NZ presence on international M&A transaction table

Simpson Grierson Dealmakers maintain exclusive New Zealand presence on international M&A transaction table for 2008, despite global financial crisis.

The mergermarket global M&A roundup for 2008 was released today, with Simpson Grierson showing its market strength as the only New Zealand law firm to be featured on the twelve month mergermarket legal advisory table for Australasian M&A transactions.

In a year that reflected the impact of the global financial crisis with a drop in both deal values and volumes over the last six months, Simpson Grierson is delighted with its placing at number 12 on the table – confirmation of the firm's status as the leading New Zealand commercial deal maker of 2008.

Kevin Jaffe, Head of Corporate/Commercial, said "We are delighted to start the year on such a positive note, with international recognition of the firm's strong performance in a very competitive market."

In a year of solid deal making, Simpson Grierson acted for the Australian owned Toll NZ on the sale of the New Zealand national rail business back to the Crown, a highly publicised transaction valued at over NZ$700 million and PH van den Brink Limited and associated entities, in relation to the sale of its poultry business Tegel Foods Limited.

The firm also acted for BG Group Plc, on the New Zealand aspects of its bid for Origin Energy (Australia), providing ground-breaking advice on Takeover Code issues and exemption applications relating to Contact Energy (the second largest listed company in New Zealand – by market capitalisation), of which Origin Energy owns 51%.

Simpson Grierson is currently acting as legal advisors on the Matariki Forests sale.

ENDS

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