Steven Bird

Full Profile

Steven regularly represents financial institutions, blue chip corporates and high net worth individuals in complex commercial disputes and financial services litigation and investigations.

In addition to this, Steven also has expertise in undertaking inquiries and sports law.  Steven was admitted to the bar in New Zealand in 2012 and has appeared as sole counsel in the District Court and High Court of New Zealand.

Steven holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in philosophy, politics and economics from the University of Otago in New Zealand.  He has also passed Levels I and II of the Chartered Financial Analyst qualification.

Experience

• Acting for Adenium SICAV (in liquidation) and CNPR (the Italian Accountant's pension fund with approximately €2 billion in assets under management) in their claim against an international investment bank arising out of the sale of a €30 million structured note (with the claim settling).
• For VTB Commodities in LCIA arbitration proceedings and Commercial Court Part 8 arbitration claims against a large Russian oil refinery including the maintenance of a worldwide freezing order to the value of €225 million.
• For a high-net-worth individual following the sale of a business that was allegedly induced by a fraudulent misrepresentation (with the claim being discontinued).
• For a large, privately held UK manufacturer in successful summary judgment proceedings against one of its former employees that had embezzled funds.
• Advising two EU based companies on the recognition and enforcement of an ICSID arbitration award in England against a foreign state.
• For the directors of Feltex Carpets in New Zealand's first class action filed on behalf of more than 3,600 investors who had bought shares pursuant to the IPO prospectus (with the High Court holding the prospectus did not contain an untrue statement pursuant to the Securities Act 1978).
• For a high-profile individual in relation to allegations of insider trading with no action being taken by the regulators.
• For the ultimate beneficial owner of a company registered in the British Virgin Islands in relation to the misappropriation and sale of company assets.
• For a UK professional services company against a high net worth Iranian citizen for services rendered (with payment being obtained). 
• An arbitration involving a high-profile All Black questioning the interpretation of their employment agreement.
• An arbitration of the New Zealand Rugby Appeal Council following an alleged breach of player eligibility bylaws.

Inquiries into:

• Cycling New Zealand’s High Performance Programme (the Olympic team) following allegations of misconduct;
• The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s immigration arm on two separate occasions following immigration decisions that were reported in the news media; and
• The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority following allegations of misconduct by public servants.