Historically, trusts have been an extremely popular asset
planning tool in New Zealand. With no register of trusts, the
exact number of trusts is unknown, however, conservative estimates
are that there are between 300,000 and 500,000 trusts in New
Zealand. The changes proposed by the Trusts Bill will
therefore impact the lives of many New Zealanders.
By Emma Foster - 22 Jan 2019
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Have you ever been put off trying to recover a debt
because of the legal costs involved? The payment claims and payment
schedules regime under the Construction Contracts Act
(CCA) may just have the answer for
you.
By Geoff Hardy - 20 Jan 2019
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When a family member (usually the parent) becomes elderly and/or
their health or mental capacity begins to fail, it is not uncommon
for one person (usually one of their children) to 'step-up' and
provide the care and assistance ('services') necessary for that
parent. To provide such services, some children even invite their
parent into or near to their home when the parent can no longer
'live independently'.
By Andrew Steele - 13 Dec 2018
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Since 2009 all employers have been free to agree 90 day
trial periods for new employees. This allowed those employers to
'try and see' a new employee and, if things did not work, they
could dismiss them. The trial period clause precluded the employee
from bringing a personal grievance in respect of the
dismissal.
By Andrew Steele - 6 Dec 2018
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We've all seen the latest craze to hit our streets, the
black and green Lime electric scooters. Whether you're for or
against them zooming along our footpaths, cycle lanes and streets
you may have wondered: can you be charged for riding one of these
scooters while under the influence of alcohol? Perhaps especially
relevant as we head into the merry season! And the answer is
...
By Fiona McGeorge - 29 Nov 2018
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The Privacy Act ( PA)
governs the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.
This might be retailers collecting email addresses for newsletters,
sign ups for loyalty cards or landlords collecting information from
prospective tenants. The list goes on. Everyone, including those in
business, is captured by the PA and what this means is that they
are all subject to the rules under the PA on how to store, use and
give access to this information.
By Geoff Hardy - 22 Nov 2018
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In April 2018 Meika McHardy of our firm posted a blog on
what you need to know about asbestos and home renovation. She
pointed out that asbestos is now the single biggest cause of death
from work-related disease, and that on 4 April 2018 the new
regulations governing asbestos came fully into effect. What
is probably not fully appreciated is how widespread the use of
asbestos was during the period from 1940 to 2000.
By Geoff Hardy - 16 Nov 2018
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Under the amended Overseas Investment Act
(Amended OIA), which
took effect from 22 October 2018, any transaction involving the
sale and purchase of residential property by an overseas person is
subject to consent from the Overseas Investment Office
(OIO) unless an exemption
applies.
By Steven Lee - 13 Nov 2018
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The Law Commission has just published its report about
suggested changes to the Property (Relationships) Act
1976.
By Surendra Bennett - 12 Nov 2018
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Since the new government came into power 12 months ago,
Unions have been particularly active. Nurses, teachers and court
staff have all taken strike action this year.
By Claire Mansell - 1 Nov 2018
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