Questions for lawyers Found 360

We are about to sign a contract with a builder for a new home and have been given a short document that looks quite informal. Are there any legal requirements for the contract, and what protections do we get?

I got carried away and bought a property at an auction last weekend, and now I am having second thoughts about the price and some issues that I noticed. Can I cancel, and how does an auction purchase differ from a normal offer?

I have just inherited a sum of money and some shares from a relative’s estate. Someone told me that inheritances are taxed heavily in some countries. Do I have to pay any tax on what I receive in New Zealand?

My co-director is rarely available, misses meetings and is not contributing, but is also a shareholder. I would like to remove them from the board. What is the process and do I need their agreement? I have never dealt with anything like this before and would like to understand my options clearly.

I suspect that a rival tenderer was given information about our pricing or the evaluation criteria before the closing date, because their bid seems to mirror ours closely. How do I raise this, and what protections exist against collusion?

My subcontracting business has been waiting on a large unpaid progress payment from a main contractor, who refuses to pay and says it will be resolved later. I have heard that construction disputes have a quick process. How does it work?

After a work function I was stopped at a checkpoint and my breath alcohol reading was over the legal limit. I have not been charged yet but I got a notice. I rely on my licence to do my job. What are the penalties and can I challenge the result?

My company supplied fuel and repairs to a foreign vessel that then left port without paying. We hear it may return to New Zealand next month. Is it possible to have the ship arrested to secure payment?

The business next door runs machinery late into the night, and we have not had a proper sleep in weeks. We have asked politely, and the owner just shrugs. Can we go to court, or is there a quicker way to solve this?

We started a small company together with equal shareholdings and no written agreement beyond the constitution template. Now we disagree about direction and I worry about what happens if one of us wants out. Would a shareholders’ agreement help now, and what should it cover?