Mediation Application Form
NZDRC is offering a special fixed fee mediation service for disputes as to payment obligations under commercial leases arising as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown. To apply for that service, you will need to complete our Application for Lease Dispute Mediation Form.
For all other mediation cases, please complete this form to get the process underway.
Expert “evidence” needs to be more than just bald assertions to win the day
By Adrian Sharma Leakage issues in a building can be a real dampener. A recent decision of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (the Tribunal) which considered conflicting expert evidence on water ingress issues in a newly built property highlighted the...
Leaky Home Case: Failure to obtain a building report results in reduction of damages for contributory negligence
By Melt Strydom. Apportionment for contributory negligence allows a court to share the responsibility between parties in circumstances where the test for causation and remoteness of damage justifies it. It doesn’t mean a respondent will not be held liable for...
Changes on the way for commercial lease Covid-19 rent disputes
The government has introduced a law change which will imply into commercial leases that don’t have an existing no access in emergency clause, a provision requiring a fair proportion of rent and outgoings to be paid when a tenant has been unable to conduct their...
NZDRC Commercial Lease Scheme on the News
John Green, the managing director of the New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre has been interviewed by NBR news about the COVID-19 Rent Relief Scheme for Commercial Leases. In the interview he discussed the low cost fixed fee arbitration and mediation service put in...
FAQs Mediation and Arbitration
Do both parties need to agree to participate? Yes, parties who wish to access mediation or arbitration services must agree to do so. If the parties already have an agreement to arbitrate or mediate in their lease document, they may still need to enter and agreement to...
The Trusts Act 2019: What you need to know
By Melissa Perkin and Melt Strydom Introduction Although exact numbers are unknown, it is estimated there are hundreds of thousands of trusts in New Zealand. The new Trusts Act 2019 came into force on 30 January 2021. It brings a number of significant changes to trust...
COVID-19 Commercial Lease Disputes: Free Arbitration and Mediation available now
Update 1 July 2021: Please note that the Government funded scheme has now come to an end but you can still access NZDRC's low cost fixed fee scheme. Many commercial tenants found their leases were inadequate to deal with the consequences of the COVID-19...
Rent relief in the COVID-19 lockdown
Fast, low cost, fixed fee arbitration services for commercial rent/lease disputes
COMMERCIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT DISPUTES: THREE REASONS WHY ARBITRATION IS SO POPULAR
By Catherine Green, Arbitrator and Mediator, Executive Director at NZDRC During the course of a commercial tenancy, disputes often arise between landlords and tenants in relation to the parties’ obligations under the lease to maintain and repair premises,...