Richard is a widely-experienced regulatory specialist and supports clients across several key practice areas, including:
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- Privacy, data governance, and cyber security.
- Consumer credit, including the CCCFA and related financial services regulation.
- Payment regulation, Buy Now Pay Later, open finance and the Consumer Data Right.
- AI, emerging technology and growth industries including IOT and connected cars.
- ESG issues, including climate related disclosure, “greenwashing” risks and Modern Slavery.
- Retail, advertising and marketing compliance, including advising on all aspects of the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act.
- Unfair Contract Terms in B2C and B2B contracts, and unconscionable conduct.
Richard is recommended in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023 where he is described as a “particular standout.” One client writes that Richard is “responsive, thorough, extremely capable and is always a pleasure to communicate with.” In an earlier edition a client says Richard "has the ability to digest complicated matters quickly to help problem solve" and that he “provides clear and reasoned advice. He is easy to deal with and has an in-depth knowledge of the law."
NZ Lawyer describes Richard as “an expert in consumer law matters and regulatory investigations" with “a strong reputation as a trusted advisor." Richard was recognised in NZ Lawyer's inaugural 'Rising Stars' list which included up-and-coming stars in the legal profession who are committed to making a difference.
Richard’s broad “end-to-end” regulatory practice includes:
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- delivering strategic compliance advice on emerging regulation;
- assisting with commercial contracting requirements and developing compliant customer terms and privacy policies;
- engaging with regulators on behalf of clients in relation to new products or initiatives and responding to regulatory investigations; and
- assisting clients with law reform activities including submissions on key legislative changes.
Richard has worked on secondment for in-house legal teams at One NZ and Independent Liquor, where his role covered compliance, consumer law, privacy, and contracting matters. Prior to arriving at Bell Gully, Richard worked at Slaughter and May in London.
Richard regularly presents at seminars and is a frequent commentator on consumer law, AI, consumer credit, privacy, and other e-commerce issues. Richard has recently featured in articles by:
- Newsroom, on the regulation of Artificial Intelligence (here).
- MLex, on open banking and affordability tests for BNPL products (here).
- Radio New Zealand, on amendments to the Fair Trading Act (here).
- Interest.co.nz, on Unfair Contract Terms in business contracts (here).
- The New Zealand Herald, on changes to consumer credit laws (here).
- Newsroom, on the proposed consumer data right reforms in New Zealand (here).
- Radio New Zealand, on the overlap between consumer and privacy regulatory enforcement (here).
