Artificial intelligence (AI) has developed from a futuristic concept to a mainstream tool used by many businesses on a daily basis. The exponential growth of AI in recent months/years is hard to miss, with various industries adopting the technology to streamline operations and boost productivity.
Separating from your partner or spouse can be one of life’s most stressful and challenging experiences. At Simpson Western, our dedicated Relationships team understands what you’re going through. We’re experienced, empathetic lawyers committed to guiding you through every step of the process. Our goal is to make things simpler and ensure you achieve the best possible outcome. In this article, we answer the questions we’re most often asked by clients facing separation. How do you separate from your partner in NZ? There’s no formal legal process required to “separate” in New Zealand. You simply need to live apart with the intention…
The government recently announced a reform to the Overseas Investment Act 2005 that would allow overseas residents with a New Zealand investor residence visa to buy or build a property to the value of $5 million-plus. Currently, overseas residents and investors are largely restricted from purchasing or building property in New Zealand.
The general rule of thumb when you buy a property is that the more information you can find out about the property, the better. Sometimes, the information you are interested in will be offered by the seller or their real estate agent. Can you rely as much on information obtained from these parties as you could using a third party?
Two of the most important considerations for parties to a commercial lease are, ‘What is the annual rent?’ and ‘How and when can the rental amount be reviewed?’ The answers are always found in the deed of lease for the premises.
When you buy a house in your own name, and you need a loan to do it, you will be the borrower, the owner and the security provider (mortgagor). In some situations, these are different people. For example, the owners might be the trustees of a trust, but the borrower is an individual. This does, however, make things complicated from the lender’s perspective, as this article will explore.
If your family member is losing capacity and has an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) in place, you will be reassured that their attorney is working in your loved one’s best interests. Very occasionally, however, this isn’t the case. In this article, we look at how an EPA works and what can be done if you believe the attorney is not doing their job properly.
Being an executor is a big responsibility, and it is not always over when you think it has been completed. If you are considering who to name as executor in your will, you should be aware that the role is very important and can last longer than expected.
First introduced in 2019, healthy home standards are the minimum legal standards expected of rental properties in New Zealand. Since 1 July 2025, all landlords are responsible for ensuring their rental properties comply with healthy homes standards (and continue to comply with them over time).
If you are buying a property and intending to live in it, one of the first things that you should ensure is that the property is being sold with vacant possession. But what does it mean?
