Insights & Articles

Interesting insights on various areas of New Zealand law for individuals and businesses alike.
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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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Construction contract disputes
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Construction contract disputes

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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After separation, one partner may need financial support while they transition to becoming financially independent.
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Can bad behaviour cost you during divorce or separation?

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. The march of technology means almost anyone can create deepfakes, often
in a matter of minutes.
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Legislative gap leaves New Zealand exposed to deepfakes

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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Medical incapacity of an employee

Medical incapacity of an employee

Medical incapacity of an employee is a challenge that demands a delicate balance between empathy and practicality. Determining when to draw the line on a long-term illness and how long to keep a job open for a sick employee is a challenging task shaped by case law intricacies. Employers are not expected to hold a position indefinitely but they must follow a fair process before terminating an employee’s employment.
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The importance of Prenuptial Agreements has increased

The importance of Prenuptial Agreements has increased

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
Protecting assets has become an integral aspect of modern relationships, with the growing importance of prenuptial agreements for safeguarding individual interests. In June 2023, the New Zealand Supreme Court issued a significant ruling in the case of Sutton v Bell, which centered on Sections 44 and 26 of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 ("PRA"). This decision marks a pivotal shift in the interpretation of key legal provisions governing property rights in relationships.
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Buyer Beware: The Limitations of Agent-Provided LIMs

Buyer Beware: The Limitations of Agent-Provided LIMs

Obtaining a LIM is a crucial step for prospective property buyers, but with the cost of a LIM being around $400 and with many real estate agents offering LIMs at no cost, it can be tempting to rely on their convenient provision. However, it's crucial to be aware of the potential limitations that may come with an agent-provided LIM.
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Family Business & Succession Wars!

Family Business & Succession Wars!

Written by:
Taufil Omar
Succession, once a straightforward process, is now akin to navigating a minefield. With children seeking to cash in on their beneficial interests or shareholdings to fuel their own ventures, the need for careful consideration and expert advice has never been greater.
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The Impact of the Upcoming Election on Employment Law in New Zealand

The Impact of the Upcoming Election on Employment Law in New Zealand

Written by:
Melissa Johnston
& Gus Hardie Boys
We are fast approaching New Zealand's General Election, and the nation's political parties have hit the campaign trail with their visions for the country. Changes are expected not only in the political sphere but also in employment and workplace relations. This article discusses the political parties' campaign promises and provides an overview of some of the parties' plans for the future, with a note that the list is not exhaustive
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Insurance when buying a home

Insurance when buying a home

Written by:
Taufil Omar
The significance of insurance in the context of purchasing a home cannot be overstated. It is not only a critical component but also a mandatory one when seeking financial assistance from lenders for a home purchase. Lenders need proof of adequate and appropriate insurance coverage before approving a loan drawdown.
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How may relationship property be divided when a spouse or partner dies?

How may relationship property be divided when a spouse or partner dies?

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
Brydie Sherlaw-McGowan
The death of a spouse or partner is an emotional and challenging time for the one left behind. Often left with the overwhelming task of handling the Deceased's estate, the surviving spouse or partner will be unaware of their entitlement under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the "PRA"). Many will opt to taking under the Will, not knowing they also have the alternative option of applying under the PRA for a division of relationship property.
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Proposed Changes to KiwiSaver Contributions: What Employers Need to Know

Proposed Changes to KiwiSaver Contributions: What Employers Need to Know

Written by:
Melissa Johnston
Is your company deducting the Employer KiwiSaver contribution from your employees' pay? A new Bill, introduced to Parliament on 8 June 2023, aims to revolutionize the employer's role in KiwiSaver contributions.
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The Exercise of Contractual Discretion

The Exercise of Contractual Discretion

Woolley v Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd: The Exercise of Contractual Discretion‍On 29 June 2023, the New Zealand Court of Appeal delivered its judgment in the case of Woolley v Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd [2023] NZCA 266. In its judgment, the Court considered the approach to the exercise of contractual discretion in New Zealand, including the test adopted by the United Kingdom Supreme Court in Braganza v BP Shipping Ltd [2015] UKSC 17, [2015] 1 WLR 1661. A summary of the key facts of the matter and important points in the Court's decision follow.
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Testamentary Capacity

Testamentary Capacity

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
Niamh Forgie
When constructing a Will a will-maker has the freedom to decide how they wish to distribute their property upon their death, this is known as testamentary freedom. However, this freedom is not absolute. In certain circumstances, such as when a will-maker is said to have lacked capacity when they last made or altered their Will, a Will can be challenged and possibly be declared as invalid.
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