What Happens if the Government or Local Authority Wants Your Land?
10 May 2012
Can the government or local authority take your land? The answer is yes,if the land is required for a ‘public work’. You will, of course, be paid compensation for the taking of your land, but understanding the process and getting advice on your entitlements can make the experience less distressing. Under... Read more
Property Speaking - Autumn 2012
1 May 2012
In our Autumn edition of Property Speaking we have articles on: Joint Tenancy and Tenancy in Common – how do we choose? Mortgagee sales – how to avoid one. Being the surviving spouse – some options. A reminder: buyers beware of GST zero-rating. Download PDF
Employees, Drugs and Alcohol
20 April 2012
Is your worker often late, irritable, lacking energy or unable to concentrate on work. Do they have bloodshot eyes? Any of these symptoms may show the worker is coming to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This will mean lack of productivity and risk of injury to the... Read more
Tenants Negotiate Before You Sign Your Commercial Lease
10 April 2012
As a lawyer I’m surprised how often the standard commercial lease published by the Auckland District Law Society is entered into without a thought as to whether all that fine print is going to be helpful if a dispute arises or something unexpected happens. In my experience it’s not unusual for... Read more
Rural eSpeaking - Autumn 2012
29 March 2012
In the Autumn issue of Rural eSpeaking: What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is your problem. Biosecurity Law Reform Bill 2012. Crafar Farms: What is of the most benefit to New Zealand? Fonterra end of season share purchase. National Animal Identification and Trading Act 2012. Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) - Caveat emptor Download PDF
Paper Roads and Public Access
19 March 2012
Paper roads are relatively widespread across New Zealand farmland. Although paper roads may be marked on survey plans, because they have not been formed, they are difficult to identify on the ground. Paper roads are more precisely called “unformed legal roads” and have the same legal status as any other legal... Read more
When the Employee Becomes the Competition
19 March 2012
Whatever the size of your business, there can be benefit in using ‘restraint of trade’ clauses in employment agreements for your staff. A number of issues should be borne in mind when considering including such a clause in those agreements. Firstly the clause must be drafted so that the restraint is... Read more
Trust eSpeaking - Summer 2012
22 February 2012
In the Summer 2012 issue of Trust eSpeaking: Family Trusts and the Family Protection Act 1955: a recent case. Ring-fencing Your Assets When You’re in Business: Taylor v Official Assignee. Divided Loyalties and Conflicts of Interest: Duties of a trustee. Download PDF
Buying Land - The Value of a LIM Report
15 February 2012
It is a common misconception that you don’t need a LIM report when you buy bare land, or when the house and buildings have been signed off by Council. However, the value of a LIM report goes much further than that. Your lawyer will be able to search the title to... Read more
Commercial eSpeaking - Summer 2012
7 February 2012
Inside the Summer 2012 edition of Commercial eSpeaking: Family Businesses: Planning ahead for success. Insolvent Transactions and Clawbacks: The Companies Act carries a sting in its tail. Clearing up Confusion about Criminalising Cartels. Business Briefs: 90-day Trial Periods, Spam, Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill Download PDF
Deciding Whether to Gift or Not?
18 January 2012
If you didn’t know it already you can now gift as much as you like without paying the government gift duty. Before 1 October 2011 you had to pay the government gift duty if you made a gift worth more than $27,000.00 in any one year. The repeal of the... Read more
Fineprint - Spring / Summer 2011
13 December 2011
In this edition of Fineprint: Land covenants: selling land and restricting its use. Cameron Bagrie: New Zealand should get back to economic basics. Help, I’ve just separated: tips for your first legal appointment. Vineyard Magic: the devil is in the detail when buying. New law may make some coastal properties... Download PDF
When You Can't Manage Your Affairs
12 December 2011
It Could Happen to You… Tragedy knows no bounds and can strike like lightning out of the blue. Matt and Julie had hunkered down and worked hard during some tough years but were now starting to enjoy the rewards - until Matt was seriously injured in a car crash only minutes... Read more
Rural eSpeaking - December 2011
12 December 2011
Inside this edition of Rural eSpeaking: Use of Your Property: Do you have the right to keep doing what you have always done? Protecting Yourself From Your Trees: Don’t just watch your garden grow. Public Holiday: Christmas 2011 and New Year 2012. Sharemilking Agreements: Variable Order. Animal welfare. Amendment to legislation. Download PDF