Commercial business law

Does New Zealand need franchise-specific legislation?
Following a series of alleged franchising scams earlier this year, the government is seeking feedback on whether there is a sufficient level of concern in the market to warrant introducing franchise-specific legislation.

Chinese checkmate: why Sydney stopovers could be fatal for free trade
In this article, Bell Gully solicitor Campbell Pentney highlights a potential issue for New Zealand businesses that import Chinese-made goods via another country, especially Australia, to be aware of if they are to take full advantage of the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement.

Flexible working rights a reality
In June, legislation came into force which gives many employees the right to request flexible working arrangements - a small step towards achieving what has become the Holy Grail of the modern workplace: work-life balance.

eDealing update
Bell Gully has been using Land Information New Zealand's (LINZ) Landonline online electronic system for registering land title documents since the beginning of 2007. Since that time, there have been a number of developments that have improved Landonline's functionality and increased the number of land title instruments that can be registered electronically using the system. LINZ introduces these developments as periodic "Releases" from time to time.

Enquiries and information

For more information on any of the cases, articles and features in Commercial Quarterly, please email Diane Graham or call her on 64 9 916 8849.