Chances are your Franchise Agreement has a dispute resolution clause. What does it mean and what do you need to look out for?

This article outlines the implications of the "phoenix law" provisions of the Companies Act on creditors and directors and discusses a recent case which looks at the value of goodwill that attaches to a previous company name.

There have been a number of changes in relation to lease inducement and lease surrender payments in 2013. Inland Revenue is now proposing broader changes to payments relating to leases, other interests in land, and licences to use land. 

The Resource Management Act 1991 sets out the process undertaken by consent authorities (i.e. District and Regional Councils) in relation to applications for resource consents. Such applications are processed on a notified or non-notified basis, which determines the extent of public participation in the process.

On 30 June 2013 the Anti-Money Laundering & Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 came into force. The new legislation aims to identify money laundering proceeds which have been generated from underlying criminal activities.

IRD has released a consultation paper seeking feedback on proposals to clarify the tax rules that apply when a charity is removed from the Department of Internal Affairs’ Charities Register. Submissions close on 23 August 2013.

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill was introduced into Parliament on 26 April 2013 and passed its first reading on 5 June 2013. The Bill introduces many changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000.

The National Government is currently conducting “The Constitution Conversation”; a review of New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements (“review”). The review originates from the 2008 Confidence and Supply Agreement between the Māori Party and the National Government. This review is significant as it calls for public submissions on how we want our country to be run, and includes an inquiry into the role of the Treaty of Waitangi in our constitutional arrangements.

The recent case of Ingram v Patcroft Properties Limited [2011] NZSC 49 dealt specifically with one party’s right to cancel a lease agreement as a result of the other party’s breach.

The strain of the current economic climate is seeing more and more debtors (clients, customers or service users) being unable to meet their payment obligations and in turn making it difficult for creditors (companies or individuals) to stay financially afloat.

The Construction Contracts Amendment Bill was referred to Parliament earlier this year. The proposed changes to the Act are intended to apply from 1 November 2013.

Recent tax reforms provide for changes to the taxation of lease inducement and lease surrender payments. This article outlines these reforms, which apply from 1 April 2013.

Download information about the Payroll Changes 1 April 2013.

The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (the Act) comes into full force on 30 June 2013. One of the Acts aims is to ensure that “reporting entities” take appropriate measures against money laundering and financing of terrorism.

On 17 April 2013 the New Zealand Parliament passed the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill giving same-sex couples the right to marry. The result of this is that all couples, regardless of gender, now have the right to marry to express their commitment to each other.