Richard Parkes

Richard is a partner in our  commercial property law team  In particular he specialises in the sale and purchase of commercial, rural and industrial properties, advises landlords and tenants on commercial leasing matters and assists clients with property subdivision and building development projects.

Before joining Cavell Leitch Law in 2000, Richard spent four years at KPMG as a tax consultant and six years at one of New Zealand's largest national law firms as a corporate and property lawyer.  Richard therefore has an excellent knowledge of taxation law and commercial structuring of businesses (including use of companies, joint ventures and trading trusts).

Richard has spent a great deal of time recently dealing with the property law issues that have arisen out of the Canterbury Earthquakes, in particular the difficult EQC issues and also the problematic commercial leasing issues being faced by both landlords and tenants.

Richard has strong links to the agricultural sector as a committee member of the Canterbury Agricultural & Pastoral Association and is a past member of the High Country Tenure Review Consultants Committee.

Richard has become a leading legal expert in rural law matters and regularly presents at rural professionals seminars and conferences throughout New Zealand on rural law issues.  He acts for many farmers throughout the South Island assisting them with farm sales and purchases, restructurings and equity partnerships, especially in the grazing and dairy sectors.

Richard has considerable expertise on New Zealand's overseas investment laws and high country farming matters including tenure review and pastoral lease matters.

When family life permits, Richard enjoys sport and competing in long distance on-road and off-road running races, tennis, fishing, skiing and watching a wide range of sports

We invite you to contact Richard directly to dicuss any legal matters in person.

Professional Qualifications

LL.B (Otago)
BCom (Accounting) (Otago)