Property Transaction Guidelines

David has been instrumental in the revision of the Guidelines adopted by the Property Law Section of NZLS and ADLS Inc for incorporation in the latest edition of its widely used agreement for sale and purchase of real estate.

The Guidelines assist the day to day smooth running of transactions involving the sale and purchase of properties, the registration of mortgages and their subsequent discharge and relationship property protocols.

Many of the Guidelines are of a technical nature. However there is much in them that help all law firm clients – including Northlaw’s – understand the matters considered when we act in respect of property transactions.

Here is a link to the 80 page edition of the Guidelines (updated and operating from 13 April 2015):

http://www.lawsociety.org.nz/law-society-services/law-society-branches/auckland/documents/Property-Transactions-and-E-Dealing-Practice-Guidelines-amended-April-2015.pdf

David’s specialist expertise recognised

The NZ Law Society’s Property Law Section identifies and recognises lawyers who have particular expertise in Property Law. David has qualified as an Accredited Specialist for some time. From the 2018-2019 year, additional criteria apply for confirming the annual accreditation. These include that the lawyer; has practised for 10 or ... Read more →
Why we need to ask you for information

Strict new Anti Money Laundering legal requirements apply from 1 July 2018 and we may need to ask you for additional information ... Read more →
David re-elected

David’s knowledge and contribution to the profession have again been recognised. He has been re-elected to a 3rd term,2018-2021, and will continue his work in this his 7th year, on the Executive Committee of the NZLS Property Law Section. The Executive Committee represents the 1400 lawyers who are voluntary paid ... Read more →
David’s Life and Interests – a Biography

Brave women, Strongman and Pike River mines, Land Rovers, little French cars, County Monaghan, Earnslaugh, Mangatainoka, Martinborough, Dan, Griz, Sue and Minty and James K Baxter and more….. Read a little more of David’s life and interests in this wonderful piece penned by Jock Anderson for the NZ Law Society ... Read more →
Types Of Wills

In this the second of the series of Articles taken from David’s paper (Will your will work well”) David describes and explains various types of Wills Under our will we appoint executors (who become trustees if administration of our estate goes beyond the “executors year”) to get in our assets, ... Read more →

Purchasers beware approving early release of the deposit

December 2015

It is always in the interests of vendors to get their hands on their purchaser’s deposit payments as soon as they can. Why? After deduction of land agent commission, the balance can be used to repay part of the mortgage prior to settlement and save some interest. Also possession of the deposit gives additional power to the vendors in any dispute.

Unless the parties agree otherwise, there is a statutory minimum of 10 working days where the agent must hold the deposit.

New Tax Compliance measures impact on the Transfer of Property (Conveyancing) process

October 2015

The Government has made changes to improve Tax Compliance in the property sector. These will have a significant impact where we are transferring property for our clients. We are now required to provide tax information by way of a “Tax Statement” to Land information NZ (LINZ) who will then provide this to IRD. A transfer of land will not be able to be actioned unless the required information is provided.

We will therefore now need a lot more detail from our clients than we are presently obtaining.