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November 6, 2019 In Bramwell Bate News By Bate Hallett

Snippets

The role of the executor Often when you are asked to be the executor of a will, you accept the role without truly knowing its parameters. While not wishing to deter anyone from accepting the responsibility to carry out this very important role, you must understand what it entails. When a member of the family or a close friend asks you to be the executor of his or her will, you should seek some legal advice before you say yes. Often the words ‘executor and trustee’ of the will are included together. The roles are often combined these days, with the trustee...

November 6, 2019 In Bramwell Bate News By Bate Hallett

Further change to gun laws

Following the amendments to the Arms Act 1983 (“the Act”) that came into force on 11 April 2019, a second tranche of proposed changes, the Arms Legislation Bill (“the Bill”), is currently under review by the Select Committee. This next step in the reform of the Act looks to establish a firearms registry and amend licensing requirements with the intention of reinforcing positive behaviour that is required of firearms owners. Not much is currently known about the firearms in New Zealand in respect of how many there are (legally), who has them, who is buying and selling, and how secure the...

November 6, 2019 In Bramwell Bate News By Bate Hallett

Bringing the Adoption Act into modern times

The New Zealand Adoption Act 1955 (“the Act”) has been widely viewed as being in need of an overhaul to bring it up to date with the modern times. In 2016 the Human Rights Review Tribunal ruled that sections of the Act were discriminatory and outdated. This article will take a closer look at the specifics of the Act that are not in keeping with today’s New Zealand. Surrogacy - The Act sees the natural mother (the woman who births the child) as the legal guardian of the child. The natural mother is named on the birth certificate and her partner,...