Helping your adult child climb onto the property ladder
Many parents would like to be able to help their child purchase their first home. So, if you are a parent, what is the best way to help?
Christmas shopping – know your consumer rights before purchasing
As a consumer in New Zealand, every time you purchase goods or services from a supplier in trade, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (“the Act”) provides you with certain protections against the supplier of those goods or services (and possibly against the manufacturer). This article will provide a summary of the workings of the guarantees under the Act, and of the concept of extended warranties.
Can trustees of a family trust treat beneficiaries unequally?
Many family assets in New Zealand are owned by a family trust. The trustees of such trusts must comply with a wide range of duties and obligations. This article considers one of those duties, the trustee duty of impartiality, and what this duty means in practice, particularly when trustees want to distribute trust assets unequally amongst trust beneficiaries.
Don’t forget your roots
If you have a legal interest in a property, you must take all steps necessary to prevent the trees on that property from causing damage to your neighbour’s property. This is because, at law, every person has the right to the ordinary use and enjoyment of their land.
Discipline in amateur sports clubs
Volunteering to be an administrator of an amateur sports club can be very fulfilling, but it can also be very stressful and confusing. This is especially when you are called upon to deal with internal disputes within the club or disciplinary issues involving members. This article will help guide administrators on how to approach disputes or disciplinary issues either within the club or with outside parties.
Leases and Natural Disasters
A natural disaster can have devastating effects on business operations. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant under a commercial lease, it is important to obtain legal advice both before you enter into the lease and in the aftermath of a natural disaster. This article considers some of the issues to discuss with your lawyer.
But I paid for it! The overlooked risk of paying for a home on land you do not own.
Are you looking for a home and thinking about paying for a house on land owned by a friend or family? This article provides a brief summary of the important legal issues you need to consider if you are planning such an arrangement.
Be Careful When Transferring Contracts
A number of circumstance may give rise to you wanting to transfer a contract. For instance, you may have sold your business and you want to transfer your customer contracts or purchase contracts to the purchaser of the business.
Is Expert Determination a suitable alternative to litigation for you?
Parties to a dispute always focus on what needs to be decided. The parties should also focus on how the decision should be made. This article reviews the way in which the parties should go about considering whether Expert Determination is an appropriate form of dispute resolution for them.
Solicitor’s Approval Clauses in Real Estate Agreements – An Easy Out?
Is a solicitor's approval condition an easy way to cancel an agreement for the sale and purchase of real estate, if the purchaser changes his or her mind?