Property owners and builders alike will have welcomed the
Government announcement this week that the country will move to
Alert Level 3 on 28 April, meaning that most on-site construction
work can begin again from that date. The initial joy (and relief)
of this news, however, will be quickly tempered by the realisation
that it is not going to be business as usual for some time
yet.
By Meika McHardy - 22 Apr 2020
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The law has long required that wills be signed by the
will-maker in the presence of two witnesses. The Covid-19 lockdown
and mandatory distancing rules has prevented some wills from being
signed this way, especially where people live alone or with only
one other adult.
By Andrew Steele - 21 Apr 2020
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The Covid-19 lockdown and mandatory distancing rules prevented
affidavits and declarations from being signed 'in person' or before
a solicitor.
By Andrew Steele and Jacque Lethbridge - 20 Apr 2020
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The Government has announced that most, but not all,
businesses can start to open when we shift to Alert Level 3. The
businesses that do open must take health measures to keep their
workers safe and workers must work from home if they can.
Retail and hospitality businesses can only open for delivery and
contactless pre-ordered pick up. Businesses cannot offer services
which involve face to face contact or sustained close contact (e.g.
hair-dressing).
By Andrew Skinner - 17 Apr 2020
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On Friday, 3 April 2020, the Government announced
significant insolvency law changes in response to the likely
economic impact of COVID-19 and the current lockdown (https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/further-measures-support-businesses
). The Government will amend the Companies Act 1993 to
provide additional comfort to directors of companies during the
next six months, and will also introduce "Covid-19 Business Debt
Hibernation" as an option to help businesses survive the
deterioration in the business environment (https://www.companiesoffice.govt.nz/about-us/what-we-do/insolvency-relief-for-businesses-impacted-by-covid-19/
). Parliament will have to pass legislation to give effect to
the proposed changes, although the proposed legislation has not
been made public.
By Jacque Lethbridge and Bill Gambrill - 5 Apr 2020
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It has been five days since New Zealand went into lockdown
in response to the Covid19 Pandemic, and separated parents sharing
care of their children have faced the unprecedented and daunting
issue of who the children will reside with during
lockdown.
By Dharsh Nanayakkara - 30 Mar 2020
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The Martelli McKegg team are pleased to announce that Bill Gambrill
joined the litigation team in early 2020. Bill brings a wealth of
experience in insolvency, banking and financing advice and
litigation, having practised in one of New Zealand's largest law
firms, before heading to Dubai in 2005. In Dubai, Bill's commercial
litigation practice included insolvency, conflict of laws,
financial services, real estate disputes, construction and
employment. Bill is working closely with Jacque Lethbridge focusing
on restructuring and insolvency, and general commercial litigation
and advice, which will be critical areas of legal practice over the
coming months.
By Jacque Lethbridge - 26 Mar 2020
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With the nation now in lock-down phase as a result of the
Covid-19 crisis, many employers are considering how they can look
after their businesses as well as their employees. For some,
government subsidies will allow a degree of continuity in staffing
whilst others will need to make changes that will adversely affect
their employees. We touch upon some key topics below.
By Claire Mansell - 25 Mar 2020
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As COVID-19 continues to sweep across the globe, many
employers are contemplating the potential effects on their
businesses, not just from a down-turn in trade but the very real
possibility that they may end up with multiple staff absences over
an extended length of time. Below we answer some of the common
questions our employer clients are asking.
By Claire Mansell - 16 Mar 2020
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Martelli McKegg is pleased to
announce that we have become an Affiliate Member of the Franchise
Association of New Zealand (FANZ).
By Andrew Skinner - 9 Mar 2020
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