https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/ Latest update from Blog en-us Fri, 09 May 2025 17:17:25 +1300 Fri, 09 May 2025 17:17:25 +1200 60 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/rss/blog/?categoryId=28 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/lease-updates-2025-key-changes-to-the-law-association-deed-of-lease/ The Law Association (formerly Auckland District Law Society) has released the seventh edition of its standard form Deed of Lease, marking the first major update since 2012. The new version reflects changes in the commercial leasing market, economic shifts, and legal developments following... Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:02:23 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/lease-updates-2025-key-changes-to-the-law-association-deed-of-lease/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/big-shake-up-major-employment-law-changes-coming-in-2025/ The coalition government promised big changes when it took office in 2023—now they’re delivering. With a suite of employment law reforms on the horizon, New Zealand employers and employees should prepare for significant shifts. Here’s your punchy rundown of what’s... Thu, 27 Feb 2025 09:59:51 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/big-shake-up-major-employment-law-changes-coming-in-2025/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/resolving-disputes-in-new-zealand-faster-smarter-alternatives-to-court/ Disputes are an inevitable part of life—whether in business, construction, employment, or personal matters. When conflicts arise, many assume the only solution is to head to court. However, traditional litigation is often expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. In New... Thu, 27 Feb 2025 09:54:16 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/resolving-disputes-in-new-zealand-faster-smarter-alternatives-to-court/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/can-employers-order-their-employees-back-to-office/ One of the major impacts of COVID-19 on workplaces was the dramatic increase in the number of employees working remotely, mainly from their homes. Although working from home comes with many benefits, such as no commute time and the ability to be flexible with work hours and the care of children,... Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:48:43 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/can-employers-order-their-employees-back-to-office/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/risks-for-commercial-lease-landlords/ Commercial property ownership and leasing can be a lucrative investment, but it has risks. Landlords of commercial leases face various challenges that can affect their financial return and property value. Therefore, before anyone considers becoming a landlord, they need to be aware of... Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:44:20 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/risks-for-commercial-lease-landlords/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/navigating-liability-the-supreme-court-s-ruling-on-contribution-claims-in-construction/ In a landmark decision, the New Zealand Supreme Court recently ruled on the case of Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner Ltd v Wellington City Council [2024] NZSC 117 . The case has significant implications for the construction industry and legal practitioners, particularly concerning the... Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:13:54 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/navigating-liability-the-supreme-court-s-ruling-on-contribution-claims-in-construction/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/wiles-v-university-of-auckland/ The recent Employment Court judgment in Wiles v University of Auckland has raised some interesting questions for employers. Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles became a central figure during COVID-19 through her science communications on social media and in mainstream media. She was... Tue, 03 Sep 2024 12:28:08 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/wiles-v-university-of-auckland/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/building-resilience-developers-tactics-for-handling-contractors-insolvency/ As of March 2024, there has been a record number of liquidations in one month compared to over the past nine years — with 234 companies going into liquidation, 26 companies going into receivership, and 20 going into voluntary administration [1].  Statistics show that the building and... Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:54:43 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/building-resilience-developers-tactics-for-handling-contractors-insolvency/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/surrender-assignment-or-sublease-a-tenant-s-guide-to-changing-lease-circumstances/ If you are a tenant that leases its premises, and your plans change, you should be aware of the options available to you in terms of parting with possession of the premises: Your options in that instance are likely to be: Surrender of lease Assignment of lease Subleasing... Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:45:45 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/surrender-assignment-or-sublease-a-tenant-s-guide-to-changing-lease-circumstances/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/smith-v-fonterra-paving-the-way-for-climate-change-litigation-in-new-zealand/ The recent Supreme Court decision of Smith v Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited [2024] NZSC 5 significantly advances the climate change and environmental law space. The Court ruled in favour of climate activist Mike Smith (Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu), granting him the opportunity to sue major... Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:01:00 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/smith-v-fonterra-paving-the-way-for-climate-change-litigation-in-new-zealand/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/tough-new-laws-on-employers-hiring-migrant-workers/ In an era where global migration is a common phenomenon, ensuring the fair treatment and protection of migrant workers has become an imperative task for governments worldwide. New Zealand, known for its progressive policies, has taken a significant step forward with the implementation of the... Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:57:42 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/tough-new-laws-on-employers-hiring-migrant-workers/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/exploring-the-changes-in-the-charities-act-2005/ If you are involved in the operation of a charity, you need to be aware of the recent changes to the Charities Act 2005 (Act). Different changes come into play on three critical dates between 2023 and 2024. Most relevant to registered charities include the amendment to the definition of an... Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:54:00 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/exploring-the-changes-in-the-charities-act-2005/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/safeguarding-the-legal-landscape-from-data-breaches/ Cyber security and data breach responses remain of utmost importance for all businesses. With the confidentiality requirements and large financial transactions which law firms undertake, it is especially so in the business of law. How big is the problem, and what are we doing about... Fri, 01 Sep 2023 09:21:43 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/safeguarding-the-legal-landscape-from-data-breaches/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/rethinking-the-wills-act-in-the-digital-age/ The Wills Act 2007 (Act) is a vital piece of legislation, outlining the legal requirements for creating and executing a will. But with the rapid advancement of technology, could changes to this Act be on the horizon? Section 11 of the Act requires that a will must be made in... Fri, 01 Sep 2023 09:15:47 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/rethinking-the-wills-act-in-the-digital-age/ https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/court-of-appeal-s-review-of-uber-drivers-employment-status/ On 25 October 2022, Chief Judge of the Employment Court, Judge Christina Inglis, made a historic ruling declaring that Uber Drivers, including Uber Eats, are employees rather than contractors. The Court of Appeal has recently granted Uber Group’s (Uber) application for leave to... Fri, 01 Sep 2023 09:04:09 +1200 https://www.shieffangland.co.nz/blog/news/court-of-appeal-s-review-of-uber-drivers-employment-status/