Big changes are coming to the Disputes Tribunal … Ever had a legal dispute but couldn’t afford to take it to court? You’re not alone - and now, change is on the way. New Zealand’s Disputes Tribunal might soon handle claims up to $60,000, double the current $30,000 limit. Why does this matter? Because thousands of Kiwis give up on valid claims every year just to avoid the high cost of going to court. The Disputes Tribunal is a cost-effective, informal alternative to the traditional court system for resolving civil disputes.
Parties to relationship property settlement Agreements and Court proceedings must provide full and frank disclosure of their financial assets and liabilities.
We outline three essential steps to follow when dealing with separation.
If your relationship was less than three years and there are children or one party has made a substantial contribution, the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 will apply, but does not provide a statutory framework for equal sharing.
In New Zealand’s justice system, a discharge without conviction offers an important alternative to a formal criminal record for certain offences. This legal mechanism allows courts to acknowledge that while an individual has been found guilty or has pleaded guilty, they are not formally convicted. By doing so, the court recognises that for minor or first-time offences, the long-term consequences of a conviction might be unduly harsh compared to the offence committed.
Purchasing a property? Do your homework and get a Land Information Memorandum (commonly referred to as a LIM Report) first.
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.
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 ...
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.
The what, why and who of the BCH Law Trust Account...
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.
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.
