You may have heard that trusts are a good protector of homes against relationship property claims. Indeed they may be – but they are not watertight protection. There are various ways that a trust can be attacked. It is therefore …

You may have hired a worker as a contractor or have begun working as a contractor, but the Courts may see the relationship differently to you. Instead, the Court may decide that the relationship was rather one of employer-employee. This …

In April 2013, EQC released two guides for settlement of earthquake land claims (flat land and hill properties), together with sample Land Settlement Packs. The Guides note that they are a summary of EQC’s obligations and that the provisions of …

The law around 90 day trial periods continues to develop. We have previously posted articles on the importance of having an employee sign their employment agreement before their first day of work and also agreeing to a trial period before …

In June 2012 we posted an article highlighting the importance of employers, who want to rely on a 90 day trial period, ensuring that all new employees sign their employment agreement containing the trial period before their first day of …

From 1 April 2011 all employers are able to employ new employees on a trial period of up to 90 calendar days. This means that, subject to certain conditions, an employer can dismiss a new employee within that period without …

Stress claims at work arise in a variety of situations.

An employee may be struggling with a demanding workload, they may feel they are being bullied by a colleague or that a work relationship has broken down, or they may …

1. What is the extent of EQC’s obligations?

If you are insured with EQC, your home is secured against damage caused by natural disaster for its “replacement value” (up to a maximum of $100,000 plus GST).

Under the Earthquake Commission …

Disputes about which country or city a child should live in after parents separate (relocation disputes) are becoming more common. Travels costs have become cheaper, meaning that an increasing number of people move overseas for work or to live closer …