Beacon Law – Frequently Asked Questions
Beacon Law—Frequently Asked Questions
About the Firm
What is a Magic Circle firm?
Magic Circle” refers to the five leading UK law firms, including Linklaters, known for high-value international corporate work. Our Founder, Chris Linton, built her international credentials as a cross-border finance and M&A specialist at Linklaters. While Beacon Law is a smaller firm, we deliver comparable expertise locally.
What types of clients does Beacon Law work with?
We advise New Zealand and international businesses—from founders and early-stage ventures to established companies and boards, as well as public sector entities. We specialise in corporate, commercial, and technology law, including company formation, contracts, IP, fundraising, mergers & acquisitions, governance, regulatory compliance, negotiation and dispute resolution.
For matters outside our expertise, we refer clients to trusted specialists.
What makes Beacon Law different from other firms?
Beacon Law combines Tier One experience with the agility and accessibility of a specialist practice. We deliver clear, commercially focused advice in plain English—not legal jargon—so clients can make confident decisions.
Do you act for individuals, or only companies?
Our work is primarily for businesses, directors, shareholders and public sector organisations, but we also advise individuals where their matters involve corporate or commercial issues.
Why choose a specialist firm like Beacon Law?
You get direct access to senior lawyers, faster responses, and tailored, cost-effective solutions. For areas outside our core practice, we connect you with trusted specialists to ensure complete, expert support across all your legal needs.
Magic Circle” refers to the five leading UK law firms, including Linklaters, known for high-value international corporate work. Our Founder, Chris Linton, built her international credentials as a cross-border finance and M&A specialist at Linklaters. While Beacon Law is a smaller firm, we deliver comparable expertise locally.
We advise New Zealand and international businesses—from founders and early-stage ventures to established companies and boards, as well as public sector entities. We specialise in corporate, commercial, and technology law, including company formation, contracts, IP, fundraising, mergers & acquisitions, governance, regulatory compliance, negotiation and dispute resolution.
For matters outside our expertise, we refer clients to trusted specialists.
Beacon Law combines Tier One experience with the agility and accessibility of a specialist practice. We deliver clear, commercially focused advice in plain English—not legal jargon—so clients can make confident decisions.
Our work is primarily for businesses, directors, shareholders and public sector organisations, but we also advise individuals where their matters involve corporate or commercial issues.
You get direct access to senior lawyers, faster responses, and tailored, cost-effective solutions. For areas outside our core practice, we connect you with trusted specialists to ensure complete, expert support across all your legal needs.
Services & Expertise
What areas of law does Beacon Law specialise in?
We specialise in corporate law, commercial contracts, governance and technology law—including fintech, data privacy, gaming, and emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain.
Do you handle disputes, or only transactional work?
Yes. While most of our work is advisory, we also assist with dispute resolution—helping clients resolve contractual, shareholder, and regulatory issues through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
Can you help start-ups and early-stage companies?
Absolutely. We regularly work with founders and growth-stage businesses on structuring, shareholder agreements, capital raising, IP protection and governance.
Do you provide advice to other law firms?
Yes, in our specialist areas of corporate, commercial and technology law. We also offer specialist plain-language drafting services, helping other firms modernise and refine their contract precedents.
Do you accept conflict referrals from other law firms?
Yes, we do, across our specialist areas of corporate, commercial and technology law.
We specialise in corporate law, commercial contracts, governance and technology law—including fintech, data privacy, gaming, and emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain. Yes. While most of our work is advisory, we also assist with dispute resolution—helping clients resolve contractual, shareholder, and regulatory issues through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
Absolutely. We regularly work with founders and growth-stage businesses on structuring, shareholder agreements, capital raising, IP protection and governance.
Yes, in our specialist areas of corporate, commercial and technology law. We also offer specialist plain-language drafting services, helping other firms modernise and refine their contract precedents. Yes, we do, across our specialist areas of corporate, commercial and technology law.
Fees & Engagement
How does Beacon Law charge for its services?
