November 2017 Many of us that purchase products or services online simply tick a box agreeing to the supplier's terms of trade without reading them or giving them a second thought. But those terms of trade can be very important, particularly when a deal goes wrong. Your business should have written terms of trade so… Read More.

November 2017 On 1 September 2017 the new Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 came into force. This Act consolidates 11 contract and commercial statutes into a single piece of legislation. The drafters have also taken the opportunity to update the legislation to simplify the language used and make it more accessible and easier to… Read More.

September 2017 Many contracts include terms such as ‘best endeavours’, ‘reasonable endeavours’, or ‘all reasonable endeavours’? What do these terms mean? What is a party expected to do under these terms? The terms are often misunderstood. However, as a general rule, the terms are used to compel a person to take action to fulfil an… Read More.

September 2017 As an employer, you are required by law to ensure you take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of your employees and all those who interact with your workplace or products and services. One of the ways businesses can do this is to have a robust drug and alcohol policy which reflects… Read More.

September 2017 In the decision of ASG v Harlene Hayne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago [2017] NZSC 59, the Supreme Court upheld earlier findings of the Employment Court and the Court of Appeal that section 200 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, which allows a court to make a name suppression order forbidding publication… Read More.

September 2017 If you think gifting between family members is all about beautifully wrapped Christmas presents then think again. On 1 August there was a headline in the New Zealand Herald: ‘Parents' $910k 'gift' to help couple buy house ends up in court’. This situation will not be unknown to lawyers who deal with separations.… Read More.

September 2017 The number of retirement villages is only likely to increase to accommodate our ageing population. Retirement villages are an attractive option because they can offer a good balance between living independently and having access to support and healthcare. Villages comprise independent living options in a townhouse, villa or apartment, and (as needs increase)… Read More.

June 2017 There are over 25,000 charities registered with Charities Services in New Zealand. Most of these organisations operate as charitable trusts. Whatever their size, charitable trusts are dependent upon the energy and commitment of their trustees. The purpose of this article is to outline some of the issues you need to think about if… Read More.