May 5, 2020 In Bramwell Bate News By Adam Harris

AML/CFT Identify Verification during COVID-19

Since 1 July 2018, lawyers have been subject to New Zealand’s anti-money laundering regime contained in the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (“the Act”). Under the Act, lawyers must complete customer due diligence (“CDD”) or “know your customer” investigations on clients. During COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and 4, the ability to identify clients and verify client information in line with AML legislation is proving a challenge. AML supervisors have released a joint statement to provide guidance to AML reporting...

April 22, 2020 In Bramwell Bate News By Bate Hallett

Settlements and satisfaction of conditions during COVID-19 Alert Level 3

Since the country went into COVID-19 Alert Level 4 on March 25, 2020, only a small number of conveyancing transactions have been settled, primarily due to the inability for the parties to be able to physically vacate or take possession of the property. While the country will still be under significant restrictions at Alert Level 3, Bramwell Bate are continuing to work remotely and it will be possible to progress some transactions further than we could during Alert Level 4. At...

April 20, 2020 In Bramwell Bate News By Adam Harris

Shared Care During COVID-19 Lockdown

Sharing the care of your children when separated can be challenging in the best of times. Some parents will have informal care arrangements while others may have a Parenting Order which determines the care and contact arrangements. Whatever the arrangement you have in place, it requires good communication and a degree of trust between parents. Children need to move between different households which may include living with other adults and children. During COVID-19 Alert Level 4 this has raised several questions...