James Mellsop

Education

MCA (with Distinction) in economics, Victoria University of Wellington
BCA (with Honours) in economics (1st Class), Victoria University of Wellington
LLB degree, Victoria University of Wellington
BCA in accountancy, Victoria University of Wellington

Experience

James Mellsop specialises in the application of economic analysis to legal issues in New Zealand and Australia. He is particularly focused on the areas of competition, regulation, contractual disputes, damages, fair trading, tax, and resource management.

James’ experience includes analysing the economic implications of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other contracts, and market behaviour and regulatory interventions in a variety of sectors and industries, including media, telecommunications, electricity, gas, water, mining, post, health, retailing, supermarkets, transport, manufacturing, agriculture, software, building products, banking and finance, ports, airports and waste.  He has also analysed and quantified the economic and environmental effects of resource management decisions and damages as a result of breach of contract, collusion and misrepresentation.

James has provided expert evidence before the Australian Competition Tribunal, the New Zealand High Court, the New Zealand Environment Court, the New Zealand Commerce Commission, arbitrators and Resource Management Act Commissioners.  He has worked on projects in New Zealand, Australia, and Asia, and has been engaged by both the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission and the New Zealand Commerce Commission.

Prior to joining NERA in 2008, James directed the New Zealand competition practice of another international economics consultancy.  In addition, he worked for the New Zealand Treasury on microeconomic policy issues, particularly competition, regulatory and telecommunications policy.  From 1992 to 1996, James worked as a lawyer for Bell Gully, with a focus on competition, corporate, and oil and gas law.