Mar 31, 2025

Purchasing a property? Do your homework and get a Land Information Memorandum (commonly referred to as a LIM Report) first.

Mar 19, 2025

If you’re buying or selling property with a sitting tenant, be aware that the timeframes for providing a termination notice have recently changed. These changes are part of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024.

Mar 19, 2025

Big changes are on the way for New Zealand’s employment law! The Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety has unveiled a series of bold reforms that could reshape workplace rights and responsibilities. From removal of dismissal protections in certain cases to wage increases and contractor classifications, these updates will impact both employers and employees in significant ways. While the proposed reforms are not yet enacted (apart from the change to the minimum wage), here’s a summary of what to expect ...

Mar 5, 2025

In New Zealand, the legal terminology for getting a divorce is “applying for an order for dissolution of marriage”. This involves filing an application in the Family Court which can be done jointly, or separately by one party to the marriage. If you proceed separately, the other person will need to be served with the proceedings before a dissolution order is made.

Mar 1, 2025

The what, why and who of the BCH Law Trust Account...  

Feb 28, 2025

In New Zealand's evolving workforce landscape, determining a worker’s employment status is a critical task for businesses. The distinction between an employee and a contractor carries significant legal implications, affecting rights, entitlements, and responsibilities for both parties. Changes set to take effect in 2025 aim to bring greater clarity to this long-standing issue, which has posed challenges for many businesses. This article explores the key factors that differentiate employees from contractors under current New Zealand law and examines the upcoming legislative changes.

Feb 25, 2025

New legislation has been put in place to modernise the rules governing incorporated societies. All existing societies incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 (“1908 Act”) will need to reregister under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (“2022 Act”) by April 2026 if they wish to remain as an incorporated society.

Jan 14, 2025

Construction projects can face hurdles, from payment delays to quality disputes. If you're involved in a construction contract, understanding your rights and resolving conflicts quickly is crucial for keeping projects on track. This article breaks down common causes of disputes, explains the legal framework under the Construction Contracts Act 2002, and highlights the best dispute resolution methods - from mediation to adjudication. Learn how to protect yourself, resolve issues efficiently, and ensure smoother project outcomes.

Dec 4, 2024

Our office will be closed for the Christmas break from 3pm on Friday 20th December 2024 and will re-open at 8.30am on Monday 6th January 2025. Again, this year we've made a donation to St Peters in the City who annually host a community Christmas dinner for the homeless, those in need and people who are alone. This generous gesture accommodates up to 250 people including children each Christmas!

Nov 5, 2024

You may qualify for Legal Aid if you do not have the ability to afford to pay privately for a lawyer. Burley Castle Hawkins takes on Legal Aid matters for civil, criminal and family matters where we have capacity to do so.

Sep 16, 2024

In a pickle? Licence suspended or caught drink driving? We can provide guidance on applying for a Limited Driver's Licence. Read on for more details …

Sep 3, 2024

Creating or updating your Will doesn't have to be a daunting task, our experienced team is here to guide you through every step of the process.