as well as updates on other developments in New Zealand business law. https://lnkd.in/gFQcpu6B

We are very pleased to announce the appointments of Megan Roberts in Auckland and Joe Scarcella in Sydney as partners of Webb Henderson, with effect from 1 January 2025.    Joe practices in the areas of litigation, competition and consumer law, and corporate regulation. He has worked on a range of complex commercial disputes and large multi-party litigation matters in the Federal Court of Australia and the Supreme Courts of NSW and Victoria. He has also undertaken a number of large regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings both for and against government regulators, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). Joe is another ‘home-grown’ partner, having first joined the firm full time as a graduate lawyer, working at Webb Henderson throughout his career.   Megan joined the firm in January 2019, after returning from working overseas, and has been a key member of our Auckland corporate team since that time. She was previously promoted to Counsel in January 2023. Megan advises clients on the full range of corporate transactions and advice including mergers and acquisitions, joint venture and limited partnership arrangements, corporate governance matters, and commercial contracts. In addition to her specialist expertise in capital markets (including IPOs), Megan advises leading corporates, private equity firms and private business owners on their most important strategic projects and transactions.   It is a pleasure to welcome Joe and Megan to the partnership. 

Congratulations to Webb Henderson corporate partner Ashton Goatley for winning the Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year award at the 2024 #NZLawAwards. Webb Henderson were also honoured to be named as the Boutique Law Firm of the Year, in recognition of our team’s specialist expertise.  Congratulations to all the finalists and winners in their categories, particularly the in-house teams that have been recognised for their work on market-leading transactions. We are looking forward to an uplift in large scale transactions in 2025, as New Zealand best positions itself for a productive and sustainable future.

KiwiSaver funds under management have recently surpassed $100 billion across more than three million members. Thinking Business discusses the future of the scheme, the National Infrastructure Plan, and the Regulatory Standards Bill, as well as updates on other developments in New Zealand business law. https://lnkd.in/gXV7vC6W

It has been a busy couple of months for privacy and AI regulation! The Australian Government has proposed introducing mandatory guardrails for AI in high-risk settings, alongside the first tranche of Privacy Act reforms and guidance from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on the application of privacy laws to AI.    We've pulled together these notable developments in one place.

The Government outlines the third phase of its ambitious RMA reforms. We discuss that RMA reform, as well as proposed changes to overseas investment rules, NZX listing rules, the digital media landscape, electricity markets and other developments in New Zealand business law. https://lnkd.in/gA4GHpwS

The Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill is a hot topic for law makers, publishers and digital platforms. Webb Henderson and Andrew Butler KC note the risks that any dominant source of funding present for media plurality, and comment on options, including simple solutions to support more flexible funding by private individuals and organisations interested in promoting high quality journalism, that do not run the same risk of adverse policy and commercial consequences that have been identified in respect of the Bill.  

We're #hiring a new Junior litigator in Greater Sydney Area. Apply today or share this post with your network.

The Australian Government's view on regulating AI has shifted towards a more interventionist stance. Many organisations are likely to find themselves within the newly-proposed mandatory guardrails for firms that deploy and develop AI. We've looked at the latest proposals and set out our views.

Our thoughts on some implementation options as the ACCC's digital platforms inquiry draws to a close early 2025.