crown law did not draft new bill

Solicitor General Janet Maki is distancing her office from the Unit Titles Bill.

She says Crown Law has nothing to do with it.

"I cannot divulge to you the advice I have given to Cabinet but I will say that the Bill was not drafted by Crown Law or under the auspices of Crown Law."

The bill was tabled in Parliament on Thursday.

Maki says the bill "was instigated and drafted by the legal advisors to Mr. Tim Tepaki."

The Unit Titles Bill is apparently designed to allow Tepaki to sell off rooms from his proposed development one-by-one.

However early concerns have emerged already from some landowners worried about the effect of the planned law on their rights.

One asks what happens when a lease runs out but the landowner cannot afford to buy the permanently placed building on top of it?

Wellington based property developer and investment broker Tim Tepaki contracted former solicitor general John McFadzien to write the new legislation.

Maki says the bill will go to Select Committee hearings and that members of the public with any concerns should contact Parliament.

"The best thing is, pick up a copy of the bill from Parliament because its going to a select committee and members of the public are invited to make submissions on it."

She could not comment on her advice to government.

"As I've explained on a number of occasions in the past, as the legal advisor to Govt, I cannot provide you with legal advice which is basically what you are asking for in your email.

"Furthermore, I cannot divulge to you the advice I have given to Cabinet but I will say that the Bill was not drafted by Crown Law or under the auspices of Crown Law but was instigated and drafted by the legal advisors to Mr. Tim Tepaki.

"As you will note from the Cook Is News coverage of the in camera session, the Bill was explained to Parliament by Tim Tepaki, John McFadzien and Tim Arnold as legal advisor to Pa Ariki - not Crown Law."
In camera means behind closed doors, held in secret from the public.

This practice was previously limited to legislation in the highly secretive offshore finance industry but has become increasingly common in other areas as well. 

Says Maki, "I suggest you try contacting the Secretary of Justice Terry Hagan or Finance Secretary Kevin Carr to provide some insight on the bill from the 'Govt advisers' perspective who may be able to give you more info given that they are not under the same lawyer-client privilege restrictions that I am."

Lawyers are restricted from publicly discussing the affairs of their clients.