Insights & Articles

Interesting insights on various areas of New Zealand law for individuals and businesses alike.
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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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After a new court judgement, you must have employee incentive schemes and holiday pay calculations checked. Talk to an Auckland employment lawyer to be safe.
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Implications for Incentive Payments/Bonuses

The Employment Court decision has significant implications for employers in respect of target-based incentive payments, and holiday pay entitlements over annual closedown periods. The Labour Inspectorate and Metropolitan Glass jointly filed proceedings in the Employment Court as they were unable to agree on holiday pay calculations (Metropolitan Glass and Glazing Limited v Labour Inspector, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment [2020] NZEmpC 39).
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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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For childcare, domestic violence, separation, relationship property, adoption, IVF and family matters, under Covid talk to an Auckland or Manukau family lawyer
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How to Deal With Family, Safety and Personal Matters During Uncertain Times - What we can do to Help

The Covid-19 Delta Variant Lockdown has created uncertainty and anxiety for many and has significantly impacted family dynamics, particularly in Auckland where Alert Level 4 is still ongoing. It is important to remember that help is available and at McVeagh Fleming, we are working remotely to provide you with an array of family law services. Our team have a range of experience and can provide pragmatic advice, tailored to your personal situation.
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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 lawyers; Courts are an essential service in Covid-19 so what will be heard and how can you attend court? This article explains.
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How are the Courts Operating During the Covid-19 Lockdown?

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Right Honourable Helen Winkelmann, has assured the legal profession and members of the public that the Courts will be operational during all Covid-19 alert levels, including lockdown during alert level 4: "Courts are an essential service. New Zealand courts must continue to uphold the rule of law and to ensure that fair trial rights, the right to natural justice and rights under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act are upheld."
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Auckland Property Lawyer. Get legal advice on a House & Land Purchase Package before you sign. Call 377 9966 for a no-obligation chat.
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House and Land Package Purchase Issues

Buying a new build "House and Land" package has become a popular option for many first home buyers. It can involve a deposit lower than 20% of purchase price (depending on finance), and means you have the time it takes to build to keep saving towards the purchase of your new home.
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A court decision found the early Covid lockdown was unlawful. Businesses might be able to pursue losses for the first 9 days. Call an Auckland dispute Lawyer.
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High Court Finds Level 4 'Lockdown' Unlawful for First Nine Days, Considers Lawfulness of Non-Essential Business Closures

The High Court has found that the Government's announcement of an Alert Level 4 'Lockdown' for four weeks from 26 March 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic was unlawful and potentially unenforceable for the first nine days (Borrowdale v Director-General of Health [2020] NZHC 2090). The Court also reviewed the closure of all non-essential businesses, which is significant for business owners hoping to file civil liability claims for lost revenue during this period.
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Consumer Affairs Lawyer, Retailers Fined, Misleading Claims. Protect yourself and do not fall foul of the law. Seek advice. Call 377 9966 for a chat.
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Heavy Fines Given to Retailers for Misleading Consumers

Recent decisions of the District Court highlight the need for businesses to adhere to the Fair Trading Act 1986 ("FTA") and not mislead their customers, particularly if their customers are 'consumers' under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 ("CGA"). Both decisions involved prosecutions by the Commerce Commission against high profile retailers and resulted in substantial fines being awarded against these retailers.
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Consumer credit lawyer Auckland, Manukau. If you have hardship payments issues in Covid-19 you can apply to your lender for help. Click to see if you can apply
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Hardship - Consumer Credit Contracts Under a Covid-19 Related Lockdown

Section 55 of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 ("CCCFA") provides that a person who is unable reasonably, because of illness, injury loss of employment, the end of a relationship, or other reasonable cause, to meet their obligations under a consumer credit contract and who reasonably expects to be able to discharge their obligations if the terms of the contract were changed as provided for under the CCCFA may apply to a creditor to agree to that change. In the present Covid-19 lockdown, we expect these provisions to be tested and both debtors and creditors need to know their rights and responsibilities in these sorts of situations.
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Covid-19 brought new Health and Safety for the construction industry. Are you compiant? Call Auckland 377 9966, Manukau 262 0330, North Shore 415 4477
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Health and Safety Protocols for the Construction Industry - Covid-19 Alert Level 2

There is an important update on the health and safety requirements in the construction sector we wish to share with you if you have not yet been updated. Over the last few weeks, the situation with Covid-19 in New Zealand has noticeably improved. However, it is too soon to celebrate, and there is no room for complacency as we will still be under Covid-19 Alert Level 2, starting this Thursday 14 May 2020. It will remain critical, perhaps more than ever, for everyone in the construction industry to take all necessary steps to keep the virus under control until we are down to Alert Level 1.
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Has New Zealand Finally Been Ordered to Allow Freedom of Movement?
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Has New Zealand Finally Been Ordered to Allow Freedom of Movement?

