Gault Mitchell Law

PROPERTY LAW AND CONVEYANCING

Stretching back for more than 110 years, we have assisted our clients with a wide range of property law matters in the Wellington property market and beyond. We have significant experience and expertise in all aspects of property law. In fact, it is difficult to think of a property law matter that our Firm has not seen or advised on before.

Whether you are buying your first home, expanding your property empire, dealing with commercial property, carrying out a subdivision or larger development, we will apply our vast property law experience and expertise to deliver the best outcome.

Our property lawyers have expertise at every level to cater for the intricacy of your particular matter and to ensure it is handled in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Whatever your property law matter, our property lawyers will protect your interests and help you through every step in the process from the outset through to completion of the transaction.

BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL LAW

We provide sound and practical advice on business and commercial law matters for all types of businesses and structures.

Over the years, we have looked after the legal interests of many businesses (and business owners) in the Wellington region and beyond, from smaller owner-operated businesses, non-profit organisations and trade organisations, through to substantial commercial operations.

Our clients operate across a broad range of industries and continue to benefit from our in-depth knowledge of the business law environment. Our clients trust our sound and practical business and commercial law advice, which enables them to focus on making their business as strong and profitable as it can be.

Our business lawyers have significant experience and expertise in all areas of business and commercial law. Whatever your commercial interests may be, we are able to guide you on all legal matters to successfully establish, operate, develop, acquire and sell businesses.

RELATIONSHIP PROPERTY AND FAMILY LAW

We draft and advise on relationship property agreements and help to negotiate fair and reasonable settlements. Our family lawyers are also able to provide expert advice on situations involving children.

Matters involving relationship property and family are often emotionally charged and challenging for people to address.

We understand these challenges. We take the time to firstly find out what is important to you before explaining the legal position and determining how we can achieve the best outcome to suit your circumstances.

We assist people who are separating or entering into a new relationship to understand the implications of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976. A Relationship Property Agreement may be appropriate, which allows you to set your own rules about the ownership of your property and the arrangements for division in the event your relationship ends.

Our family lawyers specialise in divorce law and separation. In the event of separation, we can help negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement with a former partner, including providing advice in regard to the ongoing care arrangements for any children.

However, where a fair and reasonable settlement is not possible, we can advise you of your Court options and represent you at all stages of the Court process.

Our Wellington family lawyers have the expertise and experience to protect your interests and to guide you to a solution in whatever relationship property or family law matter you are dealing with.

CIVIL LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

We advise on a variety of litigation matters every day, and ensure that you are properly informed of the available options and the costs associated with each approach.

We provide advice on almost all types of disputes – from assisting with family dispute resolution, to claims against Trustees to commercial or property disputes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars – and we follow up on that advice by acting for you in all steps necessary to resolve matters, whether by negotiation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) or court action.

Negotiation and ADR options such as mediation and arbitration are often faster and more cost-effective options and are particularly relevant where the parties want to try and preserve their personal or working relationship whilst resolving the dispute. We can advise you on the pros-and-cons of each option and attend any negotiation mediation or arbitration with you.

In other situations, it is in your best interest to take Court action. We regularly appear in the High Court and District Court around New Zealand, sometimes at very short notice. Whatever your situation or the reason for the Court action, we ensure your case is put forward strongly and effectively.

We also recognise that you may want to bring your own claim, particularly in the Disputes Tribunal. We can tell you what to expect, help you prepare and draft or review what you are going to submit or present.

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Our Employment Lawyers are experts in establishing, maintaining and terminating employment relationships for both Employers and Employees.

We advise a wide range of clients in Wellington and around New Zealand on all aspects of employment law, as well as holiday pay and health and safety issues.

If you are an Employer, we can provide you with employment agreements and policies that are tailored to your particular business requirements and we can keep you updated about the ever-changing legal requirements to help you disputes and personal grievance claims.

We also provide letters, forms and checklists to help you comply with the procedural requirements relating to warnings or dismissals (including by way of redundancy).

If you are an Employee, we can review your employment agreements and ensure that the terms and conditions offered to you are fair and reasonable, and appropriately reflect what you are expected to do for the Employer.

If employment problems arise, we provide pragmatic advice about the legal position and possible solutions. In our experience, it is normally in both parties’ interests to resolve any problems quickly and we encourage our clients to contact us to discuss any issues or queries they may have as soon as possible.

Our employment lawyers represent both Employers and Employees at disciplinary meetings and provide advice and representation at mediations. If the dispute is still not resolved, we can appear with you in the
Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court.