Last month, the main form that lawyers and real estate agents use for sale and purchase of property changed. The new form incorporates changes in case law, technological changes and better reflects real world practices. The changes we consider most likely to affect clients buying or selling are as follows: 1. Chattels and Warranties Under…
Recent amendments to the Takeovers Act 1993 and Takeovers Code will be a welcome relief to many small Code companies. These changes add a threshold below which the Code will not apply to unlisted companies. This will save small unlisted companies (and their lawyers) from the rigours of deciphering the Code and the associated compliance…
Earlier this year we had the pleasure of working with STEM Wana Trust to help them achieve Registered Charity Status and in turn, deliver a world class STEMFest in Tauranga during October. In this case study, STEMFest founder Tia Lush describes her experience working with Sharp Tudhope. Read on to find out how STEMFest came…
Often, we think of the elderly when considering putting enduring powers of attorney in place – but the reality is that everyone should have one. Having an EPA means you choose upfront who you would like to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to make them for yourself due to…
House and land packages are a commonplace transaction in Tauranga due to the amount of residential subdivisions in our region. We are seeing increasing numbers of our clients buying off the plan and it is important to get good legal advice before you sign anything. A number of items should be checked out to ensure…
If you’re are a commercial landlord, the requirement to have an Asbestos Management Plan in place may have slipped under your radar. New legislation was introduced on 4 April 2016 (the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016) and, from 4 April 2018, a Landlord can face a fine for being in breach of…
Did you know that if you die without a Will, the law says what will happen to your assets AND there is no guarantee your wishes will be carried out? Even the best laid plans can see family left behind dealing with more stress than they need to. Here’s our top 5 things to think…
Negotiating and completing a business transaction, whether buying, selling or recording a commercial arrangement can be anything but a simple and speedy process. As energetic as you may be at the commencement of negotiations, a condition commonly referred to as “deal fatigue” is likely to feature and drive you and your team to unwittingly giving…
Several changes came into effect on May 6. Individual employment agreements that are not in writing are now an infringement offence under the Employment Relations (Infringement Offences) Regulations 2019. Section 65(1)(a) of the Employment Relations Act 2000 already provides that an individual employment agreement must be in writing. At present an employer failing to comply…
The death of a loved one is a stressful time for families and sorting out the legal aspects can be a daunting task for those left behind. The first step is to ascertain whether the deceased had a will. If the answer is yes, the executors and trustees (with assistance from the Estate Solicitors) need…