Blog

Want to drug test your employees? What you need to know first

Employers are becoming increasingly aware of the risk that drug-taking poses to a workplace. However, employers should tread carefully when deciding to drug test employees. The employers in the recent case A v N learned this lesson the hard way.

By Claire Mansell - 10 Oct 2019

Modern families and changing laws

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

Changes to employment laws widening the scope for personal grievances

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

Tenancy reforms: Who pays if the tenant damages your property?

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

We're separating and our assets are all in trust. Does that mean I get nothing?

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

Issues to be considered when work is suspended on a building project

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

Banks and Disclaimers and the Little Guy

Do you feel that the law always seems to favour the Banks (the big guys) against the little guy? In Court, the Banks are always well funded and have technical arguments readily available to them. All, however, is not lost. The recent Court of Appeal decision in Bushline Trustees struck a blow for the little guy.

By Tony Johnson - 9 Jul 2019

Employee? Contractor? Why does it matter?

Sometimes the distinction between an employee and an independent contractor is unclear. In the eyes of the law however, the difference is profound.

By Terri Gough - 21 Jun 2019

Protecting your company from IP theft by employees

Employees are said to be a business's greatest asset, but they can also be its biggest threat. With the rise of the digital workplace, it's easier than ever for departing employees to steal intellectual property and confidential information.

By Claire Mansell - 13 Jun 2019

A speedy and cost efficient road to justice

A complaint of the court system is that justice comes too slowly and at too great a cost. Is there a way to obtain a relatively speedy judgment at a reduced cost? For some claims - the answer is 'yes' and the way to achieve it is to issue summary judgment proceedings.

By Andrew Steele - 10 Jun 2019