Bell Gully is top New Zealand firm in Thomson's Australasian M&A legal league tables for first half of 2004

Bell Gully is the highest ranked New Zealand law firm in each of Thomson Financial's Australasian M&A legal adviser league tables for the first half of 2004.

During this period, the firm advised on completed deals worth US$2.186 billion.

Bell Gully was the highest ranked New Zealand firm in the completed and announced rankings of deals with any Australia/New Zealand involvement and in the completed and announced rankings of deals with an Australian or New Zealand target.

"It's a great six-month result - made possible by our clients," said Bell Gully chairman Matthew Cockram. "Some of our most valued and longstanding clients feature on our first-half deal list.

"We appreciate their long-term relationship with Bell Gully and thank them for making us the top New Zealand firm in these league tables."

Notes to editors

Bell Gully is New Zealand's leading law firm, with over 230 legal staff.

Thomson Financial compiles details of all deals worth over US$30 million and publishes a league table of legal advisers twice each year. Further information is available at its website, www.thomson.com/league.

For further information, please contact:

Josephine Gallagher
Senior Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel: +64 9 916 8664
Mobile: +64 21 190 3185
Bell Gully