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Health and Safety changes: new obligations
Posted by Benefitz Admin on August 12 2014
In March this year the Government introduced the Health and Safety Reform Bill to Parliament. Modelled closely on the Australian Model Work Health and Safety Act, the Bill will replace the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and the Machinery Act 1950. With new duties, especially for... Read the rest of this entry
Employment Law Update
Posted by Benefitz Admin on August 12 2014
Paid parental leave entitlements Following the Budget 2014 the Government is set to increase the maximum parental leave payment for eligible parents. Amongst other changes the length of leave eligible parents will be able to take is set to increase in two stages. To be eligible for... Read the rest of this entry
Good trademark news for China traders
Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 12 2014
The long anticipated changes to China’s Trade Mark Law came into effect on 1 May 2014. The newly adopted amendments will be welcomed by many international companies that are either exporting to or from China. China’s Trade Mark System China, like New Zealand, is party to... Read the rest of this entry
Best practice guidelines to prevent bullying
Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 12 2014
In February 2014 Worksafe New Zealand released its best practice guidelines for preventing and responding to bullying in the workplace. Bullying in the workplace is an issue that many employers find difficult to deal with. There are issues in dealing with both the victim and the... Read the rest of this entry
New Financial Reporting Framework for Companies
Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 7 2014
The Financial Reporting Act 2013 and most of the Financial Reporting (Amendments to Other Enactments) Act 2013 came into force on 1 April 2014 bringing a number of positive and timely changes to financial reporting for small and medium sized companies. From 1 April, most companies will no... Read the rest of this entry
Mobil not liable to pay Auckland Waterfront $10m in damages
Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 27 2014
Mobil not liable to pay Auckland Waterfront $10m in damages to remove or contain subsurface contamination. A recent case has highlighted the kind of dispute that can arise over clean up obligations at the end of tenancies. In the recent High Court case of Auckland Waterfront... Read the rest of this entry
Financial Markets Conduct Act
Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 17 2014
Phase 1 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 will come into force on 1 April 2014. Commerce Minister Craig Foss announced on 27 February 2014 that Cabinet has approved regulations for Phase 1 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 as part of the Government’s financial market... Read the rest of this entry
Doing Business in New Zealand
Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 14 2014
The firm considers and comments on interesting and important developments (likely to impact upon our clients’ businesses) in our key practice areas of property, commercial and litigation Read the rest of this entry
Workplace Health and Safety Reform
Posted by Benefitz Admin on November 20 2013
In August this year the government released a blueprint proposing significant changes to New Zealand’s workplace health and safety system. The changes are based on the Australian Model Work Health and Safety Act and aim to provide clear and consistent information for employers on how... Read the rest of this entry
Introducing 2 new partners
Posted by Benefitz Admin on July 12 2013
Shieff Angland is pleased to announce the appointment of two new partners, Kellie Bright and Kalev Crossland. Kellie Bright is a specialist corporate, commercial and trust lawyer. Kellie has significant experience in advising on business acquisitions, mergers, restructurings, corporate... Read the rest of this entry
New Food Standard 1.2.7 – Nutrition, Health and Related Claims
Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 13 2013
All food businesses need to be aware of the introduction of a new food standard which has significantly changed the nutrition and health claims that can be made on labels and advertising of food. The new standard 1.2.7 became law on 18 January 2013. It will work alongside the current... Read the rest of this entry
Consumer Law Reform Bill
Posted by Benefitz Admin on April 26 2013
The Consumer Law Reform Bill ( Bill ), a significant and wide-ranging piece of legislative reform, recently had its second reading in Parliament and is expected to be introduced into law later this year. The Bill proposes amendments to various consumer laws such as the Fair Trading Act 1986... Read the rest of this entry
Re:Source – Employment law highlights 2012
Posted by Benefitz Admin on April 16 2013
As the new year gets into full swing, we take this opportunity to look back on some of the employment law highlights (or lowlights depending on your viewpoint) of 2012, as well as to remind you of upcoming changes for 2013. Collective Bargaining No one who read the news or watched... Read the rest of this entry
Re:Source – Employment Court discusses new test for dismissal justification
Posted by Benefitz Admin on August 24 2012
A decision of the Employment Court in July 2012 has shed light on the implications of the 2011 changes to the test for unjustified dismissal. Section 103A of the Employment Relations Act 2000 was amended from 1 April 2011. The test for whether a dismissal or other disciplinary decision by... Read the rest of this entry
Mortgagee sales and “best price”
Posted by Benefitz Admin on July 10 2012
There have been record numbers of mortgagee sales in recent times. However, there has seemingly also been an increased appetite or facility by mortgagors to challenge mortgagees in terms of their “best price” obligations. That is, there has been a rise in the number of cases... Read the rest of this entry
New standard form Sale and Purchase Agreement
Posted by Benefitz Admin on July 10 2012
The Ninth Edition of the form of REINZ/ADLSi agreement for sale and purchase of real estate will be released shortly. The current Eighth Edition 2006 (now at revised version 4) evolved to account for changes in the law, such as, the Property Law Act 2007, e-dealing, claims for compensation... Read the rest of this entry
Summary judgment returns to the District Court
Posted by Benefitz Admin on June 27 2012
Further changes were introduced to the District Court Rules on 14 June 2012. Claimants now have the ability to apply promptly for summary judgment in connection with enforcing settlement agreements and (on a slightly more extended timeframe) in respect of other disputed claims. The... Read the rest of this entry
The Employment Relations Act 2000
Posted by Benefitz Admin on June 26 2012
The Employment Relations Act 2000 recognises that the employment relationship involves more than a contractual exchange between the employee and the employer. The Act is based on the concept of ‘good faith’, which applies to all aspects of the employment relationship. The... Read the rest of this entry
Dispute Resolution
Posted by Benefitz Admin on June 26 2012
Overview The guiding principles for an employer in carrying out a disciplinary process for poor performance or misconduct by an employee are fairness and good faith . There is no precise definition of these concepts. Often it is necessary for an employer to use good judgment and common... Read the rest of this entry
Disciplinary and Dismissal Guidelines
Posted by Benefitz Admin on June 26 2012
Overview The guiding principles for an employer in carrying out a disciplinary process for poor performance or misconduct by an employee are fairness and good faith . There is no precise definition of these concepts. Often it is necessary for an employer to use good judgment and common... Read the rest of this entry