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Resolving the messy business of parental care

There comes a time in life where a certain amount of role reversal takes place between children and parents.

changes to business law for 2018

Four more changes to business law for 2018…

In these briefs, we’re looking at moves to stop multinationals from avoiding paying tax, website privacy and why you need to make sure you’re compliant, another hefty fine issued under the new health and safety laws, and tightening the screws on anti-competitive behaviour.

Improved working conditions for employees

The Labour led coalition government has make swift amendments to the Employment Relations Act 2000. These changes took effect on 1 February this year and will impact all businesses, so if you’re an employer, you need to take note.

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Alerts for farmers: employing workers and health and safety

In these rural briefs, we’re looking at the two hot topics for farmers this summer. The health and safety act is in force and the courts are issuing hefty penalties for non-compliance. We also have a warning about hiring casual help. Read on to avoid getting burned.

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Loan documents: do you read the fine print?

How many of us actually read the fine print when signing a document? The old adage suggests we should and with good reason. If you run a farming operation, it’s very likely that you’ll need to borrow funds from one of New Zealand’s main trading banks. It’s also vital that you read the fine print to avoid some unpleasant surprises. Here’s a summary in larger, easier to read print.

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The low-down on Farm Management Plans

As you’ll be aware from our article What does the Clean Water Package mean for farmers, raising the water standards in our rivers and lakes is going to have an impact on farm management. The government has charged the regional authorities with the job of implementing the water standards policy.

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Your legal obligations as an Airbnb host

As a follow up to our article about the tax implications for renting your accommodation as a holiday home, we’re taking a look at your legal obligations to your lender, insurer and local authority.

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Why you should talk to a lawyer before you buy property

Buying a house is a stressful process in itself, but if you’re competing for a purchase in a seller’s market, which has been the case for some time, the pressure can be intense. If you’ve felt the impulse to make a snap decision, or made an offer without due diligence, we want you to imagine the stern look on your lawyer’s face when you hand over the paperwork.

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Caution required: three common scenarios with big consequences

In these property briefs, we have three situations which seem straightforward, but often aren’t, which can land the unwary in hot water. We take a look at the implications for landlords when tenants sell their business, what those boxes mean on Agreements for Sale and Purchase, and the difference between ‘joint tenants’ and ‘tenants in common.’

trustee for life

Do you really want to be a trustee for life?

All trustees have tasks and duties that have to be performed on a regular basis, even in small family trusts. It’s a burden of responsibility nobody can reasonably be expected to bear for life. This raises questions. When is the right time to walk away? What happens if an ageing trustee is no longer mentally competent? Here are the answers.