Peter Bennett
Commercial Barrister

Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor (1975)

LLB (Hons 1st Class) Victoria University of Wellington

I am an experienced corporate lawyer, having practised as a barrister and solicitor in Wellington for over 35 years, primarily in the fields of banking and corporate finance, general corporate/commercial, securities and maritime law. From August 2015, I commenced practice as a commercial barrister (operating under Bennett Law) and ceased practice as a solicitor.

Historically a particular emphasis of my work has been on major commercial or financing transactions, often of a complex structured finance and/or “project based” nature, frequently involving significant infrastructure assets.

My work has often entailed a foreign (law or client, or other cross border) element, and I have worked extensively with and in foreign legal markets. The nature of the work has frequently required project or transaction management inputs, additional to legal advice, and I enjoy working with clients in that way.

As a partner for over 30 years at Chapman Tripp, one of New Zealand’s largest national law firms, I held a variety of senior partnership professional and management roles (including convenor of its national banking and finance practice, and various terms on its governing Board and its Partner Admissions and Partner Remuneration committees). I also spent two years practising shipping law in one of London’s leading maritime law firms. Since 2013 I have operated a boutique commercial law practice under Bennett Law.

If you have any questions or would like to contact me, I can be reached at peter@bennettlaw.co.nz

Clients

I have been Relationship Manager for many of Chapman Tripp’s largest clients. During my career I have worked with a wide range of corporate borrowers /issuers and firms. These include Telecom, ECNZ, Transpower, Meridian Energy, Contact Energy, Natural Gas Corporation, Airways Corporation, Christchurch International Airport, Fay Richwhite, Petrocorp, Shipping Corporation, Rural Bank, PostBank, Government Property Services, ENZA, and Housing New Zealand.

I have also worked successfully with many statutory bodies or public agencies such as Reserve Bank of New Zealand, New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Government Superannuation Fund, NZ Transport Agency or its predecessors (Transit NZ and Trans Fund NZ), Treasury, and EQC.

Clients I have advised include most of New Zealand’s major banks, corporate trustees, and a range of investment banks and other financial intermediaries.

I have worked with many international banks and financial institutions such as Bank of America, Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and UBS, as well as other commercial enterprises.

Industry Rankings

I have been listed as leading or expert lawyer in banking or project finance by various trade publications, including Chambers Asia Pacific, IFLR1000, and Legal Media Group Guide.

Pro Bono

I am currently Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Foundation for Youth Development Wellington, (a charitable organisation operating Project K and other youth development programmes).