Who We Are
Oscar Alpers LLB, Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public
- Oscar is a third generation lawyer with 35+ years experience in legal practice in Christchurch, including 9 years as a partner in Weston Ward & Lascelles, from whom he took over the Northwest Law Office
- 25+ years experience in local government and government agencies, including 12 years as a Christchurch City Councillor
- extensive commercial experience, including 8 years as a director of Lyttelton Port Company Limited.
Louise Lane BA (Hons), Pg Dip Legal Practice
- Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales
Louise was admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales in November 1997, and worked as a solicitor with several borough councils in London and the City of Westminster in the fields of housing, property litigation, town planning and residential conveyancing.
Louise was admitted as Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand in October 2005.
Louise’s mother came from Hong Kong and Louise is fluent in Cantonese.
Since returning from maternity leave, Louise works Wednesdays and Fridays.
Mark Saunders BSc, BA (Hons), LLB (Hons)
- Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand
Mark usually works out of our Christchurch Northwest Law Office, but also heads a legal outreach service to Rangiora and North Canterbury. He is available to visit you in Rangiora or surrounding towns to discuss a range of legal issues, including employment disputes & contracts, small claims/disputes tribunal hearings, consumer disputes, relationship property, parenting arrangements, domestic violence, immigration issues, building contracts, neighbour disputes, wills, powers of attorney, and family trusts, among other things.
Mark has a special interest in animal law and his Honours Research Paper explored the legal mechanisms available for overcoming the obstacles that have traditionally stood in the way of including pets in estate planning.
Mark has a long association with the building industry, and a particular interest in regulatory developments in the industry. He has taken a special interest in the licensing of building practitioners, and the parameters of restricted building work.
Mark also has an interest in consumer law and human rights law, and advocated for the regulation of the selling of extended warranties, and the removal of discrimination from the student allowances scheme.
Mark has a strong sense of advocating for his clients, and particularly enjoys challenging the fairness of decisions in the context of employment law and administrative review. Recently, Mark’s core areas of pratice have been immigration, family and neighbour law, but he also has also gotten to sink his teeth into the strategic aspect of estate planning, contract drafting, and the management of family and charitable trusts.