Insights & Articles

Interesting insights on various areas of New Zealand law for individuals and businesses alike.
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RELOCATION DISPUTES: Considering relocating with your child to a different city or country? Family & relationship property auckland lawyer
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Relocation Disputes

Considering relocating with your child to a different city or country? It's essential to understand that such a move requires the consent of the other parent. The decision about where a child lives is a significant guardianship matter, and both parents must agree on it.
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Young onset dementia: how to get help and what needs to be in place. Wills, EPA and PPPR Lawyer for Young onset dementia
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Young onset dementia: how to get help and what needs to be in place

Fiona shares her deeply personal journey of caring for her mother, diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia at age 53. At just 29, Fiona navigated the challenges of supporting four generations under one roof, balancing the demands of new motherhood with caregiving responsibilities. She reflects on the emotional and financial strains, the importance of a support network, and the late diagnosis that left many questions unanswered.
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Remember to keep your employees in the loop when selling your business. Auckland employment Lawyer.
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Remember to keep your employees in the loop when selling your business

Selling a business involves balancing confidentiality and transparency with employees, especially under New Zealand employment law. When selling assets, employers must consult with employees before finalising the sale to avoid grievances if jobs are affected.
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Separating from your spouse or partner is often stressful, complicated, and painful especially when children are involved.
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Children who Resist, Refuse or Reject a relationship with their Parent

Separating from your spouse or partner is often stressful, complicated, and painful especially when children are involved. Reaching an agreement about how a child's care will be shared can be challenging and deepen conflict between parents if they do not see eye to eye.
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When purchasing a boat/ship/yacht/vessel - avoid the exercise becoming a frustrating nightmare - contact a legal expert. Forrester Grant McVeagh Fleming Lawyers
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Boat purchase 101 - Sale and Purchase Agreements

Well-drafted agreements for vessel sales are important, especially for larger, technical vessels. While smaller vessel buyers may see these as unnecessary, written contracts simplify legal disputes. Agreements range from basic contracts to detailed forms like the Norwegian Saleform and should clearly outline terms, transaction processes, and dispute procedures, with common provisions as a standard foundation.
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Auckland Relationship Lawyer - finances in a relationship. Ex refusing to provide full disclosure of their assets and liabilities.
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My Ex is hiding assets from me, what can I do?

At the end of a relationship, both parties must fully disclose their assets and liabilities to divide their property fairly. If one party withholds information, reaching a fair agreement becomes difficult, and any agreement made could be challenged and possibly overturned later.
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 Whether you're an employer seeking compliance or an employee seeking clarity, this article offers invaluable insights to navigate the process effectively.
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Restructures

Whether you're an employer seeking compliance or an employee seeking clarity, this article offers invaluable insights to navigate the process effectively.
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Auckland Relationship Lawyer - There is a presumption that when separating with your partner or spouse all of your relationship property will be split 50/50.
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Exceptions to equal sharing of relationship property

Upon separation, it's usually assumed that relationship property will be divided equally unless there's a prenuptial or premarital agreement. However, if there are special circumstances where equal division isn't fair, the court might order a different division to ensure fairness and justice.
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Why wouldn’t you wind up your Trust right now? Talk to an Auckland Family Trust Lawyer about winding up your Family Trust.
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Winding up your Family Trust

With recent changes in tax regulations, increased compliance obligations, and rising administrative costs, what used to be relatively simple is suddenly complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. Is it time to simplify your life and wind the damn thing up?
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In business, contracts are the backbone of agreements, ensuring clarity and accountability. But what happens when a contract isn't written down?
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Beyond Paper: the Power of Implied Agreements

In business, contracts are the backbone of agreements, ensuring clarity and accountability. But what happens when a contract isn't written down? The case of Kingsbeer Transport Ltd v Martin Brower New Zealand sheds light on this question, revealing important insights for business owners.
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Auckland Litigation Lawyers - Holding Overseas Manufacturers Accountable
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Holding Overseas Manufacturers Accountable

This article explores a legal case heard by the New Zealand Court of Appeal, specifically regarding a dispute involving the supply of a building cladding product. The case involved two building owners who initiated legal proceedings against the German-based manufacturer and New Zealand-based distributors. The building owners alleged that the product was faulty and posed risks to their buildings, leading to potential loss and expense.
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There is little doubt that the introduction of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) by the previous government has caused some issues.
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Accredited Employer Work Visa – New business issues, and the application of compliance for all

