Insights & Articles

Interesting insights on various areas of New Zealand law for individuals and businesses alike.
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Auckland Data Protection Lawyer. How does the EU GDPR affect NZ businesses? Advice with compliance. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat
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GDPR Compliance for New Zealand Businesses

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on 25 May 2018. Even though this is a European Union regulation, it potentially has significant implications for New Zealand businesses. Technology has enabled New Zealand businesses to operate on a truly global scale and businesses collect, process and use data from all corners of the world.
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Auckland Intellectual Property Lawyer. IT can be easy to replicate so you need to protect your IP. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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If Technology is Your Business, Protect It

Many modern businesses consist primarily of technology in the form of intellectual property. Although they may own physical assets and employ staff (though they are more likely to be engaged as contractors) the real value in the business sits almost wholly in the intellectual property developed.
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Auckland Employment Lawyer. Is your busines compliant with Employment Agreements? Will you incur a $1,000 infringement?. Call 377 9966 to find out
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From 6 May 2019 Infringement Offence For Employers Not to Have Individual Employment Agreements Recorded in Writing

From 6 May 2019 employers who have failed to record their individual employment agreements in writing will be liable for an infringement offence under the Employment Relations (Infringement Offences) Regulations 2019.
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Auckland Domestic Violence Lawyer. Legal protection in the workplace for victims. Your rights. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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Domestic Violence - Victims' Protection Act 2018 - Rights and Obligations

The Domestic Violence - Victims' Protection Act will come into effect on 1 April 2019. The legislation aims to enhance legal protections in the workplace for people affected by domestic violence by helping victims to stay employed and addressing discrimination stemming from domestic violence in the workplace. The Act brings a normally private matter into the working domain.
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Auckland Domestic Violence Lawyer. Help with applying for a Protection Order. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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Applying for a Protection Order

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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Auckland, North Shore Estate Lawyer. Make a will at any age, even if you don't think you need one. It can save problems later. Call 377 9966 for a chat.
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Wills

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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Auckland Child Adoption Lawyer. Can you adopt? What is the process? Some Guidelines. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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More Than a Stork Drop - Adopting a Child in New Zealand

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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Auckland Employment Lawyer, Employment Relations Act Changes. What are your obligations as an employer? Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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Employment Relations Amendment Act 2018

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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Auckland Estate Lawyer. Promises made prior to death can be enforced under certain conditions. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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How Much is a Promise Worth? What You Need to Know About the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949

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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Auckland Employment Lawyer, Casual Or Part-Time Employees. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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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!

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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Auckland Anti-Money Laundering Lawyer. This is a complex issue. Be safe. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act) - It is Serious - Get Specialist Legal Advice!

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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Auckland Debt Recovery Lawyer. A change in PPSR registration might affect you. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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Important Update in Respect of PPSR Registration

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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Restructures

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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Exceptions to equal sharing of relationship property

Exceptions to equal sharing of relationship property

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
Niamh Forgie
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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Winding up your Family Trust

Winding up your Family Trust

Written by:
Brandon Cullen
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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Beyond Paper: the Power of Implied Agreements

Beyond Paper: the Power of Implied Agreements

Written by:
Fulton Ryan
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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Holding Overseas Manufacturers Accountable

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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Accredited Employer Work Visa – New business issues, and the application of compliance for all

Accredited Employer Work Visa – New business issues, and the application of compliance for all

Written by:
Arran Hunt
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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Construction contract disputes

Construction contract disputes

Written by:
Fulton Ryan
This article provides a practical example of the complexities involved in construction-related legal matters, such as payment disputes, contract interpretation, and the importance of adhering to legal requirements in construction contracts.
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Can bad behaviour cost you during divorce or separation?

Can bad behaviour cost you during divorce or separation?

Written by:
Julia Warrington
When sorting out the monetary side of separation, the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 ("the Act") sets out how property is to be divided for relationships that qualify. It generally aims to divide property (the assets and liabilities including houses, cars, superannuation, mortgage loans etc.) in a way that is “fair”. This means the starting point is that property is divided equally. However, there are some exceptions.
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Legislative gap leaves New Zealand exposed to deepfakes

Legislative gap leaves New Zealand exposed to deepfakes

Written by:
Diana Clement
Legislative gap leaves New Zealand exposed to deepfakes. The march of technology means almost anyone can create deepfakes, often in a matter of minutes.
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Maintenance after the end of a relationship

Maintenance after the end of a relationship

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
Niamh Forgie
After separation, one partner may need financial support while they transition to becoming financially independent. Spousal maintenance is separate from child support payments as its focus is on supporting an adult party rather than supporting any children. If a party has made an application for spousal maintenance, they can apply to receive interim maintenance urgently from the other party, to assist them financially in the interim while the final spousal maintenance proceedings are being settled.
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