Malcolm Crotty

Malcolm specialises in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, including construction, insolvency and employment law. He acts on matters involving emergency and urgent relief orders and complex contractual and statutory interpretation issues.

Malcolm brings his experience and intelligence to represent clients in all Courts, appearing before the Court of Appeal, High Court and District Court. He is also experienced in representing clients before mediations and commercial arbitrations.

Malcolm was previously Chair of the Russell McVeagh Board and prior to this was Chair of the Partnership.

Malcolm has a strong track record delivering for clients in a number of capacities, including obtaining urgent emergency orders.

He has acted in many matters in his distinguished career including:

• Counsel in numerous property disputes and arbitrations, including rent reviews, and in the High Court.
• Providing advice on health and safety compliance, defending health and safety prosecutions.
• Acting on construction disputes (including vessel construction disputes), including major construction arbitrations for developers and contractors and applications for interim protective measures.
• Advising and acting on major contractual disputes including formation, breach, termination and damages issues.
• Advising and acting on significant negligence claims including duty of care, breach, causation and damages issues.
• Acting in Māori Land Court proceedings concerning the sale of forestry interests.

LLB (First Class Honours), University of Otago
BCL (First Class Honours), Oxford University

Malcolm originally joined Russell McVeagh in 1992, the year he was admitted to practise, before leaving to study for his postgraduate degree at Oxford University.

He then worked as a Labour Law and Labour Relations specialist at the International Labour Office in Geneva before returning to Russell McVeagh in 1998. He became a partner in 2003 and has previously been Chair of Russell McVeagh's Board and Chair of the Partnership.

Malcolm is recognised as a leading lawyer for Dispute Resolution in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 Guide, for Labour and Employment Law, Insolvency and Reorganisation Law, and Litigation by Best Lawyers® 2024 New Zealand Guide, and as a recommended lawyer for Construction, Projects & Infrastructure in Doyles Guide 2018 and 2019.