New legal guide to help Kiwis know their rights

New legal guide to help Kiwis know their rights

New Zealanders will be offered a smarter and financially cheaper solution to resolving legal issues when barrister and journalist Catriona MacLennan¡¦s new book ¡¥Know Your Rights¡¦ hits the shelves this week.

The practical guide to the law is the first of its kind in New Zealand ¡V it is a plain English one-stop reference book which will empower people to know their rights in the eyes of the law.

¡¥Know Your Rights¡¦ provides information on how to resolve issues without legal aid and how to get the best from a lawyer when one is required. It aims to help people save time and money by knowing what to do and what information lawyers require in order to achieve the best results.

It covers a broad range of subjects including:
ƒ{ Family law, including separation and children, domestic violence
ƒ{ Property relationship agreements
ƒ{ Powers of attorney, divorce and wills (how to draft one, the impact of cutting people out of wills, and how to get one drafted for free)
ƒ{ Your child¡¦s rights at school and in the workplace
ƒ{ Consumer issues such as returning goods and what your rights are when buying on the internet
ƒ{ Employment disputes
ƒ{ Traffic offences and criminal law.

Author Catriona MacLennan says ¡§All of us at one time or another will be confronted with a legal problem. You don¡¦t need a lawyer every time ¡V some situations you can resolve yourself.

¡§Because I deal with these sorts of issues every day I wanted to help people by writing a reference guide without the legalese so they can dip into it for a heads-up on any given situation and take action accordingly.

¡§For example, many people don¡¦t know that a nose to tail car accident can lead to a summons and a charge of careless driving, or sending offensive text messages can land you in jail, or your will can be contested if you don¡¦t include family members, or buying a house at an auction is an unconditional contract¡¨, says Ms MacLennan.

¡¥Know Your Rights¡¦ is an indispensable addition to any home reference library. It is published by Penguin Books (NZ) and will be available at RRP $29.95 from leading bookstores from 3 July 2006

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