Family demographics have changed significantly over the
past 60 years. To keep up, the Property (Relationships) Act
1976 (PRA) was amended in 2002 to extend the property sharing to
heterosexual and homosexual de facto and civil union
partners.
By Dharsh Nanayakkara - 26 Sep 2019
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We're proud to announce we've been named as finalists in the
2019 New Zealand Law Awards in the category of mid-size law firm of
the year. The awards celebrate outstanding law firms, in-house
counsel and dealmakers from across New Zealand. The winners will be
announced on 21 November at a gala event being held at the Cordis
Hotel.
By - 24 Sep 2019
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The role of an attorney appointed under an EPA for
property is a significant one which should be taken seriously and
should not be accepted lightly. Accepting such an appointment
creates legal obligations and duties which cannot easily be
changed. This blog seeks to provide some guidance to a person
acting as a property attorney.
By Emma Foster - 17 Sep 2019
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You've got your deposit, you've found the right property, now a
multi-page document is sitting in front of you and a real estate
agent is asking you to sign. It is imperative that you get in touch
with a lawyer before you enter into an agreement. The best chance
of you negotiating favourable terms is before you
sign. This is even more important if you are planning on buying a
property "off the plans" that has not yet been subdivided or built.
More information about buying off the plans is available in a
previous blog.
By - 10 Sep 2019
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The Employment Relations (Triangular Employment) Amendment Bill
has passed its third reading in parliament and will come into force
by at least 27 June 2020. The Bill allows for a "controlling third
party" to be joined to a personal grievance claim in the Employment
Relations Authority. This means that an individual employee can
bring a claim against both their 'official' employer and any other
controlling third party.
By Claire Mansell - 4 Sep 2019
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In 2015 the Court of Appeal told landlords they could not
recover the cost of damage caused by their residential tenants
unless it was done intentionally. This was because the Property Law
Act 2007 said that a landlord could not require a tenant to meet
the cost of damage which can be insured against. From 27
August 2019 the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 dictates the law on
this issue.
By Mathew Martin - 28 Aug 2019
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The Property (Relationships) Act 1976 determines what is
and is not "relationship property" and which assets should be
divided equally between de facto partners and spouses on
separation. It also defines "separate property" as assets owned by
one partner alone and not to be shared equally. But in a country
with the highest number of trusts per capita in the world, what
happens if your assets are held in trust?
By Telise Kelly - 18 Aug 2019
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Recent changes made to the Overseas Investment Act 2005
(Act) meant that overseas persons who
are not ordinarily resident in New Zealand will not be able to
acquire residential properties in New Zealand, unless an exemption
applies.
By Steven Lee - 13 Aug 2019
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Not all building projects run smoothly and for one reason
or another, there may be a point where building work is suspended.
Should the building project end up in that position, both parties
to the building contract have obligations and there are a number of
matters to consider.
By Pierce Bedogni - 7 Aug 2019
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On Wednesday the much anticipated Trusts Bill finally
received the Royal tick of approval and officially became an Act of
Parliament. Pursuant to section 2, the provisions of the Act will
come into force on 1 February 2021. This is probably the most
significant change to trust law in the past thirty years or
more.
By Emma Foster - 1 Aug 2019
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