New Zealand entered alert level 2 at 11.59 pm last night
and with that change, most businesses will be able to open their
doors to customers for the first time in six weeks. Schools are
also set to welcome back students as of Monday 18 May. While
the relaxation of restrictions are welcome, we are not entirely out
of the woods yet. Businesses and schools will have strict health
and safety management plans in place to reduce the potential spread
of COVID-19. For some people, this will mean they cannot attend
work/school if they are unwell, or until they have been tested and
cleared for the virus.
By Aimee Elia - 14 May 2020
read article 
With the prospect of transitioning to
level 2 on the horizon, many people will now be contemplating
returning to work albeit under somewhat changed circumstances.
Naturally, there will be some concerns around risk management of
the COVID-19 virus when employees are engaging with members of the
public and fellow employees.
By Aimee Elia - 11 May 2020
read article 90x120.jpg)
On Friday, 1 May 2020, the Government announced changes to the
operation of the Business Finance Guarantee Scheme (BFGS). As
readers might recall, the BFGS was introduced as part of its
initial economic approach to the COVID-19 response. The specific
change announced was that it would no longer be a Government
requirement that a bank which was making a loan of more than
$50,000 under the scheme would have to take security against the
debtor's default by way of a General Security Agreement (security
over all of the assets of a debtor in the event of a loan default)
- although a bank is still entitled to ask for security if it
wishes to do so.
By Bill Gambrill - 6 May 2020
read article 
We are delighted to announce that Tim Orr has joined the
partnership.
By Melissa Higham - 4 May 2020
read article 
Martelli McKegg would like to congratulate Jacque
Lethbridge, Partner in Litigation for being elected to the Board of
the New Zealand Law Society as the Vice-President for
Auckland.
By Mike Worsnop - 23 Apr 2020
read article 
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
read article 
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
read article 
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
read article 90x120.jpg)
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
read article 
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
read article