Blog

Relationship property and the Trusts Act 2019

Tara Grant and Telise Kelly recently presented a paper titled The Trusts Act 2019 - through a Relationship Property Lens (via video due to Covid restrictions) for the 2021 Family Law Conference held in Wellington. Tara and Telise provided a practical road-map for trustees and beneficiaries wanting to ensure a trust is properly being administered for the benefit of all beneficiaries. Tara's focus being on trustee duties and disclosure obligations in the event of separation and Telise providing specialist analysis as to how the Family Court may help if trustees "don't play ball".

By Tara Grant - 1 Dec 2021

Changes to the Property Law Act 2007 following the enactment of the COVID-19 Response (Management Measures) Legislation Act 2021

The COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Bill obtained Royal assent on 2 November 2021 and the COVID-19 Response (Management Measures) Legislation Act 2021 (Act) is now in force.

The Act makes amendments to various matters arising from the Covid-19 Pandemic, however the purpose of this summary is to discuss the changes relating to the Property Law Act 2007 (PLA).

By Vanessa Dew and Andrea White - 7 Nov 2021

Jacque Lethbridge named as next President of the New Zealand Law Society

We are delighted to announce that Jacque has today been elected as the next President of the New Zealand Law Society.

By Mike Worsnop - 15 Oct 2021

Covid-19 Response Legislation Bill: Impacts for Commercial Leases

Both landlords and tenants were surprised by the Government's sudden announcement that it had introduced changes to help ease the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on both commercial and residential tenancies, to take effect from 28 September 2021. The changes to commercial tenancies had been foreshadowed last year but did not become law.

By Andrea White - 30 Sep 2021

Gender Identification in the Legal System

As society becomes more inclusive and recognises our transgender, non-binary, takatāpui and inter-sex couples, our laws must evolve to do the same.

By Dharsh Nanayakkara - 17 Sep 2021

Vaccination roll-out for children: hurdles under the Care of Children Act

With today's announcement that the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine has been approved for children aged 12 to 15 years, many parents will now be considering whether to vaccinate their children. But what happens when two parents (who are legal guardians of their children) can't agree on this critical issue?

By Telise Kelly - 19 Aug 2021

Payment of Wages during Lockdown

As we start our first day of lockdown, many employers will be wondering whether or not they need to pay employees who cannot work during lockdown. Last lockdown there was no clear authority on this point, however the Employment Court decision, Gate Gourmet New Zealand Limited v Sandhu clarifies the situation somewhat.

By Claire Mansell - 17 Aug 2021

Your options when it comes to enforcing Child Support payments

You thought it was sorted. You had visited Inland Revenue's website and completed a 'formula assessment'. Money was being paid for the children and now - suddenly - those payments have stopped.

By Terri Gough - 15 Aug 2021

Thinking of on-selling your property?

If you are a property trader in the business of buying and selling properties (or aspiring to be a property trader), or if you've bought a property and your circumstances have changed, then there are a number of things you can do to lower your risks.

By Eesha Karamchandani - 31 Jul 2021

Jacque Lethbridge named as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers for 2021

Martelli McKegg congratulates our Partner and Head of Litigation, Jacque Lethbridge, for being announced as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers for 2021 by NZ Lawyer in the Changemaker category.

By Melissa Higham - 23 Jun 2021