Unit Titles and Body Corporate Update
Attend and hear from an experienced speaking panel who will examine 4 important areas affecting unit titles and body corporates. From the Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Bill and body corporate decision making to practical tips for deciphering unit plans plus recent and important Tribunal cases, you will unpack the latest information that you need to know to ensure you stay out in front. WEB226NZA09
Description
Attend and earn 3.75 CPD hours
Chair: Jeanne Heatlie, Partner, Court One
9.00am to 9.05am Opening Comments from the Chair
9.05am to 10.05am Update on The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Bill
Consider the Amendment Bill: what’s there, what’s missing, and what happens next. The Bill covers such points as:
- Vendor disclosure
- Committee governance
- Management agreements
- Codes of conduct
- Conflicts of interest
- Unit owner rights and responsibilities
Focus on practical points so you know what steps you and your clients need to take in response to the Bill.
Presented by Thomas Gibbons, Principal, Thomas Gibbons Law
10.10am to 11.10am Body Corporate Decision Making and Designated Resolutions
Gain a greater understanding of the requirements of the Unit Titles Act for body corporate decision making. This practical session will include discussion on membership voting, minority relief, the designated resolution process and objections. Help your clients to better understand and navigate the body corporate decision making regime.
Presented by Kimberly Knox, Director, GazeBurt
11.15am to 11.40am Practical Tips for Navigating Unit Plans
Unit plans contain a wealth of information about a unit title development. Finding that information and knowing how to use it can sometimes be a complicated undertaking. Be guided through a series of unit plans identifying key things to look for, and where to go for further information or assistance.
Presented by Vicki Toan, Partner, Glaister Ennor
11.45am to 12.45pm Unit Titles Case Review and Tribunal Decisions
Join Jonathan Wood for a roundup of the significant cases involving unit titles.
Presented by Jonathan Wood, Senior Associate, Court One
Learning Objectives:
- Benefit from an update on important incoming legislation
- Receive practical guidance on body corporate decision making and the designated resolution process
- Learn useful tips to help you understand unit plans
- Receive a valuable update on unit title cases and tribunal decisions
Presenters
Jeanne Heatlie
Jeanne is a skilled litigator with many years’ experience both in New Zealand and abroad. Jeanne has represented Body Corporates and homeowners in building defect and weathertightness cases. She was an integral part of the Plaintiff team on the Nautilus litigation resulting in the largest award made in a defective building case to date. Jeanne provides advice on construction related issues, including schemes of repair and escrow arrangements. She also extensive experience in insolvency law and has represented liquidators and creditors in a number of high profile cases. She has been involved in investigations of large scale corporate collapses and the prosecution of claims for the recovery of assets. Jeanne has acted on claims against former directors for reckless trading and against auditors for breaches of professional duties. She has experience in a number of foreign jurisdictions.
Thomas Gibbons
Thomas Gibbons has an extensive practice in unit titles and body corporate law, advising bodies corporate, managers, committees, owners, and other lawyers across a range of issues, including governance, maintenance, remedial projects, development matters, rules, and disputes. He is the author of Unit Titles Law and Practice, and co-author of McMorland and Gibbons on Cross Leases and Unit Titles, and has written for journals in Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. Thomas has given expert evidence in the High Court on land development issues, and has presented seminars in New Zealand and overseas for NZLS, ADLS, Australian College of Strata Lawyers, Property Council, and other bodies.
Kimberly Knox
Kimberly is a director at Gaze Burt Limited and specialises in property and commercial law. She provides advice to clients on a wide range of matters, including property and commercial acquisitions, subdivisions, developments and joint venture arrangements. Kimberly joined Gaze Burt in 2016. She is a graduate from the University of Auckland and has practiced in property since her admission in 2006.
Vicki Toan
Vicki Toan is a partner at Glaister Ennor. She specialises in resource management and unit titles law. She offers pragmatic and practical advice to assist her clients to achieve their goals. She works closely with the firm's property teams on pre-purchase due diligence and Overseas Investment Act matters. She has presented on resource management, local government, and unit titles topics at webinars, seminars, and conferences held by Legalwise, Auckland District Law Society, and the Australian College of Strata Lawyers.
Jonathan Wood
Jonathan Wood constantly worries about the Unit Titles Act, in particular the imminent demise of the practice of ‘Lamonting’ under the proposed changes to the Act (removing the ability of a minority to in effect block resolutions they disagree with by refusing a delegation to the committee). That aside he has been at the coalface of pushing the boundaries of the Act, in the name of fairness and justice for nearly a decade. He has, in his own estimation been responsible for more schemes under section 74 than any other individual. Acting as both poacher (for disaffected body corporate members) and gamekeeper (body corporates) he has a broad understanding of how this often idiosyncratic piece of legislation can both enrich and frustrate those who deal with it.