The firm opened on 1 April 2007 in the North Shore area where we have remained. Our main principles are people and professionalism matter. We have put into effect our long-held view that the fundamental role of a lawyer is to help people, their families (including successive generations) and their businesses. We apply lateral thinking and do our very best to resolve and progress projects for our clients. To date, we have had numerous opportunities through our general practice to help others and their families with personal protection plans, wills, trusts, estates, elder law and all the things that are required to afford the best protection. In the course of providing services, we have also assisted in solutions for property, business and commercial law transactions, and immigration. Please do call us and involve us early so that we can maximise our value to you.
- 09-480-9794
- Mon-Fri 9:00 to 5:00
- enquiries@silkfernlaw.com
Welcome to Birdsey & Associates
Where People Matter
About us
Important Notice:
We need additional information from you to be able to assist you
As you may have heard, from 1 July 2018 law firms will now need to comply with AML (Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009). These laws are already in existence and you may have already come across your bank or financial provider recently asking you for additional information requirements. In addition to law firms having to comply, it will also apply to accountants from 1 October 2018 and real estate agents from 1 January 2019. New Zealand is currently regarded as one of the safest and least corrupt countries in the world. It is therefore important that we retain this standing. This law is designed to help to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. It will also help the Police bring the criminals to justice.
What does this mean for you?
From 1 July 2018 onwards, under this legislation we must carry out Customer Due Diligence (“CDD”). This means we are required and will be asking you to produce your driver’s licence or passport, together with additional information such as a copy of your birth certificate, current bank statement or utilities bill to verify your full name, date of birth and address before we undertake any work for you. You may already have provided this or similar information to your bank or financial provider, but we will need to carry out our own verification of you as we cannot use the banks or financial providers’ information.
If we are acting for a Trust or Company, then we will most likely need to carry out CDD on people associated with those entities (ie. directors, shareholders, trustees, beneficiaries, etc.).
We may also need to ask for additional information, including what is the nature and purpose of the proposed work you are instructing us to carry out for you? Where are the source of funds coming from to complete the transaction?
We will try and make this process as easy as possible for you, but we thought it right to let you know that to help you with your legal matters we will in turn need your assistance and timely response to any request for information.
Our People
Nick Birdsey
Principal LLB
Nick graduated from Auckland University in 1974 and has worked both here and in the United Kingdom. Nick established Birdsey & Associates on 1 April 2007 after moving to Auckland where he wanted to establish a firm “Where People Matter” and that is exactly what he has done. Nick’s area of expertise is Family Law, Trusts, Wills, Commercial Matters.
Nick has a passion for classic motorbikes (but does also own a modern bike) and collecting fountain pens and watches. So when he is not in the office, no doubt you will be able to find him riding around on one of his motorbikes.
Nick is also a problem solver and enjoys nothing more than assisting our diverse clientele on a daily basis. The firm is also very family orientated with his wife Margaret working close by as a Senior Associate Solicitor.
Margaret Birdsey
Senior Associate Solicitor LLB
Margaret graduated from Auckland University in 1996. Margaret initially started her working career off as a search clerk for a City law firm and over her 35+ year long legal career has also worked as a qualified Legal Executive and raised two children. She has spent the majority of her years in practice based on the North Shore
Margaret joined the firm shortly after Nick started to help with the workload. Margaret’s main area of practice is Wills, Estates Trusts and Elder law. She is also extremely experienced in Conveyancing, but has passed that work over to Jenny.
Margaret enjoys gardening and has also taken on regular Grandmother duties looking after her only NZ born grandchild and is therefore in the office three days a week.
