Foley Douglas

We’re thrilled to announce that Kate James — together with her accomplished team from O’Shea’s Law — has joined Foley Douglas as Special Counsel.

Kate is highly regarded for her work in corporate and commercial property, and her arrival turbocharges our growth, broadens our capabilities and sharpens our focus on client‑first results.

This isn’t just a new hire — it’s a signal of a bigger transformation underway. Expect fresh energy, an elevated experience, new ways of working and a striking new look on the horizon as we move into the next chapter of Foley Douglas.

Stay tuned — exciting updates ahead…

Please join us in warmly welcoming Kate and her team to Foley Douglas.

Kate James joins Foley Douglas as Special Counsel - Foley Douglas Foley Douglas is pleased to announce the arrival of Kate James as Special Counsel, together with her team from O’Shea’s Law.

Heaps of fun swapping office chairs for bike seats last week - turns out networking at 40km/h is a real trust exercise🚴‍♀️

Huge thanks to Skippy and the team at the Velodrome for a great afternoon, and to PKF Hamilton and ASB Bank for being good sports and trying something new with us!

Join us in congratulating Simmi and Tom on their well-deserved promotions!

🔹Simmi Singh – Senior Associate
Simmi is a commercial lawyer specialising in intellectual property and dispute resolution, known for getting straight to the point and getting results. She’s sharp, solutions-focused, and someone clients trust to navigate the hard stuff for them and with them.
Congratulations Simmi, we are proud to have you on our team.

🔹Tom Phillips – Senior Solicitor
Since graduating in 2021, Tom has built a strong reputation in property law, asset planning, and a range of commercial matters. He’s practical, hardworking, and thrives on the matters that get the cogs turning!
A well-earned promotion – congratulations Tom.

Before the legal advice. Before the contracts. Before the strategy sessions and problem-solving.

There were baby photos. 👶

Same determination. Same strong personalities.

Just slightly smaller suits.

We’re a team that puts people at the heart of what we do — and that began long before we ever picked up a pen.

Swipe to meet the team… from the very beginning.

When time is of the essence, we move quickly.

A big thank you to our client for this generous review of Sam and the Foley Douglas team. Prompt service, thorough advice, and real support when it matters most – that’s what we’re here for.

Do vendors have to disclose a negative builder’s report to future buyers?
What if the buyer asks directly?
What about your agent’s obligations?
In our latest article we unpack the law, the risks, and the practical tips every seller should know.
Read more 👇

Vendor’s disclosure obligations: Does a vendor have to disclose a previous, negative builders report? - Foley Douglas Selling your home can be stressful—especially if a deal falls through because a potential buyer was not satisfied with a building inspection report they

Are you on the Incorporated Societies Register? You may need to act.
Under the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022, all existing societies must re-register by 5 April 2026 or risk losing their legal status.
We’ve outlined what’s required and how to get started in our latest article 👇

Incorporated Societies Act 2022: Re-registration Deadline Approaching for Sports Clubs and Community Organisations - Foley Douglas Recent reporting by RNZ has highlighted a growing concern for sports clubs and community organisations across New Zealand. According to RNZ, fewer than half

Friendly reminder that from 24 January 2026, the Disputes Tribunal can now hear claims of up to $60,000, doubling the previous limit of $30,000.

Although lawyers cannot represent you at the hearing itself, getting legal advice beforehand can be invaluable. At Foley Douglas, our lawyers regularly assist clients with disputes by helping prepare strong, well-structured claims or responses, reviewing evidence and identifying key issues, and advising on settlement options and likely outcomes.

For more information, see our article below.

Disputes Tribunal Limit Increased to $60,000 – What It Means for Hamilton Disputes - Foley Douglas From 24 January 2026, the Disputes Tribunal can now hear claims of up to $60,000, doubling the previous limit of $30,000.

Did you know statutory declarations can now be completed by video call?
Recent law changes mean you no longer need to be physically present with a witness. This is especially helpful for first-home buyers making KiwiSaver withdrawals.
Read more 👇

Statutory Declarations via Audiovisual link - Foley Douglas Recent changes to the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957 now mean statutory declarations can be completed via audiovisual (AV) link, following the introduction

This is an excellent group - and a great way to access a power team of advisors all in the same place, once a week (including one of our Directors, Samuel Douglas). If you'd like the opportunity to present your business to other like-minded business owners, reach out to Sam directly.