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July 26, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Navigating the Family Court

Written by Damandeep Sadhra & Bri Thorne Have you recently separated? Are you struggling to communicate effectively with your former partner? Are your children struggling with the separation? Do you feel that you are not getting as much time with your children as you would like? Are you concerned about the effect it is having on them? If you are a parent, guardian, or whānau member reading this, and it sounds like something you are going through, below is a summary of...

July 25, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Part-Time Employees’ Sick Leave Entitlements will be reduced with proposed changes to the Holidays Act

Written by Lois McLintock  In June, the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden, announced the government’s plans to amend the Holidays Act 2003. The Holidays Act 2003 (“the Act”) governs employee’s entitlements to annual and public holidays, sick leave, bereavement leave, and family violence leave. The Act has long been subject to criticism from both National and Labour governments, and legislation has been drafted in the past in the hope of amending the Act to ensure it is fit...

June 13, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

But that’s what we agreed …

Written by Nick Aveling Originally published in The Profit A wise and respected local businessman once gave my father some sage advice which he has often repeated: “You are a fool if you do not understand what you are signing”. Not so long ago a handshake and a discussion of the broad terms of an agreement were often enough to create a lasting and workable arrangement. Whether or not you have a written contract or a verbal agreement, in this increasingly...

June 6, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Bramwell Bate is pleased to announce their newest Director

Bramwell Bate Lawyers are pleased to announce that Anna Bernie has been promoted to Director at the firm. With nearly ten years of experience at Bramwell Bate (previously Bramwell Grossman), Anna now joins current Directors Christine Symes, Roger Phillip, Edward Bostock, Leah Bernie, and Kevin Osborne as a member of the firm’s leadership team. Anna was born and raised in Gisborne, initially on an orchard in Te Karaka before moving into town following Cyclone Bola. She pursued her education at Victoria...

April 9, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Is 2024 the year of the ‘work life balance’?

Written by Christine Symes  Originally published in The Profit   With an ever-changing market, it’s time for employers to embrace changes in the status quo and actively recruit employees for part-time, fixed term, and casual roles. The options There are opportunities for an employer to promote flexibility for employees who are looking to return to the workforce or move away from the 9 to 5. An employer can consider recruiting for part-time, fixed term, and casual roles. These positions allow employers to access a larger...

February 1, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Kevin Osborne Celebrates 50 Years in Legal Practice

[Image Above: A sample of Kevin’s past achievements highlighted in The Otago Daily Times and Hawke’s Bay Today from the past couple of decades]   Written by Sophie Broome In November 2023, our Director, Kevin Osborne, marked his fiftieth year as a lawyer. Kevin has achieved first class legal expertise and a widely respected knowledge in the legal profession and is a beacon of expertise for both his clients and colleagues. Our summer intern, Sophie, caught up with Kevin to ask him about his time practicing...

February 1, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

The blurry line between employee expertise and social media opinion

Written by Christine Symes and Sophie Broome A recent Employment Court case Turner v Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand raises the question of employment-related opinions and the use of social media – appropriate or inappropriate? Turner was a palliative care nurse working at a Retirement Village run by Wairarapa District Health Board. Turner was dismissed for voicing personal opinions on her Facebook account about the negative implications of the COVID-19 vaccine and in addition, race related opinions. These were contrary to...

February 1, 2024 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Are you managing your Family Trust correctly?

Written by Nick Aveling Gone are the days of Mum and Dad running the family Trust as if they still owned the Trust property. With new requirements and regulations the use of Trusts has come under increasing scrutiny. Whilst Trusts continue to provide benefits that make them an essential component of effective asset planning and wealth management, these benefits arise only if the Trust is properly administered. Running the Trust needs to be taken seriously. If Trustees do not treat the...