A new iteration of the three strikes sentencing law comes into effect from 17 June 2025. The By Lawyers District Court – Criminal guide is being updated accordingly.

New commercial law AI prompts have been added to the Companies, Trusts, and Partnerships guides.

This month’s follow-up free CPD Club session, on Tuesday 20 May 2025 at 1pm, is on Employment Disputes, also with Mark Donovan.

The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Act 2025 has commenced, criminalising intentional failure by an employer to make any payment due to their employee under an employment agreement or legislation. The commentary in the By Lawyers Employment Law guide has been updated accordingly.

Retainer instructions are critical precedents on every By Lawyers matter plan. They prompt the lawyer to ask the right questions and obtain all necessary information at the start of the engagement, and assist with advising clients about critical dates, legislative provisions and time limits.

AI prompts are transforming legal document drafting. By Lawyers is pleased to introduce AI prompts to our publications, helping our subscribers harness the power of LEAP’s Matter AI.

By Lawyers is pleased to announce the publication of our new Employment Guide. The guide provides a matter plan, full commentary, and precedents to assist practitioners in handling employment law matters.

The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill 2024 is currently before parliament. There is no definite commencement date yet. The commentary and related precedents in all By Lawyers guides will be updated in line with these amendments when they commence.

Following a user's request, we have added the client’s IRD number to our Client details and are verifying identity precedent. This helpful document can be found in Folder A. Getting the matter underway on every By Lawyers matter plan.

A section of commentary covering the obligations of the executor or administrator of an estate concerning any firearms owned by the deceased has been added to the By Lawyers Probate and Letters of Administration guides. Under the Arms Act 1983 the executor or administrator of a deceased estate is responsible for firearms, arms items, and ammunition that form part of the estate. The duties include updating the Firearms Safety Authority. The firearms can be transferred in accordance with the will, if permissible under the Act. The Firearms Safety Authority has published an Unwanted firearm disposal guide and a Secure storage and transportation guide for firearms and ammunition which summarises the requirements. The commentary in the By Lawyers Probate and Letters of Administration guides has been enhanced with a new section on Firearms under Realising assets.

New content on briefs of evidence (BOE) has been added to the By Lawyers District Court – Civil claims guide. A brief of evidence (BOE) is a written statement that is read in the court by a witness during a trial.

An Artificial Intelligence Use policy has been added to the By Lawyers 101 Staff Handbook. The policy provides for the responsible use of artificial intelligence within a firm to enhance efficiency and productivity while safeguarding confidentiality, legal integrity, and professional standards. The AI use policy requires adherence to strict quality assurance measures. The 101 Staff Handbook is found in the Practice Management guide. It provides policies for all aspects of managing a legal practice that firms can either adopt or amend as required.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)'s standard for lawyers and conveyancers identifying their clients and receiving authority to deal with land has been updated. The By Lawyers First steps commentary under Getting the matter underway in all publications has been updated to reflect the new standard.

Folder A in every By Lawyers matter plan is called Getting the Matter Underway. It does what it says on the tin! All the precedents required to commence a matter in a particular area of law, along with practical commentary about managing client engagement, AML requirements, and taking instructions.

Criminal practitioners can be forgiven for any current confusion over prospective amendments to sentencing law. There are currently three separate pieces of legislation before the parliament concerning sentencing law. Practitioners can rest assured that By Lawyers are monitoring these Bills and that any necessary amendments to our Criminal and Traffic guides will be made in accordance with the respective commencement provisions.