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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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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Earthquake-prone buildings: Are you on shaky ground?

Earthquake-prone buildings: Are you on shaky ground?

Written by:
Hamish Coupe
The introduction of the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016 introduced major changes to how earthquake-prone buildings are identified and managed under the Building Act 2004. If you are looking to lease or buy then investigate if the new rules might impact the property you are looking at. If the property does fall under the new rules, then you need to make yourself aware of how this could impact a lease or your investment.
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Selling a business (pet treats) and the consequences of misrepresentation

Selling a business (pet treats) and the consequences of misrepresentation

Written by:
James Turner
Selling a business requires owners and agents to highlight the appealing aspects of the business to attract potential buyers. Emphasising the positives is important, but when information veers into misleading territory, it can lead to significant issues.
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A large compensation payment for bullying

A large compensation payment for bullying

The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) recently issued a noteworthy determination, in which a significant amount of compensation was awarded in favour of an employee who had endured severe bullying in the workplace. This case has the potential to establish a precedent, paving the way for comparable compensation awards to be made in cases involving moderate to severe breaches of employment law by employers.
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Boat purchase 101 - Technical due diligence

Boat purchase 101 - Technical due diligence

Written by:
Forrester Grant
The importance of due diligence cannot be overstated; a little bit of time and money spent prior to purchasing a boat should (but not always) save a lot of time, frustration, and money if the boat turns out to be other than advertised. Also, it occasionally uncovers issues that even the owner was unaware of.
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Will woes and family drama: will drafting, executor responsibilities, and balancing family relationships

Will woes and family drama: will drafting, executor responsibilities, and balancing family relationships

Written by:
Taufil Omar
In the intricate landscape of estate planning and the execution of wills, the selection of legally appointed executors and trustees is critical. We explore an example case, which is a real eye-opener on the wild ride of wills, family dynamics, and the not-so-simple task of divvying up the goods.
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Legal Landscapes Post-COVID: Navigating Global Challenges for Businesses

Legal Landscapes Post-COVID: Navigating Global Challenges for Businesses

As the world grapples with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses face a myriad of legal challenges. From the financial strain on corporations to the nuances of insurance claims and employment law intricacies, the landscape is evolving. This article explores the potential areas of litigation that have emerged globally, shedding light on crucial aspects for businesses to consider.
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Enforcing a Nikah (an Islamic marriage contract)

Enforcing a Nikah (an Islamic marriage contract)

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
Rosanna Wu and Amber Holdaway
If you and your partner intend to enter into a nikah, it is important to consult with a lawyer to advise you of the possible effects and implications of that agreement and your property rights should you and your partner separate. If you and your partner have already separated and you have entered into a nikah, a lawyer can also advise you on what that means for your relationship property entitlements.
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Ensure your employment agreements are up to date

Ensure your employment agreements are up to date

Written by:
Melissa Johnston
The Holidays Act 2003 specifically provides for annual 'customary' closedowns. There are a few rules you need to be aware of. We have set out some scenarios, and answered the most commonly asked questions.
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Empowering passengers: Exploring consumer rights regarding late departures in transportation services

Empowering passengers: Exploring consumer rights regarding late departures in transportation services

In an age where time is of the essence and personal schedules are tightly packed, the reliability of transportation services is paramount. Late departures by trains, buses, flights, and other means of transportation have become a common concern for consumers around the world. The rights of consumers when faced with tardy departures are not to be taken lightly.
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