Simpson Grierson's Applied Business Law newsletter provides practical advice on topical business law issues arising from our own experiences as well as developments and news from the marketplace. By way of illustration, current articles cover such topics as effective PPSA practices, corporate insolvency law reform, and practical lessons learned about New Zealand's overseas investment regime. The focus is always on: what does it mean for you, our clients - hence the title, Applied Business Law.

New Zealand's Overseas
Investment Regime -
Practical Lessons
Oct 2007
New Zealand's overseas investment regime was overhauled in 2005 with the introduction of the Overseas Investment Act 2005 (Act). Since the introduction of the Act, we have sought Overseas Investment Office (OIO) consent for overseas buyers (and helped New Zealand clients sell to overseas buyers) in relation to a huge range of transactions from complex business acquisitions through to property purchases. In that time we have confronted almost all of the intricacies of the Act.
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Voluntary Administration
Sep 2007
Corporate insolvency in New Zealand will soon be radically affected by the introduction of a voluntary administration regime. The reforms will impact greatly on creditors, who will be unable to enforce debts against companies in administration, but should ultimately recover more than they would have in a liquidation. Insolvent companies will also benefit from the changes, which provide an opportunity for rehabilitation. This regime has proven effective in Australia, and should be operational in New Zealand by November 2007.
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Insolvency Law Reform
Jun 2007
Insolvent companies and their creditors will soon face significant changes to New Zealand's liquidation laws. The voidable transaction regime has been overhauled, affecting all parties’ dealings with insolvent companies in the two years prior to liquidation. New restrictions on the use of phoenix companies should better protect creditors and shareholders, but may disadvantage companies with considerable value in their company name. These reforms are expected to come into force by mid 2007.
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PPSA - Lessons as a supplier
Apr 2007
The Personal Property Securities Act 1999 (PPSA) has been in force since May 2002. However, many suppliers are still failing to get their terms of trade and PPSA processes right, which is costing them money.
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