Our Christchurch law firm office is divided into teams.
The Property and Commercial teams deal with residential and commercial land transactions, family trusts, wills and estate planning, tax law, company law, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, commercial financing, and complex land development projects.
Our Litigation team deals with proceedings in all Courts and Tribunals, including insolvency, employment law, insurance law, criminal and family law, traffic offences, complex contractual and liability litigation. We also have specialists in family law, relationship property, and immigration.
Our main CBD office is situated at 131 Victoria Street, Christchurch and we also have fully staffed offices at Bishopdale, Ferrymead, and Wigram.The majority of the partners practise from the main office and partners are also located at each of the branches.
Saunders & Co has a broad range of clients, ranging from private individuals and families through to large companies, statutory bodies and local iwi.
Founded in 1922
200 people in their team
Saunders & Co / Our Expertise / Commercial Law
We ensure our clients have the systems and processes in place to manage risk and handle their day-to-day contracts with ease.
Expert advice is key during business formation to ensure ownership and company structures are correct. We also help clients to comply with Employment Law.
Shareholder agreements, partnership arrangements and the development of standard terms of trade are other areas of expertise. We can also assist with family estate planning considerations when these matters intersect with a new or existing business operation.
General matters such as business and property sale and purchase agreements, leasing, financing, contract administration, health and safety compliance, and succession planning are also carried out by our multi-faceted team, which can also advise on governance and board structure, mergers and acquisitions, and growth strategies.
Our criminal lawyers deal with all stages of the criminal process including entering pleas, conducting trials, and sentencing matters. We also regularly make related applications including limited licenses (work licence), applications for discharge without conviction, applications for name suppression, and applications for bail.
Please note that we are not a registered legal aid provider.
New Zealand Law Society publications:
Our criminal lawyers regularly advise on criminal charges relating to:
The employment relationship can be a difficult one if not managed correctly. Our aim in advising clients is to prevent issues from arising by giving effective, forward thinking advice at the outset. When issues do arise, we advise our clients on how to deal with these in a way that best fits, whether it be a quick and cost effective settlement or determining the dispute through the Employment Authority.
Your business may qualify for government support to help you to continue to pay your employees.
Our services include:
As family lawyers in Christchurch, our balanced approach endeavours to take the stress out of the process and find a solution that is in the best interests of our client.
We service Christchurch and the Canterbury region and our clients see us for advice on the legal implications of establishing a relationship or family, child custody and relationship property disputes and separation and divorce mediation as well as the creation of wills, and other matters that are not the subject of a dispute.
Our family lawyer service includes:
If you are contemplating moving to NZ, Saunders & Co immigration lawyers can advise on the visa that is right for your needs, and assist in preparing the appropriate paperwork for such a visa application. From the planning stages of your move to New Zealand, through to your obtaining citizenship, we can assist with every step of your migration journey.
Our Specialist immigration lawyers can speed up the New Zealand immigration process. We can help with business/investment visas; overcoming character or medical issues; the skilled migrant process and obtaining a visa as a skilled migrant.
Visiting NZ
If you are not from a country covered by visa waiver provisions, or you have unusual personal circumstances (such as health or character concerns, or you are travelling for something other than a holiday), you will most likely need to apply for a visitor visa. We can advise on whether an application needs to be made, and can assist in preparing and submitting this application.
Working in New Zealand
Are you planning on working in NZ? Have you been offered the opportunity to work in New Zealand? If so, you will need to apply for one of the several types of work visas that are available under New Zealand’s Immigration policy. Determining the most appropriate type of work visa requires an analysis of the job on offer and your existing experience and qualifications. We can advise you, and your employer, on this process to reduce the risk of your application being declined or made under the wrong category, resulting in a shorter visa and delaying your potential eligibility for residence.
Studying in New Zealand
Are you considering studying in NZ? Whether you are looking to undertake primary, secondary or tertiary study in New Zealand, we can assist in obtaining a New Zealand student visa for you or your children.
We can advise you on work rights, post-study work visa options, and visa options for family wishing to accompany international students to New Zealand.
Residency in New Zealand
Are you applying for residency? There are a number of avenues for obtaining residence in New Zealand, through skills, investment, or family connections. We encourage clients to pursue residency as soon as they are eligible to do so.
We can advise on your eligibility under residency NZ categories, and any complexities that may need to be addressed. We can represent and assist you through the often lengthy application process from start to finish, providing quality advice along every step of the way.
New Zealand Citizenship
Applying for citizenship NZ? As residence is no guarantee of citizenship, we can advise on your eligibility in this final step of the migration journey.
Unlawful Status
Have you recently had your visa declined? Are you currently unlawfully in New Zealand as a result, unable to lodge a new application and facing deportation?
It is still possible to request and obtain a new visa, and become lawful in New Zealand once more, if the correct steps are taken in a timely manner.
We can advise you on what options are available to you, and prepare the appropriate submissions based on your specific circumstances.
Employer Accreditation
Are you looking to recruit workers from overseas? Are you trying to assist an employee with their visa application? Are you interested in becoming an “Accredited Employer”?
We can advise on the most practical and cost effective options when looking to employ migrant workers, advise on staff and visa structures that will work for your company, and with the highest chance of success, while ensuring that all employment obligations are adhered to.
We also offer seminars for companies employing high numbers of migrant workers.
If you are interested in booking a seminar, or are in need of specific advice for your company or an employee, please contact us.
The Canterbury Earthquakes have raised several issues in the insurance law practice. Our team has been involved in multiple insurance claims arising from the Canterbury Earthquakes advising on policy coverage and negotiating settlements for our clients.
Outside of Earthquake related matters, we advise on what coverage is appropriate for a range of individuals and businesses.
Our insurance and earthquake related services include advising on:
Our Christchurch property lawyers and conveyancing experts provide practical advice on a range of matters, from people buying a first home or investment property to the sale and purchase of commercial properties.
We also advise on the implementation of large, complex commercial developments. We act for one of New Zealand’s largest home building companies and have extensive experience in both small and large scale subdivision work. Rural subdivisions, ownership structures and refinancing are other areas of expertise.
All clients of Saunders & Co are treated as individuals. Understanding our clients’ desired outcomes and implementing the best solutions to achieve them is a key part of our approach.
We can guide first home buyers through the entire purchase process, from the earliest documentation to handing over the keys to a new home.
For investors and developers, we offer robust advice and ensure the right structures and processes are in place. Our team works seamlessly alongside other professionals involved in client transactions such as accountants, real estate agents, surveyors, mortgage and insurance brokers. We also have our own tax lawyer and resource management lawyer on hand to assist.
For practical advice, efficient and effective service form a property lawyer, and a tailored approach, please feel free to contact one of our highly experienced Property lawyers.
Our property lawyers Christchurch services