We offer hourly, fixed-fee, or capped-fee options depending on the nature of the work. All fees are clearly estimated before work begins. If specialist advice from outside our core areas of expertise is needed (eg matrimonial property or employment law), we help coordinate referrals to manage costs and timelines efficiently for our clients
Is there a charge for the first meeting?
No. We don’t charge for initial consultations on new matters. It’s an opportunity to discuss your needs before committing to fees. These meetings can be in person or online.
Do you offer reduced fees for Franklin clients?
Yes. We provide a lower hourly rate for clients based in the Franklin District, including Pukekohe and Drury, reflecting our local commitment.
How are legal fees estimated and billed?
We’ll provide an upfront estimate and confirm the agreed scope before starting. You’ll be informed in advance of any variation—no surprises.
We offer hourly, fixed-fee, or capped-fee options depending on the nature of the work. All fees are clearly estimated before work begins. If specialist advice from outside our core areas of expertise is needed (eg matrimonial property or employment law), we help coordinate referrals to manage costs and timelines efficiently for our clients
No. We don’t charge for initial consultations on new matters. It’s an opportunity to discuss your needs before committing to fees. These meetings can be in person or online.
Yes. We provide a lower hourly rate for clients based in the Franklin District, including Pukekohe and Drury, reflecting our local commitment.
We’ll provide an upfront estimate and confirm the agreed scope before starting. You’ll be informed in advance of any variation—no surprises.
Working With Beacon Law
How do I engage Beacon Law?
Simply contact us through the website or by phone. We’ll arrange an initial consultation, then provide a proposal and engagement letter before commencing work.
Can meetings be online or after hours?
Yes. We offer flexible meeting times and virtual consultations for clients throughout New Zealand and in other countries.
Do you work with overseas companies or investors?
Yes. We have extensive experience advising foreign investors and companies on cross-border transactions, compliance, and market entry.
How quickly can you start work?
In most cases, if we can’t begin immediately, we can begin within a few business days once the engagement is confirmed and any initial documentation is received.
Simply contact us through the website or by phone. We’ll arrange an initial consultation, then provide a proposal and engagement letter before commencing work. Yes. We offer flexible meeting times and virtual consultations for clients throughout New Zealand and in other countries. Yes. We have extensive experience advising foreign investors and companies on cross-border transactions, compliance, and market entry. In most cases, if we can’t begin immediately, we can begin within a few business days once the engagement is confirmed and any initial documentation is received.
Technology & Data
Do you advise on data privacy and cybersecurity?
Yes. We assist clients with compliance under the Privacy Act 2020 and international frameworks such as the GDPR. We also draft privacy policies and data-protection agreements.
Can you help with fintech or blockchain regulatory issues?
Yes. We advise fintechs, payment providers, and blockchain ventures on licensing, AML obligations, and compliance with FMA and other regulators.
Do you help with AI or emerging technology projects?
Yes. We assist with structuring, intellectual property protection, and risk management for AI, blockchain, and other emerging-tech initiatives.
Yes. We assist clients with compliance under the Privacy Act 2020 and international frameworks such as the GDPR. We also draft privacy policies and data-protection agreements. Yes. We advise fintechs, payment providers, and blockchain ventures on licensing, AML obligations, and compliance with FMA and other regulators. Yes. We assist with structuring, intellectual property protection, and risk management for AI, blockchain, and other emerging-tech initiatives.
Practicalities
Where are you based?
We are based in Auckland and work with clients across New Zealand and internationally through virtual consultations.
What are your business hours?
Our normal hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm NZT, with flexibility for clients in different time zones, and for urgent or time-sensitive matters.
We are based in Auckland and work with clients across New Zealand and internationally through virtual consultations. Our normal hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm NZT, with flexibility for clients in different time zones, and for urgent or time-sensitive matters.
- Contact:
- Beacon Law Limited
- PO Box 0000
- Victoria Street West
- Auckland 1142
- +64 21 88 5559
-
hello@beaconlaw.co.nz
Linkedin
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