Blog

Can employees claim unjustified disadvantage arising out of their employer’s decision not to pay them?

No, held the Employment Court in the case of Breen and Prime Resources Company Limited, [1] because the company's actions were based solely on a genuine interpretation of a clause in the employment agreement.

By Kathryn McKinney - 18 Mar 2024

Recent Employment Relations Authority determination on how employers navigate workplace bullying complaints

Mr Green raised bullying complaints about a fellow employee (A), which KiwiRail advised would be investigated. Mr Green was initially invited to attend a meeting with A at which he said he felt uncomfortable and pressured into shaking hands with A.

By Kathryn McKinney - 31 Oct 2023

Defaulting Tenants - practical steps to take when reminders go unanswered

In the current climate we are seeing more of our landlord clients seeking advice on their options for dealing with defaulting tenants.  In the article below, Andrea White (a Senior Associate in our Property Team) and Parsha Grant (Senior Solicitor in our Litigation Team) discuss your best course of action when your usual reminder emails and phone calls have gone unanswered.

By Andrea White - 16 Oct 2023

Martelli McKegg’s Cross-Border Legal Exchange: Strengthening Connections with the Meritas network

Martelli McKegg recently participated in a two week exchange programme organised by Meritas. The exchange programme is designed to provide lawyers the opportunity to work in a different country and firm and also builds on the connections in the Meritas network.

By Mike Worsnop - 20 Sep 2023

Can I be held personally liable for my company’s employment law breaches?

Don't be fooled - you may not always be able to rely on the protections of a limited liability company for employment law breaches. If you are the director of a company or a person who holds significant influence over the management or administration of a company (such as a person in senior leadership), you could be held personally liable in the following circumstances.

By Saleha Hamid-Drew - 24 Jul 2023

Angus Rogers retires

Angus Rogers retires as a lawyer on 24 December this year after working in legal offices for over 50 years. So much has changed in that time.

By Melissa Higham - 22 Dec 2021

Changes to the Property Law Act 2007 following the enactment of the COVID-19 Response (Management Measures) Legislation Act 2021

The COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Bill obtained Royal assent on 2 November 2021 and the COVID-19 Response (Management Measures) Legislation Act 2021 (Act) is now in force.

The Act makes amendments to various matters arising from the Covid-19 Pandemic, however the purpose of this summary is to discuss the changes relating to the Property Law Act 2007 (PLA).

By Vanessa Dew and Andrea White - 7 Nov 2021

Jacque Lethbridge named as next President of the New Zealand Law Society

We are delighted to announce that Jacque has today been elected as the next President of the New Zealand Law Society.

By Mike Worsnop - 15 Oct 2021

Covid-19 Response Legislation Bill: Impacts for Commercial Leases

Both landlords and tenants were surprised by the Government's sudden announcement that it had introduced changes to help ease the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on both commercial and residential tenancies, to take effect from 28 September 2021. The changes to commercial tenancies had been foreshadowed last year but did not become law.

By Andrea White - 30 Sep 2021

Payment of Wages during Lockdown

As we start our first day of lockdown, many employers will be wondering whether or not they need to pay employees who cannot work during lockdown. Last lockdown there was no clear authority on this point, however the Employment Court decision, Gate Gourmet New Zealand Limited v Sandhu clarifies the situation somewhat.

By Claire Mansell - 17 Aug 2021