SAUNDERS & CO IS A FIRM OF CHRISTCHURCH LAWYERS EXPERIENCED IN COMMERCIAL AND CORPORATE MATTERS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, LITIGATION, IMMIGRATION, FAMILY, CRIMINAL , TAX, RESOURCE MANGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW.

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.

About Saunders & Co Lawyers

Founded in 1922

200 people in their team


Practice areas
Business
Criminal Defense
Employment & Labor
Family
Immigration
Insurance
Real Estate

Languages spoken
Māori
English

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Practice areas

Business

Commercial Law

Saunders & Co  /  Our Expertise  /  Commercial Law

Saunders & Co acts for commercial clients across the board, from small owner-operator businesses, through to the small to medium enterprise sector and right through to large corporate firms with multi-million dollar operations. No matter the size, we tailor our advice to suit.

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 commercial services include:

  • Buying and selling a business
  • Business restructuring
  • Buying and selling commercial property
  • Company formation
  • Financing
  • Leasing
  • Mortgagee sales
  • Personal property securities
  • Property development
  • Service Agreements
  • Distributor Agreements
  • Terms of Trade
  • Tender documents
Banking & Finance
Business Registration
Contract
Employer
Franchising
Investment
Legal Document
Licensing
Merger & Acquisition
New Business Formation
Office Solutions
Oil, Gas & Energy
Tax

Criminal Defense

If faced with criminal charges, we have experienced and highly successful criminal lawyers at Saunders & Co to help you navigate or defend the charges.

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:

  • Giving evidence
  • You and the police
  • Family violence

Our criminal lawyers regularly advise on criminal charges relating to:

  • Traffic and driving offences
  • Drug offences
  • Assaults
  • Theft and fraud
  • Sexual offences
Arrests & Searches
Bail Bond Service
Criminal Litigation
Drug Crime
Drunk Driving
Sex Crime
Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Employment & Labor

At Saunders & Co, our Employment Law team advises on all aspects of the employment relationship for both employers and employees.

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.

 

Links to our Articles

  • COVID-19 Income Support Mechanisms - Wage Subsidy Scheme
  • Lockdown 2021 - Adjusting Employee Hours / Redundancies
  • Wage Subsidy Applications Now Open - 23/8/2021
  • Managing Employees with Poor Performance
  • Employees Taking Excessive Sick Leave
  • Waitangi Day and Mondayisation
  • New Fair Pay Agreement System
  • Bereavement Leave for Pregnancy Loss
  • Costly CDHB Decision – Reminder to Employers
  • Triangular Employment Relationships
  • New Leave Scheme for Essential Workers
  • Covid-19 Wage Subsidy
  • Redundancies in Post COVID-19 Economy
  • Wage Subsidy Extension Update

Our services include:

  • Drafting and reviewing employment agreements, policies and independent contractor agreements.
  • Raising and defending personal grievance claims.
  • Representation at mediation.
  • Advising on disciplinary processes including disciplinary investigations, warnings and dismissals.
  • Advising on restructures and redundancies.
  • Managing poor performance and medical incapacity.
  • Advising on holiday pay and wage claims.
  • Drafting and advising on restraint of trade provisions.
  • Advising on privacy considerations including disclosure obligations.
  • Responding to and advising on professional complaints.
  • Commencing and defending proceedings in the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court.
  • Advising on health and safetyissues in the workplace.
Employment Rights
Hiring & Firing
Job Discrimination
Labor Law
Retirement
Sexual Harassment
Social Security
Wage & Hour
Wrongful Termination
Pension

Family

Our family lawyers have many decades of experience in managing sensitive and emotionally-charged issues involving children and property. Pre-nups, separation or divorce all can be a challenging time for people and our advice to clients aims to reflect this with an emphasis on practical and effective solutions.

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.

 

  • Living together
  • Family violence
  • What happens to your children if you part

Our family lawyer service includes:

  • Drafting and advising on contracting out agreements (“pre-nups”)
  • Relationship property issues
  • Separation Agreements
  • Domestic violence and protection orders (restraining orders)
  • Divorce
  • Enduring powers of attorney
  • Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988
  • Child care and contact / custody
  • Adoption
  • Wills
  • Estate administration
  • Family Protection Act and Testamentary Promises Act claims
Adoption
Child Abuse
Child Custody
Child Support
Child Visitation
Divorce & Separation
Domestic Violence
Marriage

Immigration

Moving to New Zealand?

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.

Asylum
Business Visa
Citizenship
Dependent Visa
Permanent Residency
Retirement Visa
Work Permit

Insurance

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:

  • Professional liability
  • Public liability
  • Home, contents, and car insurance
  • Statutory liability
  • Business interruption insurance
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
Bad Faith Insurance
Health insurance
Insurance Defense
Insurance Fraud
Life Insurance

Real Estate

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

  • Conveyancing Christchurch for residential sale and purchase
  • Assistance for first homebuyers with Kiwisaver First Home Withdrawals and HomeStart grants
  • Residential investment properties
  • Commercial property and leasing
  • Commercial developments
  • Subdivisions
  • Refinancing
  • Licences to Occupy
  • Advice on ownership structures
  • Boundary adjustments, easement and covenant issues, access and paper road issues
  • Overseas Investment Office applications
  • Tax Advice
Commercial Real Estate
Foreclosure
Housing, Construction & Development
Land Use & Zoning
Landlord & Tenant
Mortgage

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