R v Sullivan

In the High Court of New Zealand, the case of R v Sullivan and others involved charges against Edward Oral Sullivan, Robert Alexander White, and Lachie John McLeod for various offences related to their roles in South Canterbury Finance Ltd. The trial, presided over by Justice Heath, lasted for several months with extensive evidence presented over multiple court dates. The charges against the defendants included making false statements in prospectuses, theft by a person in a special relationship, and obtaining by deception. The Crown argued that the defendants' actions contributed to the financial collapse of South Canterbury, while the defence contended that the collapse was due to broader market conditions and inadequate governance rather than deliberate dishonesty.

Justice Heath found Sullivan guilty on several counts, including making false statements in prospectuses and obtaining by deception. Specifically, Sullivan was found guilty for not disclosing certain related-party transactions that were material to potential investors. He was acquitted on other charges such as theft in a special relationship, where the court found he might have honestly believed the transactions were permissible. White and McLeod were acquitted on all charges, with the court finding insufficient evidence to establish their criminal liability. Justice Heath also addressed various procedural issues that arose during the trial, including the application of the co-conspirators’ rule and the suppression of certain trial judgments. The final verdicts and reasons for the verdicts were detailed in a comprehensive judgment, which was distributed to the parties and made publicly available. Sullivan was convicted on several counts and faced sentencing, while White and McLeod were discharged from all charges.