Litigation Archives

Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024: Key Changes Benefiting Landlords

31 March 2025

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024, in effect from 30 January 2025, brings significant changes for landlords. The return of no-cause terminations, updated fixed-term tenancy rules, and clearer dispute resolution timeframes provide more control—but strict notice requirements remain. Here, we break down what’s new and why landlords should ensure they follow the correct processes to avoid disputes. If you\'re considering ending a tenancy, seeking advice can help ensure compliance.

The Importance of giving Dispute Resolution Clauses your Attention

27 March 2025

Dispute resolution clauses can be easily overlooked. However, it is always important to consider what processes are specified in your contract before committing. Here we consider one of the potential downsides of an arbitration clause – for the unsuccessful party at least. This is a useful reminder to consider the pros and cons of the processes that you are signing up for and to seek advice if you have any questions about how those processes might work.

Appointment of Family Court Associates to reduce delay within the Family Court

28 July 2022

The Government has introduced the Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill to improve outcomes for people participating in Family court proceedings. We explore the origins of this bill and what actions it will implement to improve those outcomes.

I’ve been cut out of their Will… what now?

25 March 2022

If you have been excluded from your parent’s Will, or left a very small gift, you may have the right to challenge the Will. This article provides you with a summary of your rights.

The Importance of Shareholder Agreements

23 September 2021

When you are entering into a new venture the opportunities seem endless and everyone is positive about goals and working relationships. However, as we unfortunately see so often in our litigation team, things do not always go to plan. A well drafted shareholder agreement can be worth its weight in gold when working relationships sour.

Incorporated Society Dispute Resolution – What options do you have?

7 September 2021

We often have enquiries from clients or prospective clients relating to disputes within an incorporated society that they are affiliated with (e.g. as members or serving on society committees). People often ask us what they can do to resolve these disputes and how they can make claims when the society leaders are not acting in the best interests of the society. This article sets out the different options available when there are disputes within an incorporated society and highlights some deficiencies in our current law.

Did they have all of their wits when they made their will?

2 October 2020

A deceased person’s will can be challenged for a number of different reasons. In this article, we look briefly at challenges to a will based on the grounds that the will maker did not have testamentary capacity at the time they made their will.

Construction Contract Claims – Getting it right

4 March 2020

The Construction Contracts Act 2002 required strict compliance in order to recover payments under it. In this article, construction law specialist, Karen Shaw provides a summary of the key requirements to ensure that you get these claims right .

Neighbours at War – What to do when you have a fence dispute

20 September 2019

The Fencing Act 1978 has been in place for decades but there is still confusion as to the process and means of resolving disputes that arise under the Act. This article raises some points to be aware of before arranging a replacement boundary fence in the hope that your neighbour will pay their fair share.

Online Issues: Buying goods off Trade Me

1 September 2019

The internet creates a specialised set of problems which cannot always be dealt with in the traditional sense. With the development and increasing use of online trading sites, such as Trade Me, comes a whole new set of practical and legal problems.