Insight / Dispute Resolution When can farm debt mediation be bypassed? High Court provides first guidance The High Court has allowed a secured creditor to appoint receivers over farm property without first completing mandatory farm debt mediation. We look at the circumstances that justified this unusual step and what the decision means for farm creditors and debtors. Read more
Insight / Dispute Resolution Cross-leases, renovations and neighbour disputes — a shift in approach The Court of Appeal has confirmed a significant shift in how cross-lease renovation disputes will be assessed. The decision strengthens individual property rights and limits when neighbours can reasonably withhold consent to proposed works. Read more
Insight / Dispute Resolution Decision emphasises importance of defining scope of arbitrator’s jurisdiction In Galbraith v Global Metal Solutions Limited [2026] NZHC 382, the High Court considered whether an arbitrator retained jurisdiction to determine a new but related dispute that arose after he had issued his awards on the matters originally before him. Read more
Insight / Dispute Resolution High Court clarifies procedure for interim relief for disputes pending arbitration The High Court has clarified the procedural steps in relation to staying court proceedings pending arbitration under a contractual provision, as well as the availability of interim relief for plaintiffs in those circumstances in Pindur v Koffeman [2025] NZHC 3458. Read more
Insight / Dispute Resolution The what, why and how of legal professional privilege in New Zealand Legal privilege allows clients to communicate openly with their legal advisors, confident that what they discuss will remain confidential and protected from disclosure to both other parties and the public, without their consent. Read more
Insight / Dispute Resolution Submissions open for innovative proposed adjudication framework The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is consulting on a “world first” statutory adjudication framework aimed at providing businesses with a fast, efficient and cost-effective alternative to resolve disputes. Modelled on the adjudication framework under the Construction Contracts Act 2002 (CCA), the proposal would transform how civil commercial disputes are handled by implementing a prescribed statutory process. Read more
