Practical and up to date, the commentaries can be found in the LEAP matter, via the Forms & Precedents button and under the Legal Guides tab. The commentaries are written using plain language. It was Mark Twain who said, “I apologize for such a long letter - I didn't have time to write a short one.”  Well, we have spent the time and ensured our commentaries on the law, are relevant, useful and succinct, providing practical and detailed guidance on the law. 

Commentaries provide all the necessary research at your fingertips, within the matter itself. Providing fast, precise, and practical answers with links to relevant legislation and case law. The commentary is a detailed, practical explanation of how to effectively conduct a matter in a particular area of law. They are written by experienced practitioners - fully conversant with how to properly conduct a client matter. We focus on the practical aspects a practitioner will face and consider when practicing in an area of law.

The commentaries are continually maintained ensuring access to current real time developments in practice, legislation, and case law. Accessing the commentary is through the matter plan with the full commentary at the top and then links to relevant chapters as the matter progresses.

Our authors and editorial team continually monitor our publications and keep them up to date to reflect changes in the law and practice. We subscribe to multiple legislation tracking and case reporting services, as well as various journals, which are reviewed and actioned daily.

We are constantly adding new precedents and commentary to enrich our publications so that practitioners can remain confident that they are working with the latest information. All By Lawyers matter plans, commentaries, and precedents are written and reviewed by practitioners with experience in the relevant area of law and the applicable jurisdiction.

The commentaries are constantly evolving, covering practical issues as they arise. Enhancements and new content come from the authors, the By Lawyers editorial team and in response to user feedback. Contact: askus@bylawyers.co.nz.

Alerts at the top of the commentary flag important and recent changes with further detail captured within the commentary below it.

Alerts – Nil is a confirmation that the law has not recently changed.

The many active hyperlinks in the commentaries to legislation, cases, and government websites are continually monitored and quickly replaced when they change or ‘break’.

By Lawyers commentaries help law firms increase productivity and minimise risk in the following ways:

• Ensuring they stay up to date with how legislative changes affect the practical application of the law.

• Taking the worry out of practice – By Lawyers commentaries are structured to follow the normal execution of a matter, meaning they can be followed step by step through to completion. This provides absolute confidence that every detail has received due attention and no consideration has been missed.

• Assisting practitioners to find fast, precise and practical answers to questions that otherwise would have required deep research and interpretation.

• Allowing principals to confidently delegate tasks to less experienced colleagues and support staff knowing they can easily find practical answers to questions that arise and have the tools to complete a matter meticulously.

• Supporting the ability to take on a matter outside one’s expertise or of a type not undertaken in a while. By Lawyers commentaries will guide the practitioner through the necessary considerations and ensure they are up to date with any changes to the law. This allows work to be retained rather than referred on.

• Providing a simple reference point to advise clients on areas outside normal expertise.

What this all boils down to is that firms that use By Lawyers commentaries save time in research, can adapt to the market and take on different work without hassle, and can be confident that matters are completed with an understanding of the various considerations that may arise.