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LegalMate combines AI-powered NZ legal research, matter management, document analysis, client portal, legal templates, and firm operations — in one platform built for New Zealand law firms.
Under s103A of the Employment Relations Act 2000, a dismissal is unjustified if the employer's actions were not what a fair and reasonable employer could have done in all the circumstances at the time…
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Stop switching between tools. LegalMate brings AI research, case management, client comms, and firm operations into a single, cohesive workspace.
AI Legal Research
Ask questions in plain English. Get cited, jurisdiction-accurate answers sourced directly from NZ legislation and case law — with inline references you can trust.
- Natural language Q&A on NZ law
- Inline citations with section links
- Follow-up with passage quoting
- Text-to-speech read-aloud
NZ Legislation
Browse and search the full catalogue of New Zealand Acts. Pin your most-used statutes, filter by practice area, and jump straight to relevant sections.
- ERA, Crimes Act, RMA & more
- Recently amended indicators
- Practice area categories
- Pin frequently used Acts
Case Law
Search Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, ERA, and Employment Court decisions. Save cases to matters and track citation counts across judgements.
- SC / CA / HC / DC / ERA / EC tiers
- Save & bookmark decisions
- Filter by court & practice area
- Citation count tracking
Matter Management
Create and manage every case file from intake to close. Track status, assign team members, attach documents, and let clients view progress through their own portal.
- Full matter lifecycle tracking
- Document attachment & AI analysis
- Team assignment & notes
- Status & deadline management
Document Analysis
Upload contracts, briefs, or affidavits and receive an instant AI summary of key clauses, risks, and obligations. Stored against the matter for future reference.
- AI-powered clause extraction
- Risk & obligation summaries
- PDF, Word & plain text support
- Search across all documents
Legal Templates
Access 16 NZ-compliant legal document templates ready to copy or download. Settlement agreements, IEAs, bail applications, NDAs, and more — all legally current.
- 16 NZ-compliant templates
- Employment, criminal, commercial
- One-click copy or download
- Act-referenced & regularly updated
Instant answers. Cited from source.
LegalMate's research engine searches NZ legislation, regulations, and case law simultaneously — then synthesises a plain-English answer with inline citations you can quote directly in briefs.
Under ERA 2000 s103A, dismissal is unjustified if the employer's conduct fell below the standard of a fair and reasonable employer. The Authority considers:
- Whether the employer investigated before dismissing s103A(2)(a)
- Whether the employee was given adequate opportunity to respond s103A(2)(b)
- Whether dismissal was a proportionate response Waikato DHB v Archibald [2020]
Every matter. Every client. One view.
Create matters from intake, attach documents, assign solicitors, and share real-time progress with clients through a branded portal — no logins to manage, no email chains.
Run your practice, not just your research
Team Management
Invite solicitors and support staff, assign roles, and manage permissions. Everyone works in the same environment.
Email Campaigns
Draft, schedule, and track client email campaigns with open tracking, CC/BCC, follow-up automations, and per-recipient analytics.
Bookings & Scheduling
Let clients book consultations online. Integrated calendar with availability management, reminders, and case type selection.
Firm Dashboard
At-a-glance view of open matters, recent activity, team workload, document count, and upcoming bookings — your practice at a glance.
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Create your firm account
Sign up with your firm name and email. No setup fees, no credit card for the trial. Your workspace is ready instantly.
Invite your team
Send email invites to solicitors, clerks, and admin. Set roles. Everyone logs in to the same secure environment.
Research, manage & grow
Start researching NZ law instantly. Create matters, upload documents, draft with templates, and send campaigns — all in one place.
What legal professionals are saying
"The research tool alone is worth it. I get cited ERA answers in seconds that used to take me 40 minutes to find on legislation.govt.nz. The inline citations mean I can drop results straight into briefs."
"We moved from a folder-sharing mess to LegalMate in a week. Our clients love the portal — they can see exactly where their matter is and download documents without emailing us every day."
"The NZ template library is genuinely useful — properly drafted NDA, settlement agreement, and IEA templates that reference the correct Acts. No generic overseas documents here."
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Frequently Asked Legal Questions
Get instant answers to common New Zealand legal questions
What is the maximum sentence for murder in New Zealand?
Can my employer terminate me without notice in New Zealand?
What are the legal requirements for buying property in New Zealand?
How do I find a good employment lawyer in Auckland?
What are the drink driving penalties in New Zealand?
How much tax do I pay on rental income in New Zealand?
Rental income is taxed at your marginal tax rate (10.5%-39%). You can claim deductions for property expenses, but interest deductions are being phased out over 4 years under the 'brightline test' changes.
What are my rights during a police search in New Zealand?
Police need a search warrant unless specific exceptions apply (consent, arrest, emergency). You have the right to see the warrant, remain silent, and have a lawyer present. Unreasonable searches may make evidence inadmissible.
Can I claim compensation for workplace injury in New Zealand?
Yes, through ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) which provides no-fault compensation for workplace injuries. This covers medical costs, rehabilitation, and income support but you cannot sue your employer for negligence.
How do I apply for a work visa in New Zealand?
Work visa applications are processed by Immigration New Zealand. Requirements include a job offer (for most visas), health and character checks, and meeting specific skill or experience criteria. Processing times vary by visa type.
What legal assistance is available in Wellington for small businesses?
Wellington offers various legal resources including the Business Mentors New Zealand, legal aid services, and specialized business lawyers. LegalMate provides instant legal research to help Wellington businesses understand their obligations and rights.
How do I challenge a traffic fine in Christchurch?
You can dispute a traffic fine by requesting a court hearing within 56 days. The matter will be heard in the Christchurch District Court. You'll need evidence to support your case, such as photos or witness statements.
What are tenant rights in Auckland rental properties?
Auckland tenants have the same rights as all NZ tenants under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. This includes healthy homes standards, fair rent increases, proper notice periods, and bond protection through Tenancy Services.