With the global pandemic declared and borders closing the inevitable flow on effects from such a situation are occurring.
Farry and Co is committed to providing a continuation of services to our clients within the framework of a safe and effective environment for our employees and our clients.
In this regard, we have implemented certain processes and procedures and will continue to update these as circumstances change including the government alert levels.
At this point we are at alert level 3 but we have already taken steps to be ready for a mandatory requirement for remote working.
We have already tested systems and we are capable of continuing to provide services to our clients remotely. This is will include a combination of rotational / shift work and staff working remotely from home.
One of the immediate consequences that we have implemented is to restrict face to face contact except in the most essential of circumstances. We have the ability to conduct most business by telephone / video link.
We are also implementing procedures for execution of documentation remotely in conjunction with government departments and the banks.
This will include a combination of physical documents being emailed to clients together with audio / visual link up for execution where required.
We will provide clear and precise instructions for clients on a case by case basis on each occasion.
While we anticipate being able to continue to provide our full range of services to our clients, it is inevitable during this time that there will be some disruption to work flow and timetables.
Where there are mandated settlement dates we will continue to attempt to achieve those but we ask our clients to understand that we are dependent on a number of external factors including other parties, such as banks, government departments and other lawyers.
Certainly it is important that clients understand that they must try to maintain reasonable time frames for any transaction they wish to undertake and that where last minute or urgent matters occur that there is a high probability that proposed and/or stated dates may not be able to be met.
Regrettably, given the situation that exists and the macro environment with the circumstances largely beyond our control we must emphasise that we will take all reasonable steps to meet our clients needs and turn around times. If these time frames are not able to be met we ask you to be understanding and accept that we are not able to underwrite any implications that flow from that.
The Law Society has issued a non-mandatory direction to lawyers to try and cooperate in this regard and to show some degree of reasonableness. Again, on a case by case basis the question of whether any default and penalty charges may be payable or additional legal costs will need to be addressed.
If you have any other questions around business continuity during this period please get in touch with your normal contact at our firm (DDI numbers have been forwarded to mobile phones) or alternatively contact us on our main office numbers which will be monitored:
Auckland: 09 379 0055
Dunedin: 03 477 8870
Paul Farry
Managing Partner
pfarry@farry.co.nz
09 353 6671