People often get confused by the way we lawyers speak. Part of our job is to communicate with you in a way you understand, not to sound smarter than we are. We try our best to break it down in a way that you can understand, but sometimes we can’t avoid it, especially when the jargon comes from a contract, legislation, or Land Information New Zealand requirements. Knowing what these terms mean is important to ensure that you understand your options and rights, a deadline is not missed, or you do not walk out of a meeting expecting a different outcome. It does not help that some of our jargon is different to America and what you see on television. I asked my friends and family what terms they hear me using and think “I have no idea what you are on about”, and I have collated them and translated them. These are just a few examples. Contact one of our esteemed legal professionals if you have any other specific questions for a breakdown. Legal jargon and their translation Client The individual or entity receiving legal advice or representation. Solicitor/Barrister A person who has completed the educational qualifications and character requirements to be admitted to the “bar and holds a practising certificate”. Generally referred to as a lawyer. In New Zealand, unlike in some other countries, all solicitors are also barristers. Caveat A formal notice lodged on a property title to protect your interest in the property. It acts like a flag on the property title, preventing the registered owner from doing anything with the property until the caveat is removed. Intestate When someone dies without leaving a valid will. Memorandum A formal written document that is filed in court proceedings, used to talk to a judge, generally setting out your position or proposed next steps. Often referred to as a memo. Probate The legal process of obtaining a grant from the High Court of New Zealand to allow the executor to administer the deceased's will. This application is only required if the deceased has one asset valued at more than $40,000. Attorney A person you appoint to make decisions and/or manage your property on your behalf. This can either be from the date you sign your Enduring Power of Attorney documents or come into force once you lose capacity. In America, an attorney is a qualified lawyer. Executor The person named in a will who is responsible for administering and distributing the estate. Deed A formal written document that is signed and witnessed in a particular format. A Deed, unlike a contract, does not require each party to give or promise something in return(consideration). Common types are a Deed of Trust or a Deed of Lease. Affidavit Your written statement of facts is used as your evidence in legal proceedings. By signing, you swear (on the bible) or affirm (make a solemn declaration) that the contents are true. Purchaser The party buying the goods or services from another party. Vendor The party selling the goods or services to another party. Tenants In Common A way for two or more people to own property together in defined shares. Record of Title The land record that proves ownership of land and the rights and restrictions that apply to the land. Chattels Moveable items of personal property. Things you can pick up and take with you. Conveyancing The legal process of transferring property ownership from a seller to a buyer. Counsel The lawyer providing the legal advice and representation in court. Covenant A legally binding agreement against your property title that dictates how you can use, develop, or maintain your land. Disclosure The legal obligation to provide all relevant information and documents to another party.
If you manage a rental, there’s a date worth marking. As of 29 June 2026, bond transactions will go digital and paper forms will be phased out. This follows Tenancy Services’ announcement that after this date, they will be moving remaining bond transactions online through their portal ‘ Bond Hub ’. What’s changing? Refunds Change of tenant Change of landlord Viewing/updating your details Registration of bonds moved online in December 2025, paving the way for these other services to follow. The benefits of these changes Faster - Once all parties agree, transactions can be processed straight away Simpler - No paperwork or manual handling More reliable - Fewer errors and delays, with easier fixes More transparent - Track progress in real time Instead of waiting weeks for a posted paper refund form, or out of date contact details affecting slow communications, tenancy transactions can be processed quickly online. Both parties can keep a record of bond transactions. For example, tenants decide to move out, and you are asked for a bond refund. You can complete this process online as agreed, and the money is released quickly, making for a seamless transaction. This will help landlords in those hurried weeks where tenants move out to get everything sorted. When processing a bond refund, it would be sensible to agree on a bond refund amount before lodging to avoid creating extra work for yourself. Tenancy Services won’t be processing bulk change of landlord requests going forward. These will need to be registered individually through their self-service function on Bond Hub or your property management software if it supports this. You will need to get registered with Bond Hub if you haven’t already and familiarise yourself with the changes. You may already be using existing property management software with refund functionality built into its system and wondering how these services will interact. It would be sensible to discuss this with your current property management software provider to understand what these changes mean for you. What you should do now Register for Bond Hub Review how you are currently communicating with your tenants Complete bond transactions through Bond Hub going forward What to tell your tenants Register for Bond Hub Communicate that bond transactions will be completed through Bond Hub going forward Encourage tenants to keep their email addresses and phone numbers up to date on Bond Hub Ask tenants to keep their tenant number somewhere safe In the Hawke’s Bay, we know many local landlords handle their tenancies themselves. These changes will have great benefits for you. Getting set up early will help avoid a chaotic few weeks after 29 June 2026. As with any changes, there’ll be a learning curve. However, the process should be more streamlined once you’re set up. Our team are happy to guide landlords through the new tenancy processes. If you have any questions regarding your obligations as a landlord, we’re here to help.
When a business changes hands, the headlines are usually about the sale price. But the true value of any deal is determined well before and long after that number is agreed. The steps that protect your interests and secure long-term value happen off the front page. Here are the four areas that most often determine whether a deal succeeds or falls short. Thorough due diligence Financial performance is just one part of the picture. A thorough due diligence process should examine contracts, compliance, and liabilities. Employment agreements, tax obligations, and regulatory responsibilities all need careful review. Deals can look good on paper, but if businesses have unresolved issues buried in their contracts, these issues can quickly become costly if they’re not identified early. The goal is not to tick boxes, but to uncover risks before they become your liability. Cultural and people fit A sale or acquisition isn’t just a financial transaction. It’s a human one. Misaligned values, management styles, or staff expectations are among the most common reasons deals fail to deliver on their promise. Morale, retention, and productivity all suffer when people on both sides of the transaction are not brought along carefully. Understanding how a business operates, what drives the team, how decisions are made, and what the culture expects is essential for a successful handover. Regulatory and compliance sign-offs Depending on the nature of the deal, you may need approval from regulatory bodies. This could include the Commerce Commission for competition law, the Overseas Investment Office if foreign ownership is involved, or sector-specific regulators such as the Financial Markets Authority or Ministry for Primary Industries. These processes take time and approval is not guaranteed. Engaging legal counsel at the outset keeps the transaction on track. Post-deal integration Once the sale is complete, the real work begins. Integrating systems, updating branding, and communicating with customers all require planning. If these steps are rushed or overlooked, it can lead to confusion, disruption, and lost business. Integration planning should begin before the deal is finalised, not after. Decisions about payroll, IT systems, customer communications, and supplier relationships all benefit from early attention. A well-prepared plan signals stability and protects the goodwill that makes the business worth acquiring in the first place. The businesses that get the most from a sale or acquisition are those that treat the process as more than a transaction. They invest in due diligence, manage the human dimensions carefully, address regulatory requirements proactively, and plan integration from the outset. Expert legal, financial, and operational advice, sought early in the transaction, makes this possible. Willis Legal has advised on business sales and acquisitions across a range of sectors and deal structures. We bring practical, commercially focused legal advice to every stage of the transaction. From initial structuring and due diligence through to settlement and beyond, we’re here to support our clients throughout their journey. If you are considering buying or selling a business, contact our team to discuss how we can help you achieve the outcome you are looking for.
