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These are certainly unusual times. We have all now experienced enforced isolation into bubbles. The freedoms that we previously took for granted have been severely restricted. It is at times like this that we give support to family, the elderly, neighbours and friends.

Support comes in many forms. It can be as little as video conferencing with adult children to check that all is well with them, as we have been for cyber drinks at the end of a Friday. It can be attending to shopping and other needs for elderly parents, as Sue has for her elderly father. I know that you will all have similar but differing stories.

Supporting you remotely

We’ve also been focusing on supporting our clients. Due to our earthquake experience we have been well-prepared for working from home and have been able to continue attending to clients’ legal needs.

Technology has come into its own to allow us to carry out our regular work remotely. The Courts continue to sit, and legislation has been rushed through to enable affidavits and other documents to be signed using audio visual means.

Supporting businesses

We have been advising self-employed clients and businesses in relation to the assistance packages available through Work & Income and the banks and otherwise assisting them with their needs.

Both commercial landlords and tenants have negotiated reduced rentals in a number of cases. The government is passing legislation aimed at extending notice times to defaulting tenants and mortgagors and this will apply retrospectively.

A lot of businesses have only just returned to work and many are still to start up again. This will have a devastating effect for many of them. Some may not be able to recommence. If you need advice about your business get it early while steps can be implemented to help.  Don’t leave it until it is too late and becomes irretrievable.

In troubled times it is important that your personal legal arrangements are in order. We are available by email, phone or audio visual conference to assist and cater for your needs, be it trusts, estates, wills, property or otherwise. For those of you with Family Trusts a new Trusts Act was passed last year and comes into force on 30 January 2021. We will be in touch to provide recommendations over the coming months.

Unfortunately it seems we are headed for harder times. The double to the pandemic will be recession. In a discussion with our bankers, ANZ, they confirmed that they are picking recession may be felt from as early as the end of May. Our economy will suffer the effects of overseas influences and the severity of what occurs will depend on what other measures the government puts in place.

In my career, I have operated through and survived the Second Oil Shock 1979 -82, the 1991 - 92 Recession, the Asian Crisis 1997- 99 and the Global Financial Crisis 2008. We know how to operate in a bear market and will happily pass on the benefit of our experience to our clients.

Well, that’s our news for now. Please keep in contact and remember to talk with us—we’re here to help.

Regards,

Clive, Grant and the Team at Canterbury Legal