Stephen Franks
Encyclopedia
Stephen Franks in Wellington
, New Zealand
is a commercial lawyer. At one time, he was Chairman and Partner of the large firm Chapman Tripp
. Franks has been a member of two political parties. He previously served as a List MP for the right wing Act New Zealand (Association of Consumers and Taxpayers). He then stood unsuccessfully for the National Party
for the 2008 General Election
. Franks is also a media commentator and writer on legal and commercial topics; and is married with three daughters and a son in their 20s.
where he studied Law (attained qualifications include BA/LLB (Hons) and Dip.Acc.). Franks was subsequently admitted to the Bar in 1975.
Prior to entering Parliament in 1999 Franks' professional appointments included: being a member of the Securities Commission, Deputy Chairman (1999-1999) of the Market Surveillance Panel of the New Zealand Stock Exchange
having been a member of the MSP from its inception for nine years, and a Council member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.
When Richard Prebble
announced his retirement from politics in early 2004, Franks was one of the four candidates who sought to take his place as leader of ACT. Franks ran on a platform of restoring the party's core message. Despite receiving the endorsement of party founder Roger Douglas, he was eventually defeated by Rodney Hide. After Hide became leader of the ACT party on 13 June, Franks remained the party's spokesperson for justice.
candidate for Wellington Central
for the 2008 General Election
, being number 60 on the National Party list. He lost the contest by 1904 votes to Labour's Grant Robertson.
His business interests presently centre around his public law practice, several company directorships, farming and manuka honey beekeeping. Other time is spent mountain biking, deer hunting, skiing and tramping. His earlier keen interest in matters military (he was a Lieutenant (Artillery) in the Territorials) and sailing have given way to family time.
A keen interest in education saw Franks having seven years on his children’s primary school board and 11 years on the Management Board of Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
is a commercial lawyer. At one time, he was Chairman and Partner of the large firm Chapman Tripp
Chapman Tripp
Established in New Zealand in 1875, Chapman Tripp is one of New Zealand's largest commercial law firms, with 52 partners and around 220 legal staff across its offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch...
. Franks has been a member of two political parties. He previously served as a List MP for the right wing Act New Zealand (Association of Consumers and Taxpayers). He then stood unsuccessfully for the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
for the 2008 General Election
New Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
. Franks is also a media commentator and writer on legal and commercial topics; and is married with three daughters and a son in their 20s.
Early life
Franks was first educated at Taihape College, and then at VictoriaVictoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
where he studied Law (attained qualifications include BA/LLB (Hons) and Dip.Acc.). Franks was subsequently admitted to the Bar in 1975.
Prior to entering Parliament in 1999 Franks' professional appointments included: being a member of the Securities Commission, Deputy Chairman (1999-1999) of the Market Surveillance Panel of the New Zealand Stock Exchange
New Zealand Exchange
NZX Limited is a stock exchange located in Wellington, New Zealand. Since July 2005 it has been located in NZX Centre, the renovated Odlins building on the Wellington waterfront...
having been a member of the MSP from its inception for nine years, and a Council member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.
Member of Parliament: 1999-2005
Franks entered Parliament in the 1999 elections, having been ranked in third place on the party list for the ACT Party. This high ranking (above several sitting MPs) was indicative of ACT's high hopes for Franks at the time - as a prominent lawyer, he was generally regarded as a significant asset for the party. During his six years in Parliament he was ACT spokesman for Justice, Corrections, the Police and Commerce. He added Maori Affairs and Sport in the last three years.When Richard Prebble
Richard Prebble
Richard William Prebble CBE, born 7 February 1948, was for many years a member of the New Zealand Parliament. Initially a member of the Labour Party, he joined the newly formed ACT New Zealand party under Roger Douglas in 1996.-Early and personal life:...
announced his retirement from politics in early 2004, Franks was one of the four candidates who sought to take his place as leader of ACT. Franks ran on a platform of restoring the party's core message. Despite receiving the endorsement of party founder Roger Douglas, he was eventually defeated by Rodney Hide. After Hide became leader of the ACT party on 13 June, Franks remained the party's spokesperson for justice.
2005 election
Franks lost his seat in Parliament in the 2005 general election when the total percentage of the popular vote for ACT reduced the ACT Party to two seats in Parliament. He subsequently returned to practising law, rejoining his old firm, Chapman Tripp as a consultant. He later left this firm to set up his own commercial and public law practice, Franks & Ogilvie2008 election and after
Franks was National PartyNew Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
candidate for Wellington Central
Wellington Central
rightWellington Central is a suburb of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, consisting of the flat, mostly reclaimed land, west of Lambton Harbour and the part of The Terrace immediately above it. It is bounded on the north by the suburb Pipitea and extends as far south as Civic Square...
for the 2008 General Election
New Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
, being number 60 on the National Party list. He lost the contest by 1904 votes to Labour's Grant Robertson.
His business interests presently centre around his public law practice, several company directorships, farming and manuka honey beekeeping. Other time is spent mountain biking, deer hunting, skiing and tramping. His earlier keen interest in matters military (he was a Lieutenant (Artillery) in the Territorials) and sailing have given way to family time.
A keen interest in education saw Franks having seven years on his children’s primary school board and 11 years on the Management Board of Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School is located in the Wellington suburb of Karori in New Zealand. It has a socio-economic decile of 10 and provides private preschool to year 13 education for girls, but with co-educational kindergarten facilities...
.
Further reading
- Franks' contribution is the opening address: {U]pdate and overview of the commercial significance of company law reform." This paper also appears in the following publication:
- Franks' contribution is the paper: "Justice for all."
- Franks' contribution is the paper: "How should ACT treat the TreatyTreaty of WaitangiThe Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand....
?"
- Franks' contribution was participation in a panel discussion entitled: "[D]iscussing the principles of the Treaty of WaitangiTreaty of WaitangiThe Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand....
"
- Franks' contribution is the paper: "Law reform and indigeniety: going native: what indigeniety should look like in the morning."
- Franks' contribution is the paper: "Liberals and the law."