Davenports Law

Davenports Law Davenports Law are dedicated to providing professional, crafted legal advice, for peace of mind.

Davenports Law is an innovative, friendly, client-focused law firm based on the North Shore of Auckland. We specialise in the areas of trust, property and commercial law. We are a passionate group of people that love our work and enjoy forming longstanding relationships with clients. We are also a very social firm and the purpose of this page is to share content not only relevant to legal updates, but also information from the world around us as well as what we get up to here at Davenports!

10/06/2026

A well-intentioned decision can sometimes lead to unintended consequences in estate planning.

After being appointed as his aunt’s attorney, Mark made financial decisions to support her care needs, genuinely believing he was acting in her best interests. What he did not realise was that those decisions would significantly change how her estate was distributed after she passed away.

The situation highlights the importance of being transparent and keeping family members informed about significant estate planning decisions where appropriate.

Read more here:
https://www.davenportslaw.co.nz/trust/why-clarity-and-advice-matter-in-estate-planning/

03/06/2026

Pharmacy ownership structures are facing increased regulatory scrutiny, with Medsafe placing greater emphasis on compliance with the Effective Control Principles under the Medicines Act 1981.

Areas being reviewed can include governance arrangements, voting rights, board-level control, and whether company documentation properly supports pharmacist ownership and control requirements.

Importantly, compliance concerns can often be addressed through targeted amendments to existing documentation, rather than requiring a full restructure.

Now is a good time for pharmacy companies to review their ownership and governance arrangements to ensure they remain compliant and fit for purpose.

Read more here: https://www.davenportslaw.co.nz/commercial/pharmacy-effective-control-principles-compliance/

27/05/2026

Separation doesn’t just change your relationship — it can impact your legal and financial security too.

Sam thought he had moved on after a difficult separation. He updated his will, bought a new home, and was starting a new chapter with his partner and growing family. But when a serious accident left him unable to make decisions, an important detail was overlooked.

His enduring powers of attorney were never updated which meant his ex-partner was still legally in control of his finances, business interests, and key decisions.

It’s a situation that happens more often than you might think.

When life changes, your legal documents should too. That includes:

✔️ Enduring powers of attorney
✔️ Relationship property agreements
✔️ Contracting out agreements
✔️ Ownership of shared assets or business interests

Updating your will is only part of the picture.

If you’ve been through a separation or are starting a new chapter, now is the time to review your documents and make sure they reflect your current wishes. A small step now can prevent significant stress later.

19/05/2026

In July 2025, the Government released New Zealand’s first national AI Strategy, aiming to help businesses adopt AI responsibly and boost productivity - especially for SMEs.

Key points for businesses:

⚖️ Legal clarity: Existing laws are largely technology-neutral and can accommodate AI.

📖 Responsible AI guidance: MBIE offers a Responsible AI Guidance for Business resource to help manage risks in cybersecurity, IP, procurement, and stakeholder engagement.

📈 Opportunities for SMEs: AI can automate tasks, improve customer engagement, and provide actionable data insights.

🏢 Commercial considerations: Review contracts, assess risks, engage stakeholders, and seek legal advice when AI touches regulated areas like privacy or consumer law.

This strategy is a chance for SMEs to adopt AI confidently and responsibly, unlocking growth and innovation.

Read more here: https://www.davenportslaw.co.nz/commercial/new-zealand-government-ai-strategy/

We’re pleased to welcome Rachel Young to the Davenports Law team as a Legal Executive in our Property Team.Rachel specia...
13/05/2026

We’re pleased to welcome Rachel Young to the Davenports Law team as a Legal Executive in our Property Team.

Rachel specialises in property transactions, supporting clients across a wide range of matters — from first-home buyers taking their first step onto the property ladder, to experienced property investors and developers navigating more complex transactions.

Please join us in congratulating Rachel on her new role and welcoming her to the team!

12/05/2026

It might feel easy to leave things informal — but that decision can have consequences.

When it comes to property and finances, not formalising arrangements can lead to unexpected outcomes, especially if circumstances change over time.

From family loans being treated as gifts, to unequal contributions being divided equally, the legal position doesn’t always reflect what was originally intended.

This real-life scenario highlights how easily things can unravel, and why getting the right advice early makes all the difference.

Read more here: https://www.davenportslaw.co.nz/relationship-property/cost-of-not-formalising-financial-arrangements/

Welcome back Madeleine! After expanding her skillset with overseas experience, Madeleine Masters has rejoined Davenports...
12/05/2026

Welcome back Madeleine!

After expanding her skillset with overseas experience, Madeleine Masters has rejoined Davenports Law as a Senior Solicitor in our Commercial Law team.

Madeleine specialises in both Commercial and Employment Law, advising clients on a wide range of matters, including restructuring and redundancies, employment agreements and leave entitlements.

We’re thrilled to have Madeleine return, and broaden our support for clients at Davenports Law.

05/05/2026

Buying commercial property in New Zealand is very different from buying a residential property. It involves detailed due diligence and careful review before signing an Agreement for Sale and Purchase.

Before you commit, here are some key considerations:

📄Agreement Form – Most commercial sales use the standard Auckland District Law Society Incorporated (ADLS) and Real Estate Institute of New Zealand Incorporated (REINZ) forms, sometimes a bespoke agreement can be used.

🔑The Buyer – Decide who will own the property and ensure the purchasing entity is structured correctly. Seeking legal and tax advice early helps ensure the structure is right for you.

💰GST Considerations – Many commercial properties are zero-rated, but mixed-use properties (residential and commercial) can affect the GST position. Seek tax advice to ensure you understand the GST implications.

💵 Deposit Requirements – Know when it’s payable and what conditions apply.

📝Existing leases – Is the property being sold with an existing lease? Ensure the lease terms align with the agreement.

🔧Chattels and fixtures – Be clear on what’s included in the sale.

📃Warranties – Confirm building consents and compliance certificates are in place.

🤝Agreement Conditions – Due diligence, finance, insurance, and professional reports should all be satisfied before proceeding with the purchase.

Engaging your lawyer early can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure your investment is a sound one.

We would like to congratulate Rand Abuiedeh and Sarah White on their graduations yesterday. Davenports Law is proud to s...
05/05/2026

We would like to congratulate Rand Abuiedeh and Sarah White on their graduations yesterday.

Davenports Law is proud to see both of you continuing to grow and develop in your legal careers. Your hard work and commitment are clearly reflected in this milestone, and it is fantastic to see your ongoing progress within the firm.

We look forward to supporting you as you continue to build on your success and further develop your professional journeys.

28/04/2026

Separating from a partner does not mean that your will is automatically updated – and that can have serious consequences.

In Grace’s case, she finalised relationship property and trust arrangements after separating, but never changed her will. When she unexpectedly passed away, everything was still left to her ex-partner.

Major life changes like separation, divorce, marriage, children, or new relationships should always lead to a review of your will.

It’s one of the most important legal documents you’ll ever sign and keeping it up to date can prevent unnecessary stress and conflict for your family.

Read the full article here: https://www.davenportslaw.co.nz/estate/updating-your-will-after-separation/

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