As a Partner in Duncan Cotterill’s corporate and commercial team, Peter has broad commercial experience in information technology, privacy, consumer, and intellectual property law, supporting clients on a range of commercial and contracting matters.

Peter assists public and private sector clients by helping them with technology procurement, implementing software, commercialising technology and other products, or to simply get business done. His technology law experience includes advising broadly on the ever-changing digital environment, including assisting clients respond to cyber events and deep involvement major IT projects.

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Clients benefit from Peter’s extensive knowledge and experience in the IT industry, and his enthusiasm for truly understanding the outcomes required to develop solutions that are a great fit.

In addition to this work, Peter assists clients with M&A transactions in a wide range of sectors, acting for both vendors and purchasers. He also has particular interest and experience in relation to software-as-a-service and other technology businesses.

Peter prioritises providing clear, pragmatic, and timely advice and enjoy the variety of clients he works with.

Recent highlights

  • Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment — on all legal aspects of the emergency called location information (ECLI) service, which enables emergency service providers to locate 111 callers.
  • Builderscrack.co.nz — the founders of this SaaS technology business on their sale to ASX listed hipages Group.
  • Various government departments — on a wide range of commercial contracts, including negotiations and engagements with New Zealand businesses, along with international and multi-national suppliers.
  • Massey University — on its procurement of several new digital platforms and systems, including student management system, library management, and multi-campus network equipment.
  • Cedra International — on the sale of its time-critical medical express division to Marken New Zealand Limited, a division of UPS.
  • Cin7 Limited — in relation to its $100 million+ sale of business and assets to Rubicon Technology Partners.

 

Peter's insights

Personal imitation — deleting data to minimise identity theft risks

24 April 2023

New GILC Cyber Insurance report: cyber risk growing on an exponential scale

12 October 2022

Current trends of cyber risk in New Zealand – the role of risk management and insurance

19 September 2022

We're driven by our values

They drive our client relationships and connections with our community, and underpin our achievements.

He tāngata

  • Family Drug Support Aotearoa New Zealand — Board member

Excellence

  • Recognised as a ‘Leading Practitioner’ in the Best Lawyers New Zealand 2025 directory, for Intellectual Property and Technology Law.
  • Recognised as a NZ Lawyer “Rising Star” in 2022
  • Recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 legal directory for technology law

Enterprising

Speaker at:

  • 2021 TerraLex VGM – Australia vs. Google & Facebook: Who Won and What’s the Fallout for the Rest of the World?
  • 2022 Dietitians NZ Hybrid Conference
  • 2023 NZ Cyber Security Summit at Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
  • 2023 52nd ‘One Stop Update for the Accountant in Business’ conference in Christchurch and Wellington

Authenticity

“We worked with Peter Fernando and I would go as far to say it was the best experience we’ve had working with a partner. Peter provided true expertise when we needed it. He is an expert in what he does, but is also authentic, responsive and extremely detailed.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023

 

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