MDS Law

Company and Business Law

We can make doing business easier. Our specialist commercial team has solid expertise across a range of business law issues including contracts, business structuring, finance, governance, terms of trade, employment and intellectual property.

We advise on:

Commercial Matters

• General business advice and corporate strategy.
• Advice on compliance with commercial law and legislation in New Zealand and internationally (eg. Companies Act, Personal Property Securities Act, Consumer Guarantees Act, Fair Trading Act, etc).
• Business Governance.
• Commercial dispute resolution.
• Trade mark, copyright and protection of intellectual property.

Contracts

• Buying and selling businesses.
• Distribution and licence agreements.
• Employment and independent contractor agreements.
• Franchising.
• Leasing.
• Shareholder and partnership agreements.
• Terms of trade.

Business Structures

• Formation and incorporation of companies.
• Joint ventures.
• Partnerships.
• Trading trusts.

Securities Law

• Compliance with Securities Act and Regulations.
• Prospectus and Investment Statements.

Employment Law

From the outset, we work to ensure our clients are entering into an employment agreement well advised and the contract structured to achieve a harmonious employment relationship in the future.

When it comes to dealing with disputes that do arise, our approach is to give our clients every opportunity to work towards a mutually acceptable outome.

We advise on: 

• Disciplinary procedures.
• Holiday, retirement and parental leave issues.
• Human rights, discrimination and disability compliance.
• Individual and collective employment contracts.
• Occupational Safety and Health.
• Procedures for hiring and dismissing employees.
• Redundancy and restructuring.
• Resolving and negotiating employment disputes.
• Sexual harassment in employment.
• The Privacy Act 1993.

Estate Planning and Administration

We can help you plan for the future and to ensure that a person's wishes as set out in their Will are carried out.  We have an experienced team who can guide you through the death of a loved family member with empathy and  care but also practically without fuss. 

We can provide solid and  practical advice on asset planning and the assurance of an efficient, professional and sympathetic service in the administration of your estate.

We advise on: 

• Asset protection planning.
• Estate planning.
• Enduring powers of attorney.
• Will preparation.
• Estate administration.
• Formation and use of family trusts.

Intellectual Property

We advise on intellectual property law issues and can assist you when it comes to protecting your rights. We have worked with businesses both large and small and assisted individuals develop appropriate ownership structures for their products as well as advising them as they commercialise their offering and bring it to the marketplace.

We advise on:

• Commercialisation
• Business Structuring
• Licensing
• Trademark registration
• Protection of copyright

Property Law

{mds} law has an experienced team of legal advisors providing service in both commercial and residential areas. If you are buying, selling, leasing, subdividing, building or renting, our experienced team can help you achieve the right outcome.

We advise on: 

Commercial Property

• Buying and selling of commercial and industrial land.
• Commercial and industrial subdivisions.
• Commercial lease drafting and negotiation.
• Earthquake damage and Insurance claims and settlement.
• Overseas Investment Commission consent applications.
• Property development.
• Rent review disputes and mediation.
• Sub-leases.

Residential Property

• Bank finance and mortgages.
• Building contracts.
• Earthquake damage and Insurance claims and settlement.
• Residential subdivision and section purchases.
• Residential tenancies.
• Sale and purchase agreements.
• Unit titles and cross leases.

Rural Property

• Buying and selling farms.
• Farm and forestry leases.
• Fencing and boundary disputes.
• Rural subdivision.
• Water and access consents.