New Zealand: International Courts & Tribunals

Increasingly New Zealand businesses are operating in an international environment.

Three New Zealand court decisions helpfully illustrate the legal frameworks which can apply when disputes arise with overseas business partners.

As expected, the final report of the WTO Panel in the New Zealand-Australia Apples dispute has confirmed a resounding victory for New Zealand. In the previous edition of Connected Asia Pacific, we discussed the prospects for a negotiated settlement and the likelihood that Australia would appeal. On 31 August 2010 Australia filed its appeal to the Appellate Body. New Zealand’s submissions are due before the end of September 2010 and the appeal is due to be heard in public on 11 and 12 October