In this issue

1. Clean Water Package 2017
2. Good Husbandry
3. Over the Fence

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Clean Water Package 2017

The government recently announced its Clean Water Package. The release has caused considerable controversy, largely around the proposed target of 90% of rivers and lakes being ‘swimmable’ by 2040 and, in particular, the E.coli guidelines for swimmable rivers being 540 E.coli per 100mls.

In this issue

1. Trusts Bill
2. Will Your Business Survive if You Don’t?
3. Looking After Your Inheritance

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Trusts Bill

In late 2013, the Law Commission completed a report recommending that a new Trusts Act replace the Trustee Act 1956. The public consultation phase began last December with the release of the exposure draft Bill...

In this issue

1. Do all your Employees have Employment Agreements?
2. Letting your Holiday House
3. Why is There Name Suppression in Court?
4. Ni Hao: Doing business with Chinese investors
5. Holiday Care Disputes Involving Children
6. Postscript

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Do all your Employees have Employment Agreements?

A recent report from Statistics New Zealand suggests that nearly 1 in 10 employees do not have a written employment agreement. Of those who do have written employment agreements, it’s probably fair to say that a proportion of those are not up-to-date.

In this issue

1. What to do When the Earth has Moved
2. Greater Focus on Lender Responsibility for Consumer Credit
3. Business Briefs

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FEATURE ARTICLE

What to do When the Earth has Moved

The recent Kaikoura earthquake was yet another reminder of the volatile and unpredictable nature of the land on which we all live. As we have seen, even earthquakes that don’t cause widespread destruction and/or loss of life can have a major impact on businesses and property owners. We set out below some guidance on points to keep in mind if you own, or are a tenant in, a commercial building potentially affected by earthquake damage.

In this issue

1. Health and Safety, and Personal Trusteeships – Not a good mix these days
2. Due Diligence – Check the primary documents
3. Over the Fence

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Health and Safety, and Personal Trusteeships – Not a good mix these days

In the past, articles in Rural eSpeaking have covered the issue of personal liability for trustees, and the dangers facing independent or professional trustees who have little day-to-day involvement in the running of their trust.

In this issue

1. Property Owners Should Get All their Ducks in a Row
2. Don’t Rush into Signing an Agreement for Sale and Purchase
3. Property Briefs

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In this issue

1. Beneficiaries’ entitlement to trust information
2. Trusts under attack by former spouses and partners
3. Foreign trusts: Tightening up the rules

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Beneficiaries’ entitlement to trust information

The extent of a trustee’s obligation to provide information to beneficiaries has been a continuing source of frustration for trustees, particularly those whose discretionary decisions may be challenged. Recently the Court of Appeal clarified the nature and extent of this obligation, and the beneficiary’s corresponding rights.

In this issue

1. Important changes in construction law now in force
2. Directors’ duties – how far is far enough?
3. Business Briefs

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Important changes in construction law now in force

Construction Contracts Act 2002 (CCA) sets out a number of duties and obligations on both those commissioning building work, and those undertaking it. It’s designed to ensure prompt payment of invoices from contractors, and that disputes are identified and resolved quickly and cost-effectively. If you provide or commission building work, it’s essential to be familiar with this legislation.

In this issue

1. Obligations of working dog owners
2. Providing accommodation to your farm staff?
3. Over the Fence

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Obligations of working dog owners

Most farmers will agree that working dogs play a crucial part in the day-to-day running of a successful farm. So it’s important that you’re fully aware of your legal obligations and responsibilities associated with owning working dogs. If you don’t, there’s a risk of substantial fines and possibly a conviction.

In this issue

1. Protecting the elderly
2. Easements
3. Ni Hao: Doing business with Chinese investors
4. Drinking and driving – don’t do it
5. Postscript

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Protecting the elderly

People often find themselves looking after someone else’s money or property under an enduring power of attorney (EPA) but they are unsure what they are supposed to do. A recent High Court decision1 demonstrates the risks of ignoring the strict duties which are imposed. Although this is an actual case the names have been changed for privacy reasons.

In this issue

1. P-contamination in Residential Property
2. Looking at Buying Your First Home? Look into KiwiSaver
3. Property Briefs

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In this issue

1. Do you really need all that paper?
2. Who’d be in business?
3. Business Briefs

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Do you really need all that paper?

The way we live our lives and operate our businesses is always changing. Amongst the biggest changes is the move to electronic communication and information. Despite its potential for quick, efficient communication and the reduction in the need for paper and storage, ironically, many people find themselves surrounded by more paper than ever!

In this issue

1. Protecting Shareholder Advances and Guarantees
2. Changing Landscape in the Workplace
3. Are We in a De Facto Relationship?
4. Cyberbullying – stopping the trolls
5. Postscript

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Protecting Shareholder Advances and Guarantees

All too often shareholders overlook the need to properly secure the advances they make to their company, or the guarantees they grant in favour of their company, without being aware of the consequences that can result from this oversight. By registering security over the assets of their company, shareholders can effectively and efficiently secure their advances to that company and feel assured that steps have been taken to safeguard their investment.

In this issue

1. Increase in Claims on Estates
2. Your Will
3. Parallel Trusts

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Increase in Claims on Estates

In December 2015 the Sunday Star Times reported on a dispute amongst the members of the Ropati family in respect of their mother’s estate. The article contains the following statements...