Your TEAM.

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Lawyers

 
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Director

Neil Russ

➤ neil.russ@russassociateslaw.com
➤ +64 9 972 0184

Neil specialises in corporate and international income tax issues, as well as structured transactions.  Neil also has extensive experience in relation to GST matters, and is the author of the 11th edition of GST- A Practical Guide (CCH/Wolters Kluwer, June 2025), the leading text on GST in New Zealand.  In addition to his tax expertise Neil has a multi-jurisdictional background in banking, capital markets, structured finance, venture capital and private equity transactions.

Neil is currently advising a number of New Zealand and offshore clients about the tax consequences of available structuring options, and the tax aspects of investment transactions and asset disposals.  He advises a number of clients, other law firms and accounting practices on the development of new business structures and products, and regularly assists clients with tax investigations, binding and non-binding ruling applications and tax risk reviews.  

Neil is the Convenor of the New Zealand Law Society’s Tax Law Committee, a role he has held since 2013. He has experience as an expert witness in proceedings in New Zealand and New York in relation to New Zealand tax law and practice.

Neil is involved in tax policy, and is frequently dealing with Inland Revenue and Treasury officials on tax technical matters and proposed law changes.

Neil is also involved in AML/CFT advice, and independent audits, for a range of phase I and phase II clients. He is a member of the AML/CFT Industry Reference Group, and in 2023 he undertook a vulnerabilities analysis for the Law Council of Australia, in relation to the introduction of AML laws for the Australian legal profession.

Neil is interested in all sport, and after a long triathlon career he now plays golf, enjoys skiing, orienteering, cycling and kayaking, as well as fishing and travel with his family.

 

Expertise

  • AML/CFT

  • Banking and financial services

  • Private equity

  • Structured finance

  • Tax

  • Venture capital

Qualifications/Memberships

  • LL.B(Hons), Victoria University of Wellington (1986)

  • Admitted New Zealand 1986, England and Wales 1992

  • New Zealand Law Society (Convenor, Tax Law Committee)

  • Inter Pacific Bar Association (former Council Member)

  • International Fiscal Association

 
 
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Senior Associate

Charlotte Beale TEP

➤ charlotte.beale@russassociateslaw.com
➤ +64 9 302 8448

Together with Neil, Charlotte advises on all aspects of New Zealand taxation law, including GST issues. 

Charlotte also provides advice on AML/CFT issues, and carries out independent AML/CFT audits, for a range of phase I and phase II clients.

Charlotte has a background in trusts and private wealth, and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the NZLS Property Law Reform Panel.

Charlotte is an avid gardener, and enjoys cooking for friends and family in her spare time.

 

Expertise

  • AML/CFT

  • Tax

  • Trusts, estates and charities advisory

Qualifications/Memberships

  • Bachelor of Laws (University of Auckland)

  • Bachelor of Commerce (University of Auckland)

  • Admitted New Zealand 2009

  • Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Full Member – Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner)

  • Member – New Zealand Law Society Property Law Reform Panel