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government issued the Covid-19 Public Health Response (Isolation and Quarantine) Order 2020 ("IQ Order") in September 2020. Most kiwis are well aware of the IQ Order, and understood it to mean that if we leave New Zealand, we will be required to self-isolate at a managed isolation facility for 14 days upon our return (until the announcement last week confirming a shortening of the managed isolation period for residents returning to NZ after 14 November 2021).
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The New Trusts Act and How it Will Affect You as a Trustee

The New Trusts Act and How it Will Affect You as a Trustee

Written by:
Brandon Cullen
As you may be aware, the Trusts Act ("Act") has received Royal Assent and will come into effect on 30 January 2021. Amongst other things the Act codifies the duties of trustees and requires greater transparency with beneficiaries. It will affect your current trust arrangements. You should consider reviewing, updating and making structural changes to your Trust if necessary, in order to future proof your Trust. The following is a summary of the key changes and how they may affect you.
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Unfair Contract Terms

Unfair Contract Terms

A recent decision in the High Court of New Zealand has provided the first instance of the Courts using the Fair Trading Act 1986 ("FTA") to declare specific terms in a standard form consumer contract unfair, and therefore unenforceable. The decision in Commerce Commission v Home Direct Limited1 was made pursuant to sections in the FTA which were introduced in 2013 and give the Commerce Commission power to apply to the District Court or High Court for a declaration that a term in a standard form consumer contract is unfair.
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Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Discussion Document - Better Protections for Contractors

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Discussion Document - Better Protections for Contractors

Written by:
Craig Andrews
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has released a discussion document late last year, inviting public consultation on an important subject affecting a large sector of New Zealand's working public: self-employed 'independent contractors', and companies and people who engage the services of such independent contractors, not just in the course of business, but even in some cases individual consumers utilising those services, for example ordinary member of the public using a 'ride sharing' platform. The deadline for members of the public to provide their feedback to MBIE expires at 5.00 pm on 14 February 2020.
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Enactment of Partnership Law Act 2019

Enactment of Partnership Law Act 2019

Written by:
Craig Andrews
The Partnership Law Bill was introduced to Parliament in May 2019 as a revision bill, subject to the revision powers set out in s 31 of the Legislation Act 2012. Therefore the 2019 Act does not make any substantive policy changes. Nevertheless, re-enactment of the 111 years old Partnership Act 1908 in contemporary language, style and format is intended to make the law more accessible, clarify Parliament's intent, and reconcile inconsistencies within the old Act.
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Update on recent amendments of the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 and recent decision of the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal

Update on recent amendments of the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 and recent decision of the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal

Written by:
Real estate agents or salespersons seeking to challenge a Complaints Assessments Committee's finding of unsatisfactory conduct need now to be aware of a shortened appeal period.
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Changes to Protection Orders From 1 July 2019

Changes to Protection Orders From 1 July 2019

Written by:
Alissa Bell
From 1 July 2019, changes are being made to all Protection Orders, including those made before this date. The Family Violence Act 2018 repeals and replaces the Domestic Violence Act 1995 and modifies the Care of Children Act 2004 as part of ongoing efforts to tackle domestic violence issues in New Zealand with the aim of providing faster, more effective protection for protected persons and increasing accountability and compliance by respondents.
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'Insuring' Your Relationship Property

'Insuring' Your Relationship Property

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
Section 21 of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 ("the Act") allows for parties to essentially 'contract out' of the Act and determine how the relationship property would be divided on the off-chance that you and your partner separate.
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Mainzeal: Reckless Trading

Mainzeal: Reckless Trading

Written by:
Andrew Knight
In Mainzeal1 the former directors were held liable for a breach of section 135 of the Act. Richard Yan, (who was the founder and main shareholder of Mainzeal's parent company, Richina Pacific) was ordered to pay compensation of $36M. Each of the other directors (Shipley, Tilby and Gomm) were held liable to contribute $6M each towards that $36M.
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Financial Advisers Must Comply With new Code of Professional Conduct From mid-2020

Financial Advisers Must Comply With new Code of Professional Conduct From mid-2020

Written by:
Andrew Knight
The Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs has released the content of a new Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services that should come into effect in mid-2020. The Code will require those persons who provide regulated financial advice to retail clients to meet certain standards of professional conduct, and will follow the commencement of the Financial Services Legislation Amendment Act 2019 ("FSLA").
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Heavy Fines Given to Retailers for Misleading Consumers

Heavy Fines Given to Retailers for Misleading Consumers

Written by:
Andrew Knight
Recent decisions of the District Court highlight the need for businesses to adhere to the Fair Trading Act 1986 ("FTA") and not mislead their customers, particularly if their customers are 'consumers' under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 ("CGA"). Both decisions involved prosecutions by the Commerce Commission against high profile retailers and resulted in substantial fines being awarded against these retailers.
Read more