Insights & Articles

Interesting insights on various areas of New Zealand law for individuals and businesses alike.
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Auckland Relationship Property Lawyer. Are you getting what is due to you under your separation agreement? Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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Are You Getting Your Fair Share of Relationship Property Upon a Break Up?

The Property (Relationships) Act 1976 ("the Act") applies to marriages, civil unions and de facto relationships. Generally under the Act, at the end of one of these relationships, the parties receive a 50:50 share of all the relationship property. This usually includes the home, family chattels, and all other property acquired during the relationship. However the Court does have the power to award a lump sum payment or order the transfer of relationship property from one party in the relationship to the other under Section 15 of the Act.
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Auckland Estate Lawyer. How can you validate a Non-Compliant will? Can you avoid probate? Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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Will That Do? - Validation of Non-Compliant Wills

Before a deceased's last will can have the legal effect of distributing property to his or her heirs accordingly to its terms, it must be admitted to probate, that is accepted by the High Court as being valid.
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Auckland Family Trust Lawyer. The new Trust Bill has disclosure rules. Are you affected? Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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The New Draft Trusts Bill and its Suggested Disclosure Rules - How Could This Affect You?

A new Trusts Bill has recently been released for public consultation. This bill updates and changes various aspects of trust law. One interesting proposed change is the rights beneficiaries have to trust information. The most recent judicial case involving beneficiaries and trust information is Erceg v Erceg [2017] NZSC 28. The Supreme Court did not find that there was a presumption for or against disclosure of trust documents, but that there is an "expectation that basic trust information will be disclosed to a close beneficiary who wants it". The Supreme Court's analysis did differ from the lower Courts. The Supreme Court listed certain factors to take into consideration when courts receive a request for disclosure.
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Auckland Debt Recovery Lawyer. What can you do about unpaid invoices? Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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Unpaid Invoices - Want to Understand Your Options

At one time or another, all businesses confront the unpleasant task of collecting outstanding fees for the services or products they have provided. When a client refuses to pay an outstanding invoice, recovering the money due may turn into a drawn-out process, even when the amount owed appears un-contentious. Engaging a solicitor to assist with the debt recovery process has the benefit of both impressing on the debtor your commitment to pursuing the debt and simplifying an otherwise frustrating process.
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Auckland Lawyer - Power Of Attorney. What do the recent changes mean for Enduring Power of Attorney? Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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Changes to Enduring Powers of Attorney

On 16 March 2017 changes to the Protection of Personal Property Rights Act 1988 come into effect. Some of these changes affect how Enduring Powers of Attorney ("EPOA") are made, and others affect how they operate. If you have any unsigned EPOAs drafted and they are not fully executed by this date, they will be invalid and will need re-drafting. EPOAs fully executed prior to 16 March 2017 remain valid. Please urgently contact us if you wish to finalise documents prior to 16 March 2017.
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Auckland , North Shore Construction Disputes Lawyer. How does the Construction Contracts Amendment Act affect your business? Call 377 9966 for a chat.
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The Construction Contracts Amendment Act 2015

The Construction Contracts Amendment Act 2015 is implementing a number of updates to the Construction Contracts Act 2002 ("the CCA"). The amendments are coming into force progressively between 1 December 2015 and 31 March 2017.
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Auckland Employment Lawyer. What does Health and Safety at Work mean for you? Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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The New Health and Safety at Work Act

Commenced on 4 April 2016, the new Health and Safety at Work Act ("the Act") replaced the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 which overhauled the way businesses and organisations must implement their health and safety policies. The HSWA also put in place a new statutory regime to enforce compliance obligations.
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Auckland Employment Lawyer. How do Zero Hour Contracts affect you? Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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Zero Hour Contracts

Issues on the “Zero Hour Contracts” for employees have been topical in the lead up to the Employment Standards Legislation Bill (“the Bill”), which is due to be passed on 1 April 2016.
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Auckland Employment Lawyer. How do Health and Safety reforms affect your business? Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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The Health and Safety Reform Bill

The enactment of the Health and Safety Reform Bill is expected to occur in April 2015. Significant changes to the workplace health and safety framework will require preparation now to ensure compliance.
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Auckland Debt Recovery Lawyer. When and how to use a Statutory Demand to get monies paid to you. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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What is a Statutory Demand and When Should I Use It?

