Blog

Insights from the Relationship Property Survey 2021

The Family Law section of the New Zealand Law Society, in conjunction with Grant Thornton, recently released the New Zealand Relationship Property Survey of 2021.

By Tara Grant - 21 Mar 2022

Overseas Investment Act - restrictions affecting non-complying foreigners

The Overseas Investment Act ( OIA) modifications removed the ability for most foreigners to own New Zealand residential land. The changes impact any interest in residential land acquired from 22 October 2018 onwards. Although there are a few exemptions from the new restrictions, they are limited. Several years later and we still see misunderstanding about the OIA restrictions.

By Lee Harris - 22 Feb 2022

I’m trying to sell but someone’s lodged a caveat on my property!

Caveats are a useful tool for protecting your interest in a property. Once you register a caveat on a property, it prevents the property owner from selling and notifies the public that there is another interest in the land.

By Kiren Narayan - 17 Feb 2022

What are Sunset clauses and how do they work?

Sunset clauses are conditions included in agreements to provide purchasers, and sometimes vendors, the ability to cancel an agreement by notice if a specific event has not occurred by a certain date (i.e. the sunset date).

By Eesha Karamchandani and Gaanesh Seger - 10 Feb 2022

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

Relationship property and the Trusts Act 2019

Tara Grant and Telise Kelly recently presented a paper titled The Trusts Act 2019 - through a Relationship Property Lens (via video due to Covid restrictions) for the 2021 Family Law Conference held in Wellington. Tara and Telise provided a practical road-map for trustees and beneficiaries wanting to ensure a trust is properly being administered for the benefit of all beneficiaries. Tara's focus being on trustee duties and disclosure obligations in the event of separation and Telise providing specialist analysis as to how the Family Court may help if trustees "don't play ball".

By Tara Grant - 1 Dec 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

Gender Identification in the Legal System

As society becomes more inclusive and recognises our transgender, non-binary, takatāpui and inter-sex couples, our laws must evolve to do the same.

By Dharsh Nanayakkara - 17 Sep 2021

Vaccination roll-out for children: hurdles under the Care of Children Act

With today's announcement that the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine has been approved for children aged 12 to 15 years, many parents will now be considering whether to vaccinate their children. But what happens when two parents (who are legal guardians of their children) can't agree on this critical issue?

By Telise Kelly - 19 Aug 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