Managing Shared Care during Alert Level 3
With the move into Alert Level 3 on Tuesday 28 April 2020, a lot of parents are wondering how this is going to impact upon care arrangements for their children. The key thin got remember is that the health of all New Zealanders remains the Government’s priority, balanced against the need to allow the New […]
Employers Obligations at Alert Level 3 – Coronavirus – COVID-19
From Tuesday 28 April the country is at Alert Level 3. This means that where it is possible to work from home, employees must do so. But where businesses have employees who cannot work from home, some businesses can begin operating, provided they meet certain criteria and introduce suitable health and safety measures. Businesses still […]
Leases during the lockdown period – Coronavirus – COVID-19
New Zealand faces an unprecedented government mandated lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and as a result, a significant number of New Zealand businesses are unable to access their business premises due to such restrictions. If the current (sixth) edition Auckland District Law Society (ADLS) Deed of Lease (Lease) was used, it will contain […]
Work and Pay for Employees During Lockdown – Coronavirus – COVID-19
The New Zealand government moved the country to Covid-19 Alert Level 4. That meant all non-essential businesses were required to close. New Zealand is now in lockdown. Non-essential businesses may need to explore options for work and pay for their employees during their closure. For businesses falling outside the essential services criteria, we provide general […]
Oranga Tamariki – Amendments to the Act
It is estimated that about 70 per cent of tamariki (children) in care of the Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry of Children) are Maori. Yet reportedly, only about 20 percent of its services are provided by Maori Organisations. This inherent lack of cultural representation in the system has resulted in long-term adverse effects on the welfare […]
Wiltshire Stone Lawyers Join Rice Craig
Rice Craig is expanding. We are delighted to announce the arrival of Lance Wiltshire and his support staff, Catherine Te-Wharau, Sharon Lynch and Adele Schick at Rice Craig from September 2018. Lance is joining us as a Senior Consultant, and Catherine, Sharon and Adele will continue to work with Lance in the way that they […]
Supreme Court Flexes Muscle
The New Zealand Supreme Court is a “baby” in a legal history sense. It was established on 1 January 2004 by the Helen Clark led Government. Subsequently, there have been a variety of decisions where the Supreme Court has displayed a willingness to exert its muscle. In Almond v Read & Others [2017] NZSC 80 Neville Woods […]
DNA Test Case
Is it lawful to take DNA from a corpse? The Family Court, in E & B v E & Others, issued a recent decision on this issue “given the public interest and possibility of future similar events”. The Respondent claimed she had been in a de facto relationship with the deceased. She brought a claim against the deceased estate. There was […]
What you need to know about Shareholder Agreements
Congratulations on starting a business – you have an exciting ride ahead of you! While many people focus on branding, product details and their choice of office chair, it’s actually also really important to consider the legal aspect of your business, too – your Shareholders’ Agreement, in particular. A Shareholders’ Agreement is an agreement between […]
Relationship Property and Trusts: A Messy Marriage
In two recent Supreme Court decisions in Clayton v Clayton the law relating to relationship property and Trusts have been clarified. Mr and Mrs Clayton were married for many years, had two daughters together, and later divorced. The assets were primarily held in a number of Trusts. A number of different challenges were made to the Trusts, […]