It is common practice for directors to operate a company
without paying adequate attention to keeping proper accounting
records. But did you know directors of those companies could be
held personally liable?
By Alden Ho - 13 Apr 2018
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The number of people divorcing aged
50+ is on the increase. These couples are sometimes referred to as
'Silver Splitters'. Life really can begin again at this age, where
you meet someone new and settle down once again. Life may be
wonderful during the honeymoon period and the thought that another
relationship might fail often never enters your mind. Discussions
around money and assets can be seen as unromantic and even
offensive!
By Surendra Bennett - 5 Apr 2018
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In light of the recent sexual harassment scandals coming
out of Hollywood (and closer to home), many people are wondering
whether old fashioned office romances are a thing of the past.
Given that one in five people meet their partner at work, this
could be bad news for singletons.
By Claire Mansell - 3 Apr 2018 - 2 comments
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In a recent decision, the High Court has confirmed that
liquidators can successfully apply for an increase in their hourly
rates from rates that were approved by the Court at the
commencement of the liquidation. In this instance, the original
rates were in a range between $110 to $450 (plus GST). The Court
approved future rates that could be between $140 and $550 (plus
GST).
By Tony Johnson - 22 Mar 2018
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In most cases in litigation, the losing party contributes to the
winning party's costs. The Court awards those costs based on a
'scale' (scale costs). In theory, scale costs are meant to reflect
a reasonable contribution to the actual costs incurred, which is
approximately two-thirds of a party's costs.
By Pierce Bedogni - 15 Mar 2018
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Not every separation requires a lawyer, especially if you and
your partner are amicable and can resolve things between
yourselves. However, if there are disagreements, a lawyer can help
with practical solutions. We can tell you the steps and timeframes
required during the process and let you know likely outcomes based
on previous case law.
By Surendra Bennett - 15 Jan 2018
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The government is to introduce a ban on foreign buyers from
buying existing dwellings. What could this mean for developers?
By Steven Lee - 14 Dec 2017
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With the new Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 coming into
force on 1 September now is the perfect time to review your
business contracts.
By Tom Swindells - 18 Sep 2017
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While the 'parent settlors' of a family trust are alive
and have their mental capacity, the issue of monitoring what the
trust is doing is not an issue. But once the parents die or lose
capacity and the administration of the trust transfers to the
'professional trustees', it often becomes the task of the children
to ensure that the trustees act reasonably, competently and are
held to account for their decisions. But how?
By Andrew Steele - 8 Sep 2017
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There are several hundred thousand family trusts in New
Zealand. These often hold the financial 'nest egg' of aging
settlors concerned ultimately to protect their assets during their
lifetime and ultimately to benefit their children. While the
'parent settlors' are fit and healthy, the terms of trust usually
ensure the trust assets are under their supervision and are often
the trustees. The 'independent trustee', where present, is often
relegated to a relatively benign role of simply reviewing and
approving their co-trustees preferred course of action with regards
to investment and distributions. From the settlor's children's
perspective that's fine - after all - they often don't understand
the distinction between assets that have been transferred into a
trust and the parent's personal property.
By Andrew Steele and Timothy Orr - 30 Aug 2017
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