News and views

Most laws tend to have initial bedding-in challenges. In the case of the new foreign buyer legislation, it’s the failure by would-be buyers to complete a crucial new form – an oversight so significant, it’s already derailing sales and causing financial grief.

For wills to be valid they must comply with a number of legal formalities; they must be in writing and there must be two witnesses who must attest to the will-maker signing the will in their presence.

The Family Court has just appointed our Family Law specialist, and Senior Associate, Gillian Stuart, as a Lawyer for the Child.

While we would love to completely eradicate inappropriate behaviour at staff Christmas parties, unfortunately there is no fool-proof course of action that employers and managers can take to guarantee everything stays above board.

We’ve received several requests lately to provide a heads up on what happens when one property owner damages another party’s land. Where do responsibilities and obligations begin and end, we’ve been asked. And, not surprisingly, the big question: who pays?

Following on from last week’s blog exploring some of the key considerations when buying property, this time we’re looking at some of the important factors vendors have to stay across.

The property market’s never far away from the headlines these days – but whatever the state of the market, properties will still be traded, and the same old legal considerations are just as important to ensuring your interests are covered.

Anyone looking to buy land in New Zealand who is classified as an “overseas person” will need to sign on the dotted line before next Monday (October 22) or, otherwise, be subject to the new foreign buyer rules.