Pro Legal

Redesigning the way we work

COVID-19 has, in many respects, fast-forwarded changes that had been occurring slowly for years — it’s a big impact change that provided a platform to create a true shift in the way many businesses operate. We have seen the signposting for this change cycle of increased business flexibility via the rapid escalation and uptake of cloud based products such as Xero...

Pro Legal

Who’s responsible/ The uncertainty of business liability when a cyber attack strikes

As technology continues to dominate everyday activity, the risk of cyber-attacks occurring also increases. Businesses, irrespective of their size, are becoming more vulnerable to the menace of cyber-attacks. Ransomware, malware, and broad sweeping data breaches are only a handful of the growing categories of cyber-attacks prevalent in today’s market. As the threat rises, questions of business liability because of an...

Return of the Brains trust

If there is a silver lining when talking about the global COVID-19 pandemic, it has to be the return to our shores of thousands of highly skilled Kiwis. For years, New Zealand has been a casualty of what has been termed ‘brain drain’, as highly qualified New Zealanders left in search of opportunities aboard. Recent figures show that over 50,000...

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Employers need to balance growth with volatility from COVID-19

No doubt we are all spending a lot of time considering what sort of year 2021 will be. New Zealand has been very fortunate compared to the rest of the world, however, there are still plenty of challenges we are facing particularly for those in certain industries such as tourism and events, most recently highlighted by the cancellation of the...

Putting your best foot forward in a booming property market

By Anna Bernie The COVID-19 pandemic has created a great deal of economic uncertainty both globally and in New Zealand. During the lockdown in April and May 2020 we were all questioning how the housing market would be impacted. Contrary to the expectations of some commentators, the NZ housing market has been booming since the end of lockdown. Whether this...

A timely reminder to review your affairs

As we slowly return to our day to day routines following the COVID-19 lockdown, it’s a good time to reflect on the lessons learnt from the paired back existence we experienced during these unprecedented times. One of the overwhelming messages to come out of the lockdown, was an even greater appreciation of our families and our desire to protect them....

More compliance for Trusts

In my last article, I summarised some of the key changes to Trust Law arising from the Trusts Act 2019, which comes into force on 30 January 2021. One of the key changes. The Act aims to make trusts more accessible and to strengthen the ability of beneficiaries to hold trustees to account. In doing this, the Act increases compliance...

New Trust Act – are you prepared?

On 30 July 2019, the Trust Act 2019 received Royal Assent signalling a modernisation of trust legislation that, given the number of trusts in New Zealand, we should all be aware of. The new Act will replace the Trustee Act 1956 and its purpose is to make the law more accessible to both trustees and beneficiaries of trusts. Significantly the...

Expanding your business? Proceed carefully …

It’s great to see Hawke’s Bay’s economy steaming ahead and to notice lots of positive signs that our business environment is thriving.As your business improves and demand increases you may be thinking about expanding by hiring new staff. Before you start making offers however there have been a number of changes to employment law recently that you need to be...

Business Ownership — preparing your exit strategy

It is common that an aspect of a business owner’s retirement plan is to sell the business and to use the proceeds to fund their retirement. It is important that thought and planning be given to the “exit strategy” so that when it comes time to sell the business, it is in the best shape. This is particularly important in...