There is little doubt that the introduction of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) by the previous government has caused some issues. While the stated intention was to protect migrants from exploitation, the opposite would appear to be the outcome. The media has been filled with stories of migrants exploited, mostly by larger companies, with unscrupulous agents taking payment for jobs, and employers claiming no involvement, yet unable to comply with their obligations. All the while, migrants remain with little hope, savings often spent on a future that never arrived.
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Applying for a Protection Order

Applying for a Protection Order

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
When you apply for a Protection Order you are applying to be protected from violence and harm caused by another person to you. To qualify you must be or have been in a domestic relationship with the violent person ("the respondent"): ie have been in a close and personal relationship, are the parents of, related to through blood or marriage, etc.
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Wills

Wills

Written by:
Alissa Bell
Planning Ahead: Need to make a Will even if you don't think you do?" But I don't have any assets yet" is a common response when making a Will is suggested to twenty-somethings. There is a misconception, among young people in particular, that in order to make a Will, you should have already built up a sizeable asset base. While you may not own a home or have a large un-cracked nest egg, you will almost certainly have a number of assets to protect, including:
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More Than a Stork Drop - Adopting a Child in New Zealand

More Than a Stork Drop - Adopting a Child in New Zealand

Written by:
Alissa Bell
If you, or someone you know, are hoping to adopt a bundle of joy into the family, there is, of course, more to the process than a fly-by stork drop. The Adoption Act 1955 sets out each step to becoming an adopted child's legal guardian.
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Employment Relations Amendment Act 2018

Employment Relations Amendment Act 2018

Written by:
James Turner
Employment law can be a bit of a "political football", and with each new government one may expect changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 ("Act"). Honouring that tradition, the new Labour and NZ First Government passed the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2018 on 5 December 2018. The Amendment Act strengthens union and employee rights at the expense of employer rights, including abolishing use of the 90-day trial period by employers with 20 or more employees.
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How Much is a Promise Worth? What You Need to Know About the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949

How Much is a Promise Worth? What You Need to Know About the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
The situation seems simple. A promise is made (by the "promisor") to someone (the "promisee"), that they will be rewarded in the promisor's Will for work or services carried out. Time passes, and the (now deceased) promisor has failed to follow through on their promise, leaving no such reward (or less than what was promised) in their Will. The promisee can then claim against the deceased's estate for the remuneration that was promised to them. Such claim is made under the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949.
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Are You Getting it Right With Your Casual Employees? The Distinction Between Casual and Part-Time Employees in Practice and the Pitfalls Employers can Face When They Get it Wrong!

Are You Getting it Right With Your Casual Employees? The Distinction Between Casual and Part-Time Employees in Practice and the Pitfalls Employers can Face When They Get it Wrong!

Written by:
Craig Andrews
Casual employees are commonplace in many businesses and a useful resource that allows flexibility in meeting employers' needs. However, too many employers fail to recognise the difference between casual and permanent full and part-time employees, including the key differences in employment rights, responsibilities and entitlements. It is important that employers understand the distinction to avoid unwanted consequences.
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The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act) - It is Serious - Get Specialist Legal Advice!

The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act) - It is Serious - Get Specialist Legal Advice!

Written by:
Andrew Knight
The AML/CFT Act was extended to lawyers and conveyancers on 1 July 2018. It will be extended to accountants on 1 October 2018 and will be further extended to Real Estate Agents on 1 January 2019. We also consider many financial service providers (including in some cases of businesses offering credit contracts) may be unaware that they are required to comply with the AML/CFT Act or may not be meeting the standards required.
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Important Update in Respect of PPSR Registration

Important Update in Respect of PPSR Registration

Written by:
Andrew Knight
The Personal Property Securities Amendment Regulations 2018 will come into force on 1 October 2018 and make a number of technical amendments to the Personal property Securities Regulations 2001.
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Companies Act 1993 - ''Indoor Management''

Companies Act 1993 - ''Indoor Management''

Written by:
Andrew Knight
A recent Court of Appeal decision (Autumn Tree(1)) makes it clear that where a company enters a contract and only one director signs it:
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When is Your House the "Family Home"? / Will my House be Split 50/50?

When is Your House the "Family Home"? / Will my House be Split 50/50?

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
A special status is given to the "family home" in relationship property disputes under the relevant legislation, the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 ("the Act").
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