Torrin Crowther

Torrin is ranked by leading legal directories. Chambers Asia Pacific 2024 again ranks him in the top tier of competition lawyers. In previous editions he was widely praised for his experience in large cross-border transactions and on behavioural matters. Clients described Torrin as "one of the top lawyers in the New Zealand competition field," he was characterised by a client as a "very commercial, accessible and available" adviser, noted for his "comprehensive knowledge of our business and industry." A previous edition also recognised Torrin with having a "very deep and granular understanding of the competition environment in New Zealand" and “an intuitive knack for understanding issues." 

Torrin is also recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 in the hall of fame for competition law as well as recommended for transport. Clients regard him as "the best competition lawyer in the country both technically but more importantly in terms of pragmatism and providing easily understood advice at all levels of a client’s organisation." Another client said "Torrin has a unique ability to assess the particular pressures that face our business. His in-depth understanding of both the economic realities of our business and operations and how these might be considered in any particular assessment made by the Commerce Commission is invaluable". In previous editions, clients said he "provides very commercially-oriented advice" and that he "understands that the audience for advice is often the business rather than the legal team and is able to distil and communicate complex, technical legal issues in a very accessible way." He has also previously been recommended for corporate and M&A. 

Torrin is also listed as one of the leading New Zealand competition/anti-trust specialists by Who's Who Legal, and Euromoney's Guide to the World's Leading Competition and Antitrust Lawyers/Economists.

In addition to commenting for specialist competition law publications on competition law matters affecting New Zealand, Torrin has also contributed to the following:

• L Evans and others "Competition Aspects of Joint Ventures: A Perspective from the South Pacific" (2014) 10 CLI 91. 

• DD Sokol, D Crane and A Ezrachi (eds) Global Antitrust Compliance Handbook (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2014) at ch 29. 

• ILANZ Essential Guide to In-House practice – Competition Law (2013). 

• In-House Counsel Practical Guidance – Competition Law (LexisNexis, New Zealand, 2014). 

• C Campbell (ed) Handbook of Competition Enforcement Agencies 2014 (Law Business Research, London, 2014) at 224.

• New Zealand chapter of the 2016 edition of Global Competition Review –​ GCR Know-how: Immunity, Sanctions & Settlements.

Lineage Logistics New Zealand acquisition of Cold Storage Nelson
Advised Lineage Logistics on its acquisition of Cold Storage Nelson, including obtaining formal Commerce Commission Clearance.

Inghams acquisition of Bromley Park Hatcheries
Advised Inghams on its acquisition of the Bromley Park Hatcheries business in New Zealand, including obtaining formal Commerce Commission Clearance.

Waterlogic Group Holdings merger with Culligan International
Advised Warerlogic Group Holdings on the combination with Culligan International to create a leader in sustainable drinking water solutions and services, which received formal Commerce Commission Clearance.

Cartel leniency applications
Acting on a number of successful applications for leniency under the Commerce Commission’s Cartel Leniency Policy.

Cartel and market conduct investigations
Acting on Commerce Commission investigations into alleged cartel and other market behaviour conduct, including advising a large international company in relation to a Commerce Commission investigation into potential resale price maintenance.

Sector-specific regimes and exemptions
Advising on the application of sector-specific competition regimes and Commerce Act exemptions.