News & Articles

Court of Appeal decision: what happens when builders go bankrupt and leave homes unfinished?

In a recent case, the New Zealand Court of Appeal in Francis v Gross made an important decision about what happens when buyers of unfinished homes – called “pods” or…

Environmental Law – an introduction

There has always been a tension between the way we interact with the world for our benefit and how we should interact with the world to avoid the detriment of…

When can an employer require an employee to take annual holidays?

In this post-COVID world, some employers may be finding that their employees’ annual holiday balances have crept up, and they may be asking themselves whether they can direct those employees…

Trusts Act Update – core documents

The Trusts Act that came into effect in January 2021 is the first major reform since 1956. New legislation has impacted trustees, beneficiaries, and legal practitioners, mainly for the better. The…

Changes to the Fair Trading Act 1986

The Fair Trading Amendment Act 2021 has recently extended and introduced new protections against unfair commercial practices which are important for many businesses to consider whether changes to their standard…

Retirement village occupation rights explained

If you have retired, the children have left home, and your home is slowly becoming more of a hindrance than a joy, it is a good time to explore “downsizing”…

The importance of a valid Will

A badly drafted Will can be problematic and lead to family disputes. To be considered valid, your Will must comply with the Wills Act 2007. Outdated Wills that don’t meet…

The tricky question of employee vs independent contractor

The question of whether someone is an employee, or a contractor, can have significant implications for both parties. This question has been hotly debated, and the Employment Relations Authority and…

Does your house insurance policy cover a total loss?

After the Christchurch earthquake many insurance companies changed their house insurance policies from “full replacement” cover to “sum insured” amounts. This meant that if your house was damaged or destroyed,…