What do you do when you are chasing a company for a debt and despite your requests, pleas, calls and curses, the company is failing or refusing to pay? The statutory demand process may be suitable in such circumstances.
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Auckland Commercial Lawyer. To maximise the sale value of your business, consider these issue first. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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Know Your Business - Things You Should Think About Before the Sale

When it comes to a business sale you need to "know your business". It is far too easy for assumptions to be made that are not incorporated in thesale agreement itself. In this article, we comment briefly on some of the things you should think about before seeing an agent or putting pento paper.
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Matters To Consider Before You Sign An Agreement To Lease

Matters To Consider Before You Sign An Agreement To Lease

Written by:
Brandon Cullen
The leasing market is ever changing. Many would argue the current economy to favour tenants – there are a myriad of vacant properties currently available,and a definite lack of (quality) prospective tenants available. Many tenants are looking to down size, if not liquidate, leaving landlords ("LLs")in the unenviable position of being forced to consider short term and stop gap solutions for their own cash flow purposes. Enter the commercialreal estate agent, armed with an agreement to lease ("ATL") .... but beware, both LL and tenant, once signed the ATL will legally bind you tothe terms specified and your lawyer will be unlikely to be able to re negotiate your lease. It is important – if not critical – therefore, thatboth sides fully consider the ATL in detail before signing such. A few key considerations are as follows:
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Purchasing An Interest In A Retirement Village: What You Need To Know

Purchasing An Interest In A Retirement Village: What You Need To Know

Written by:
Andrew Knight
Purchasing an interest in a retirement village is not like purchasing a residential property. There is an ongoing relationship between the village operator and the resident which is governed by the terms and conditions set out in what is called an "Occupation Right Agreement".
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International Alliance Of Law Firms

International Alliance Of Law Firms

Written by:
Andrew Knight
McVeagh Fleming is a member of a global network of highly respected law firms called Ally Law (formerly the International Alliance of Law Firms. When our clients need legal assistance outside of our jurisdiction, we refer and work closely with other Ally Law firms to ensure that our clients receive the best legal advice and service possible. Ally Law has firms in most of the major financial centres of the world. If you would like to learn more about Ally Law please contact John Woolley or view the Ally Law website at www.ally-law.com.
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Dispelling Some Of The Myths About Property Division On Separation

Dispelling Some Of The Myths About Property Division On Separation

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
Most people who have been through a separation would agree that it is a difficult and stressful time. This can be exacerbated when there is confusion or misunderstanding about what property is classed as relationship property and what property is classed as separate property. The Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (“the Act”) provides a code for how property is to be divided on separation for couples who are married, in a civil union partnership or de facto/same sex relationship.
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Outdated easements vs modern land use

Outdated easements vs modern land use

Written by:
George Steyn
For property developers, investors, and landowners in New Zealand, old easements or covenants can be more than just lines on a title - they can be roadblocks to progress. Recent court decisions under the Property Law Act 2007 are reshaping how and when these changes can be made, making it essential to understand the rules before you buy, build, or plan your next project.
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Setting Aside a Statutory Demand: Get Service Right or Face the Consequences

Setting Aside a Statutory Demand: Get Service Right or Face the Consequences

They say you shouldn’t break up with your boyfriend or girlfriend via text…but why not? In the case of Templeton UQ Limited v Watts & Hughes Limited, Templeton's application was served via email, a method not permitted under the Companies Act 1993. As a result, the application was struck out, demonstrating the critical importance of following prescribed service methods. These are both examples of when you fail to communicate appropriately, things don’t go well!
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Newsletter: April 2024

Newsletter: April 2024

Written by:
McVeagh Fleming Newsletter: April 2024. Curated information and articles from the recent past.
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Empowering Survivors: Understanding Legal Dynamics in Abusive Relationships

Empowering Survivors: Understanding Legal Dynamics in Abusive Relationships

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Navigating land subdivision: Early legal expertise to avoid unwanted stress, complexity, and cost

Navigating land subdivision: Early legal expertise to avoid unwanted stress, complexity, and cost

In the realm of subdivisions, early legal consultation can be a game-changer. This article delves into the critical importance of involving a lawyer from the get-go.
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