Company Law

An update on corporate governance in the wake of the credit crisis
A number of recent reports have identified deficiencies in the corporate governance practices of many failed companies. These findings include deficient risk management practices, weaknesses in board composition and the failure of non-executive directors and shareholders to effectively monitor decisions of the board. In this article, partner Andrew Brown and solicitor Sophie Gladwell take a closer look at some of these reports and highlight some key findings for New Zealand companies' corporate governance practices.

Strict liability for directors and employees under Fair Trading Act confirmed
In this article, senior associate Peter Jenkins and solicitor Nick Christiansen outline why individuals can expect to be held personally and strictly liable for breaches of consumer legislation following a recent Court of Appeal decision which confirmed a broad approach to liability in a leaky building case.

No scope for shirking directors' duties
A recent High Court case highlights how important it is for non-executive directors to understand the extent of their statutory obligations and take an active role in ensuring that appropriate corporate governance practices are in place.

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.