Partner - Auckland
Elizabeth Rutherford
Expertise
About
Elizabeth is an expert in commercial, competition and public law, trusted by clients for her strategic and commercially savvy advice.
For a decade, Elizabeth has built a reputation for navigating complex issues to deliver innovative and pragmatic solutions to both private-sector and government clients.
She has managed large-scale cases and acted on some of contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand’s most significant and complex disputes.
Elizabeth continues to lead criminal prosecutions for both the Crown and government agencies.
Recent Cases & Achievements
Air Cargo Cartel Proceedings
Acted for the Commerce Commission in a cartel case against a range of major airlines worldwide, including Air New Zealand, resulting in the airlines paying significant penalties.
South Canterbury Finance
Acted for the Serious Fraud Office in R v Sullivan [2014] NZHC 3201, one of New Zealand’s largest ever fraud prosecutions.
Minister of Education v Carter Holt Harvey Ltd [2020] NZHC 1979
New Zealand Government litigation to recover losses suffered as a result of defective cladding on school buildings by one of New Zealand’s biggest companies.
Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd v Commerce Commission [2016] NZHC 1262
Acted for the Commerce Commission in an appeal against the Commission’s decision to decline a merger application in the wool scouring industry.
Commercial Advisory
Successfully advised a range of commercial clients across major New Zealand sectors and industries including horticulture, logging, construction and technology.
Credentials
LLB(Hons), University of Otago