Questions for lawyers Found 360

My lawyer sent a bill that is much higher than the estimate I was given, and I was not told the costs were rising. I do not feel comfortable confronting them. What can I do if I think the fees are unfair?

We were partway through a government tender when the agency issued an addendum that changed the scope and evaluation weightings. We had already invested heavily in our proposal. Can they do that, and what are our rights?

My uncle’s will left a specific amount of money to several nieces and nephews, plus a house to one sibling, but after debts and expenses were paid there does not seem to be enough left to pay all the cash gifts in full. How is this resolved?

I was given a spa voucher as a present and put it in a drawer. When I finally tried to book, the business said it had expired the month before and refused to honour it. There was no expiry date printed on the voucher itself, only on their website. Can they do that?

My brother works as a crew member on a large cargo vessel that visits New Zealand ports, and he says he has not been paid for months and cannot leave. Do seafarers have special legal protections, and who can he contact?

Construction work next door begins very early and includes loud machinery and weekend activity. We have asked the builders to stop, but they say they are allowed to work. What limits apply to construction noise?

We are exporting goods and our freight forwarder mentioned issuing a bill of lading. I want to understand what this document actually does and whether ownership of the goods can be passed on to someone else using it.

A ministry has told me that I need to be on an approved panel before I can be considered for work in my field. I have not heard of this before. How do panels work, and how do I get on one? I want to make sure I am not missing anything important before I decide what to do.

A senior colleague constantly belittles me in front of the team, sets impossible deadlines and has made comments that leave me anxious about work. I have complained to HR, but nothing has happened. What can I do?

When I applied for my visa, my adviser filled in the forms and there was an incorrect date and a missing employer on my work history. Now Immigration New Zealand is asking questions about it. Could I lose my visa or be banned?