Gifford Devine will advise you on how to protect what you have now and for the future.  We are sensitive to our client’s needs and individual requirements and understand the tension that may occur when dealing with your assets.  Be confident your legal matters are in good hands.

Commercial property

We act for a number of landlords and tenants and are able to provide quality advice on all aspects of commercial property and financing, ownership and occupation.

- Jacqui Gray, Iain Taylor, Neil Dent, Heidi Oliver

Dispute resolution and litigation

In the event that you have a dispute, we have skilled and experienced litigators who can provide advice and advocacy to obtain/reach solutions that best fit your circumstances – whether that is advice, direct negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, or Court.

We also provide strategic risk management advice to reduce the risk of disputes in the future.

Our litigators provide advice and advocacy in areas including:

  • Company law
  • Consumer law
  • Contract
  • Copyright
  • Estate disputes
  • Fair Trading
  • Bankruptcy
  • Insurance
  • Leaky building claims
  • Negligence
  • Product Liability
  • Property issues
  • Lease issues

- Jim Ferguson, Andrew Harris, Kate Trusler

Elder law

We can advise you in all aspects of your future planning including residential care, retirement villages and asset protection.

- Jacqui Gray, Iain Taylor, Neil Dent

Employment

Our employment team can provide advice and advocacy on a full range of employment issues including:

  • Bargaining
  • Disputes and personal grievances
  • Employment agreements
  • Occupational health and safety issues
  • Performance management
  • Recruitment
  • Restructuring and redundancy
  • Transfer of business issues

- Andrew Harris, Jim Ferguson, Kate Trusler

Estates

When the inevitable occurs, we help people through stressful times following the death of a loved one.  Our caring staff will ensure that the deceased’s Estate is managed efficiently.

- Jacqui Gray, Iain Taylor, Neil Dent, Heidi Oliver, Cheryl Whitworth, Melanie Garland

Family Related Matters

We work with families from all walks of life providing discreet non-judgmental legal advice to ease difficult situations in relation to:

  • Child care including day-to-day care, contact, guardianship
  • Relationship property
  • Child support
  • Adoption
  • Separation and Dissolution of marriage
  • Claims against estates
  • Protecting the interests of the elderly and the infirm
  • Personal safety and protection

- Ingrid Squire

Mediation

Sometimes it is hard to find the common ground.  Mediation is the leading source of dispute resolution in New Zealand and our skilled negotiators are experienced mediators.  Let us find your answers. We have experienced mediators within this firm.

- Jim Ferguson, Jacqui Gray, Ingrid Squire

Powers of Attorney

Interpretation and organisation of Powers of Attorney, authorising someone to act on your behalf.  We will explain your obligations and the impact Powers of Attorney have on your property, finances and welfare.

- Jacqui Gray, Iain Taylor, Neil Dent, Heidi Oliver, Cheryl Whitworth

Property development

We can advise on all aspects of subdivision and property development assisting you from your initial concept to the issue of titles and completion.

- Jacqui Gray, Iain Taylor, Neil Dent, Heidi Oliver

Residential property

Your home is more than good memories, it is at the heart of your lifestyle and security.  Likely to be your largest asset, it makes sense to protect the sale and purchase of your home with dependable legal advice.

Gifford Devine handles all aspects of buying, selling and financing property whether the transaction is for a rental property or your own home.

- Jacqui Gray, Iain Taylor, Neil Dent, Heidi Oliver, Cheryl Whitworth, Melanie Garland

Resource Management

Our Resource Management Team can assist you with a wide variety of Resource Management matters including:

  • Applications before Local Authorities or Commissioners for consents to subdivide, develop or to discharge contaminants to land, air or water
  • Advice about oppostition to others applications before Local Authorities or Commissioners
  • Submissions and appeals on Plan changes
  • Representation before the Environment court in appeals against Local Authority or Commissioners Decisions, Plan changes, applications, prosecutions and enforcement actions

- Jim Ferguson, Kate Trusler

Trusts and Asset Protection

Trusts are an important way of protecting property and managing assets. Trusts can also be set up for charitable purposes such as education or established to benefit members of a particular family. We can outline the advantages and considerations so that you can make an informed decision.

- Jacqui Gray, Iain Taylor, Neil Dent, Heidi Oliver

Wills

Comprehensive legal advice about making your Will to accurately record your wishes.

- Jacqui Gray, Iain Taylor, Neil Dent, Heidi Oliver, Cheryl Whitworth, Melanie Garland