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James Craig
BA LLB(Hons) BCL(Oxon) • Auckland
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James specialises in competition law and commercial litigation.
James provides advice on all aspects of restrictive trade practices and acquisitions under the Commerce Act, together with Fair Trading Act issues. He has been involved in significant court litigation dealing with Commerce Act and Fair Trading Act claims, together with numerous clearance applications for acquisitions. He has also assisted clients with successful leniency applications to the Commission. He regularly provides compliance seminars to clients on the Commerce Act and the Fair Trading Act.
James also acts for a range of clients in litigation involving general commercial matters, assisting with all aspects of litigation ranging from alternative dispute resolution through to court proceedings.
As well as being admitted in New Zealand, James is also admitted as a Solicitor, England and Wales (non-practising); and a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Samoa (non-practising).
He was an advisory board member of the Competition Law & Policy Institute of NZ (CLPINZ) for many years; and is a current member of the Association of Dispute Resolvers (LEADR).
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025
Competition/Antitrust
Leading Lawyer
Asia Pacific Legal 500 2024
Competition Law
Leading Lawyer
Who's Who Legal: Australia & New Zealand 2023
Competition
Global Leader
The International Who's Who Legal 2023
Competition
Global Leader
Work Highlights
Recent Commerce Act acquisition matters
Elgas
Acted for Elgas in 2024 in obtaining clearance from the Commerce Commission for Elgas to acquire 60.25% of the shares in Liquigas Limited from Vector Investment Holdings Limited, as well as the assets of On Gas Limited from Vector Limited.
2degrees
Acted for 2degrees in obtaining clearance from the Commerce Commission for Connexa to acquire 2degrees’ mobile tower network in 2023.
Vocus / Orcon
Obtaining clearance from the Commerce Commission to acquire the telecommunications business of 2degrees in 2022.
Are Media
Obtaining clearance from the Commerce Commission for it to acquire the magazine distribution business of Ovato in 2021.
Bayer
Acting in 2020 in relation to the application for clearance to the Commerce Commission for Elanco to acquire Bayer’s animal health business in New Zealand.
Recent Commerce Act restrictive trade practices matters
Freight Forwarding
Acting in 2021/2022 for a freight forwarder involved in the Commission’s cartel conduct investigation.
Restrictive Covenants
Acting in 2021/2022 for the complainant in relation to the Commission’s investigation and Court proceedings regarding an anti-competitive restrictive covenant.
Recent general litigation matters
The a2 Milk Company Limited
Acting for a2MC in arbitration proceedings against Synlait Milk Finance Limited in relation to various contractual supply issues in 2023/2024.
bp Oil New Zealand Limited
Acting for bp in arbitration proceedings with Channel Infrastructure NZ Limited in relation to various contract disputes in 2023/2024.
Fuji Xerox NZ Litigation
Acting for the former managing director of Fuji Xerox NZ in major High Court litigation relating to alleged breaches of director’s duties.
Westland Milk
Acting for Westland Milk in 2022 in Court proceedings brought against it by a supplier.
