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September 1, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Trees under the Emissions Trading Scheme (Pre and post 1990)

As climate change issues come more clearly into focus, so do the relevance and effects of the Emissions Trading Scheme. If you are in the Scheme, or are buying or currently own a property that has trees that are affected by the rules and regulations surrounding the Scheme, then you definitely need to be vigilant. There is no doubt that combined assistance is required from your lawyer and accountant alongside the consultants that are at the coalface implementing and administering the...

August 28, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Family Protection Act claims

The Family Protection Act (“the Act”) is utilised by certain classes of family members who have an issue with the extent of their inheritance; either due to being left out entirely or where they perceive the share received is less than what is reasonable and fair because the deceased has breached their moral duty to that person to adequately provide for their maintenance and support. An application is made to either the Family Court or the High Court. That said, there...

August 24, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

A brief summary of the Fair Pay Agreements Bill

The Fair Pay Agreements Bill has been drafted with the intention of providing a framework for collective bargaining for fair pay agreements across all industries and occupations, rather than just between unions and particular employers. It was introduced on 29 March 2022 and is currently at the Select Committee stage. The Fair Pay Agreements Bill allows for unions and employer associations to set standards for all other employees in an industry. The standards that can be negotiated are base pay rates,...

August 22, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Legal Aid: What Does it Mean and How Can We Help You?

Bramwell Bate is a proud supplier of legal aid services in both criminal and family law. But what is legal aid, and how can it help you with criminal and family matters? Legal Aid: An Overview Legal aid is a government funded loan that supports individuals who are in need of legal services but may struggle to pay legal fees. It is considered a “loan” of sorts, being that you are expected to repay the Ministry of Justice for your legal fees...

August 21, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Epidemic Preparedness Notice still in place for commercial leases and mortgages

In May 2020 temporary law changes were made to the Property Law Act 2007 (“the Act”) as part of the COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Act 2020. These changes related to leases of commercial properties and all residential and commercial mortgages; including mortgages related to goods (e.g. Business assets other than land and buildings). These temporary changes are outlined below. Commercial Leases: the period in s.245(1)(a) and s.245(3)(c) of the Act, which was 10 working days, was extended to 30...

August 19, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Government Announces Further Changes To CCCFA Regulations

Written by Kelly Henderson The Government has revealed plans to loosen regulations under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA). These changes are in response to widespread criticism from brokers, borrowers, and budget advisors of the changes made by the Government in December 2021 which required stricter scrutiny of borrower’s financial health, erroneously resulting in borrowers having loan approvals withdrawn and having new loans declined based on the requirements of those regulations. The following amendments are proposed to come into force...

July 25, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Changes to New Zealand birth certificates

Every child born in New Zealand receives a birth certificate including the details surrounding the time and place, who the parents are and the sex of the child. It has always been the base document for New Zealand citizens, a confirmation of their place in the world and in the system which subsequently relies on this initial information for many legal and statistical purposes. So it must be correct. Enter the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Act 2021. The Act...

July 20, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Rollover relief to the brightline rule

The brightline property rule applies to properties purchased after 1 October 2015. It looks into what period the property was acquired and when it is being sold. If the property is sold after owning it for less than ten years, you may be obliged to pay income tax. The date that the land of the purchased property is transferred to you is the date the brightline period begins, and this date determines whether the 2, 5 or 10 year brightline period...