Allister Doo - Business & Property Lawyer

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Allister Doo - Business & Property Lawyer

I work with clients to solve their legal issues and add value to their business.
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28/04/2026

26 April 26 was 🌏 World Intellectual Property Day.

👉 Do you know what IP you have in your Business ?
👉 and is that IP protected ?

IP is a valuable 💰 part of your Business.
🔸 You need to know what IP you have. It could be for example ideas, concepts, systems, designs or ™️ trade marks.
🔸 Then you need to ensure that IP is protected from being copied, exploited or otherwise used by third parties.

22/04/2026

Are you buying or selling a 🏡 Property ?

Are you using the latest form of 📃 Agreement for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate ?

🔸 This week The Law Association of NZ and REINZ are releasing a new version of the standard 📃 Agreement for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate.

👉 Make sure you are using the latest form and are aware of the changes made in the latest version of the document.

12/04/2026

Do you have an Independent Contractor working in your Business❓

Are you sure they are an Independent Contractor❓

👉 Since February 2026 there is a new test to determine if a worker is an Independent Contractor. The requirements for the new test are outlined in the attached.

You are recommended to check:
🔸 you have agreements with your Contractors; and
🔸 those agreements meet the requirements of the new test.

10/02/2026

What happens to my 📃 will if I get married ❓

🔸 If you get 💒 married or enter into a civil union your will is treated as being revoked ❌ so is no longer valid.

🔸 The only exception to this is if the 📝 will was made in contemplation of the marriage or civil union.

👉 Therefore if you get married you should update your will to ensure it is still valid.

In any event, you are recommended to review your will whenever you have a major life event and every few years.

22/01/2026

If this is your idea of Dispute Resolution 👉 there is an alternative.

On 24 January 2026 the maximum limit for claims in the Disputes Tribunal will increase ⬆️ from $30,000 to $60,000.

This will allow claims of a 💰 higher amount to be heard in the Disputes Tribunal.

The Disputes Tribunal may be a suitable forum to resolve your dispute as it is usually quicker and ⬇️ cheaper than other more formal court processes.

Parties are not allowed to have lawyers appear for them in the Tribunal which greatly reduces 💲 costs.

05/10/2025

Be careful of Unsolicited Emails 📩 about protection of trade marks ™️

🔹 I have had a few clients received unsolicited emails 📢 telling them they need to act urgently to protect their ™️ trade mark.

🔹 The emails appear to be from another lawyer or intellectual property attorney and look somewhat convincing 🤔 .

❌ However, most of these emails are SCAMS and you should 🛑 delete the email and 🫸 block the sender.

➡️ Never be rushed into action in response to an email and be careful out there.

20/08/2025

When I am buying a 🏠 house do I need to order my own LIM Report ?

It is common for agents to provide a Land Information Memorandum (LIM) Report to prospective buyers.

Is it alright for buyers to rely on the vendor/agent’s LIM Report ❓or should they order their own LIM report ❓

It is best practice for buyers to order their own LIM report. This is because:

🔸 If you wish to hold Council to account for any information in the LIM report, you can only do so if the LIM report is in your name.

🔸 There has been at least one case of a vendor altering a LIM report to remove a reference to the property being subject to weathertightness issues.

08/05/2025

What do you do if you are a 🏡 house Buyer and there are issues in your 📃 Building report ?

If you are buying a house and have a 📝 signed agreement with a building condition then you should obtain a written building report from a suitably qualified 🛠️ building inspector.

If the building report reveals some problems with the house then you may:
🔸 Cancel the agreement; or
🔸 Negotiate with the vendor. For example:
- request that the vendor carry out remedial works to fix the problems; or
- ask for a 🔻 price reduction due to the problems.

If the vendor does not agree to carry out the remedial works or to a price reduction then you may either:
🔹 Still continue to purchase the property regardless of the problems; or
🔹 Cancel the agreement.

01/05/2025

Is it possible for a Tenant to get out of their 🏢 Commercial Lease early.

A Commercial lease is usually for a 📅 fixed term. Is it possible for the Tenant to cancel the Lease early - before the end of the term ?

The answer is generally ❌ No this is not possible. However, the Tenant may try to:

🔸 Negotiate with the Landlord a mutual agreement to cancel the Lease, perhaps upon payment 💲 of a certain amount by the Tenant; or
🔸 Assign the lease to a new Tenant. The Tenant will need to follow the procedures in the Lease and obtain the ✅ consent of the Landlord to the assignment of the Lease.

09/04/2025

Do you have a 📝 will in place ?
If Yes that is great - but when did you last 👀 review it ?

I have been assisting a client with reviewing their will signed about 13 years ago.

As you can imagine a number of updates to the will were required as:
🔸 The client’s personal circumstances had changed;
🔸 Some people who benefited under the will had passed away;
🔸 The client had lost touch with some friends who benefited under the will and she had new people she wanted to leave something to in her will.

Make sure you have a will in place and you update it:
🔹 at regular intervals; and
🔹 when key events happen in your life.

Address

3/187 Broadway
Auckland
1023

Website

https://www.blackwells-law.co.nz/partners_allister_doo.html

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