The best way to prevent employment relationship problems is to stop issues before they start.

Are you or do you know anyone who might be entitled to a sensitive claim settlement?

Sensitive claims in New Zealand involve compensation for abuse, neglect, or mistreatment, within government institutions.  These claims address deeply personal trauma and provide justice and redress for the affected individuals.  Our team can assist in working through these things.

Directors of companies in New Zealand are facing ever more challenging economic conditions characterised by varying interest rates, inflation, and market volatility.  During periods of financial stress, directors must navigate complex legal responsibilities carefully, as failure to comply with statutory duties can lead to severe consequences, including personal liability and regulatory penalties.  

Two recent Supreme Court decisions - Cooper v Pinney and Legler v Formannoij - appear to send conflicting signals about acceptable levels of control over trusts.  On one hand, Legler suggests that a single person effectively controlling a corporate trustee does not, in itself, undermine a trust.  On the other hand, Cooper implies that trust control needs closer scrutiny when considering whether relationship property claims may apply.

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 (the Act) introduces a series of significant changes to New Zealand's rental laws, aimed at improving tenant security, modernizing tenancy processes, and fostering a fairer balance between the rights of landlords and tenants.

After a contentious journey through the Parliament, the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 is here and as of 7 February 2024, the Fast track approval process is open to anyone who wants to apply for expedited consents of qualifying projects. Here’s how we can help.

When a relationship breaks down, it is common for one party to remain in the family home while the other pays for accommodation elsewhere.  This situation can raise concerns of fairness if one party is able to continue to enjoy the use of the home.  In this article, we explore the concept of “occupational rent” and how it can help separating couples reach a fair outcome.

Social media has become a big part of most people’s daily routine, and as a result, many aspects of our lives can be found easily online.  When it comes to differentiating between our personal and professional lives, the line is sometimes hard to find.

And in an employment situation, questions can arise over what an employee does in their personal life and how that can be dealt with in the workplace.  Is there anything that an employer can do about an employee’s personal social media posts?

Many retirement villages in New Zealand provide a continuum of care, allowing residents to access increasing levels of support as their needs change. This model offers peace of mind, but the process of transitioning to higher care within these villages involves important contractual, and financial considerations. For residents and their families, understanding the legal framework is essential to ensure a smooth transition.

The Seventh Edition of the Law Association’s Deed of Lease template was released on the 24^th of November 2024, and replaces the Sixth Edition which, subject to some minor adjustments, had been standard since 2012. The new edition may be considered an early Christmas gift to some, but is it really out with the old and in with the new? Here’s a summary of the key changes to help you navigate the Seventh Edition Deed of Lease.

Settlement day is fast approaching, and the agent has contacted you asking when you would like to complete your pre-settlement inspection. You may be thinking to yourself, is doing a pre-settlement inspection worth it? What sorts of things should I look out for? When should I complete this?

Read through this article to find out more.

As a foundational document for Aotearoa New Zealand, it is important to understand what te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi says, its spirit and intent, and what it means today.  With so much information out there, it is often hard to get to the bottom of it all and find the basics.

The Employment Court has recently looked at an employment dispute where an employee sought non-publication (name suppression) orders after the company breached a Settlement Agreement.  The Employment Relations Authority initially declined to grant non-publication of MW’s name, however, this was overturned by the Employment Court in a landmark decision MW v Spiga Ltd [2024] NZEmpC 147.

This article provides a general overview of the decision, including some important observations regarding the relevance of tikanga and its role in the decision-making process.

There are many reasons you could be looking to sell your business in 2024.  Maybe you want to free up some capital to pursue other ventures.  Maybe you are retiring.  Maybe the last few years have simply made you realise you want to do other things.

Whatever your reason, getting your business ready for sale is an important step to ensure you maximise the purchase price you may receive, and enable a smooth transition to the new owner with minimal stress to your employees – and yourself.

Properties with shared driveways are extremely common in New Zealand’s real estate market.  While some buyers look at them and appreciate the added privacy and control, others see the potential for issues to brew with their neighbours.  No matter which category you fit into, you may have questions about how exactly things will work after you purchase your new property.