Alex MacDuff

Alex MacDuff

Senior Associate

Litigation/Restructuring & Insolvency

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Profile

Alex MacDuff is a senior associate in Russell McVeagh's Litigation team. He is a general commercial litigator who specialises in restructuring, insolvency and special situations.
 
Alex's experience includes advising corporates, financial institutions and other stakeholders on restructurings, stressed and distressed refinancings and insolvencies. Alex also acts for insolvency practitioners in formal appointments such as receiverships, voluntary administrations and liquidations. He has particular experience in the retail, tourism, entertainment and aviation sectors and has advised in respect of a number of listed-company restructurings and insolvencies. 

Alex recently returned to Russell McVeagh after spending a number of years working in London for Allen & Overy's Global Restructuring Group, where he advised on a number of high-profile cross-border and domestic matters.
 

Experience

His recent work includes advising:

  • the administrators of the NZ Ovato group (ASX: OVT).
  • an Australian listed real estate investment fund and appointed receivers in respect of its funding and workout of, and litigation relating to, the Union Green property development.
  • the directors of the Kurow Duntroon irrigation scheme on its successful restructuring and recapitalisation through voluntary administration and receivership.
  • a global property developer in respect of a significant sale and purchase warranty dispute.
  • CLSA Premium (6877.HK) on the restructuring of its NZ derivatives business and exit from the NZ market.
  • the administrators of the Greensill Capital group, a global financial services provider.
  • the syndicate on the proposed restructuring, and subsequent liquidation of, Thomas Cook Group plc, a former FTSE-listed multinational tour operator and airline.
  • the syndicate on the proposed restructuring, and subsequent administration of, Intu Properties plc, a former FTSE-listed multinational shopping centre developer and manager.
  • the provisional and official liquidators of Abraaj Holdings, the global impact investing private equity firm.
  • Gategroup, an airline industry service provider, on aspects of its restructuring by way of restructuring plan.
  • a large multinational corporate in the media and entertainment industry on various restructuring matters.
  • the syndicate on the proposed restructuring of Debenhams plc, a former FTSE-listed department store retailer.
  • the voluntary administrators of CBL Corporation, a former NZX-listed insurer.
  • a lender on the restructuring of a large New Zealand forestry industry business.
  • a private individual in successful litigation to overturn a decision by the Registrar of Companies to prohibit him from acting as a director (Brand v Registrar of Companies [2018] NZHC 3148).
  • the receivers of the Orange H (formerly Hawkins) group of companies, a construction business.
  • the receivers of the Pumpkin Patch group, a former NZX-listed retail group.
  • various stakeholders on various proposed or successful schemes of arrangement, including of Trustpower, Allenx Industries, Suncorp, Thomas Cook group plc and Debenhams plc.
  • Vector in the High Court and Court of Appeal in relation to the capital treatment of a lump sum payment received for infrastructure access (CIR v Vector [2016] NZCA 296).
  • Glencore in its claims against the vessel Lancelot V and securing her sale pendent lite (Glencore Grain BV v The Ship "Lancelot V" [2015] NZHC 2052). 

Credentials

LLB (Hons), BCOM, University of Auckland.
Member, Restructuring, Insolvency and Turnaround Association of New Zealand.
 

Professional

Alex joined Russell McVeagh as a graduate in 2014. He worked at Allen & Overy LLP in London as an associate and senior associate in the Global Restructuring Group before returning to Russell McVeagh in 2021. 
 
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