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 is Chair of the Russell McVeagh board and was previously Partnership Chair.

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 practice, 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 partnership.

Malcolm is recognised for Litigation by Best Lawyers® 2020 New Zealand guide; and a recommended lawyer for Construction, Projects & Infrastructure by Doyles Guide 2018.