Christchurch Lawyers Continue Through Quakes

Christchurch Lawyers Continue Through The Quakes, Sort of

The Christchurch earthquake and aftershocks has disrupted everyone, including lawyers

By John Bowie - NBR “Briefcase Column" & LawFuel.co.nz - For lawyers, the quake and its after shocks caused obvious problems with accommodation, but didn’t slow things up unduly for the larger firms, although some were clearly better prepared for disaster than others. Chapman Tripp quickly holed up in the All Seasons Hotel to continue business, while others worked from home. Those with an office network, like Duncan Cotterill, were able to direct phone and other traffic through their Nelson office. Buddle Findlay of course have Wellington and Auckland.

One of the better prepared local firms was Cavell Leitch, which has suburban offices in New Brighton and Riccarton. The firm swiftly moved operations there, using offsite IT backup to maintain access to computers, faxes and payment facilities. As with other firms, the major hassle in the city was getting through the police cordon to check the office. The Law Society moved quickly, appointing spokesmen to direct concerned clients to the appropriate people for advice. Despite the moves, many clients have remained anxious about the state of their files and records which so far as can be determined remain safe and secure.

Many lawyers appear concerned for the affect the quake will have on the slowly recovering property market. As Cavell Leitch’s Julian Clarke notes, the problem now is that the earthquake has stalled the creeping spring improvement in the property market which, he said, will now stall again and this will have significant ramifications for property lawyers and agents. “We hope that’s not the case, but realistically some reduction in the market volume must occur as a result in the short term.”

ENDS

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