James Cochrane

James is a partner in our Dispute Resolution and Litigation team. He has significant banking and finance, insolvency, and insurance experience. He is also passionate about cryptocurrency/crypto-assets and Web3 technology.

James identifies problems before they arise and provides pragmatic solutions. Whether you’re involved in a complex commercial dispute or a matter of personal importance, James has a range of experience, skills and connections to help you achieve the outcome that you want.

James is experienced in alternative dispute resolution and regularly represents clients in courts and tribunals. He represents a range of clients, from individuals and start-ups through to large multinational corporates.

• Harrison v Roberts [2025] NZHC 1327 (26 May 2025) – acting for Australian bankruptcy trustee Brett Harrison in a successful cross-border insolvency application seeking the assistance of the New Zealand High Court to obtain possession and control of the assets of Ms Roberts in New Zealand, pursuant to a letter of request issued by the Federal Court of Australia.
• Island Grace Fiji Limited (in receivership and in liquidation) v Satori Holdings Limited (in liquidation) [2024] NZHC 3942 (20 December 2024) – acting for Mark McDonald and David Ruscoe of Grant Thornton as liquidators of Satori Holdings Limited (In Liq). Satori was a joint venture partner in respect of a Fijian hotel development called Six Senses and broader resort development. Obtaining costs for the liquidators.
• McDonald v Island Grace (Fiji) Limited (in rec and liq) [2024] NZHC 2675 (16 September 2024) – successful application acting for Grant Thornton as liquidators of Satori Holdings Limited (In Liq) allowing the sale of assets and other orders regarding the liquidators’ reasonable costs and expenses. 
• Liang – Re Bright Construction Ltd (in Liq) [2024] NZHC 368 – a successful application by the insolvent company’s director without notice for orders directing that a statement of claim need not be served on any party (High Court Rules 2016, r 18.6); and terminating the liquidation of a company that provided construction services (r 18.1(b)(iii), Companies Act 1993, s 250).
• Delorme SE24 Ltd (in liq) v Spot X Ltd [2023] NZHC 1488; BC202361476 – acting for Simon Dalton and Ben Francis of Gerry Rea Partners as liquidators of Delorme SE24 Ltd (in liq) on an urgent and successful application for appointment of an interim liquidator to Spot X Ltd. This case was reported in [2023] NZLJ 201.

• Financial restructuring
• Financial services regulatory
• PPP/PFI
• Real estate finance
• Restructuring and insolvency

• Construction and materials
• Financial services
• Insurance
• Technology and telecommunications

• LLB, University of Auckland
• BA, University of Auckland
• LLM, University of Auckland

• Blockchain NZ
• NZICM
• RITANZ