Insights & Articles

Interesting insights on various areas of New Zealand law for individuals and businesses alike.
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Uber Loses Landmark Appeal: New Zealand Court Rules Uber Drivers Are Employees. When contractors are actually employees – The Uber case and its implications.
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When contractors are actually employees – The Uber case and its implications

When engaging people as contractors, it's not just the contract label that matters — how the working relationship functions in practice is key. If a contractor is treated like an employee, with significant control exerted over their work and integration into the business, the contractor will 'at law' likely be an employee, and getting this classification wrong can be and often is expensive. Understanding and correctly applying the criteria is essential to avoid legal and financial repercussions.
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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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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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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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