Legal Advice

The legal advice provided in this section has been complied by the TAANZ Solicitor.

Members should ensure that they are conversant with the wide range of legal issues that may impact upon their business.

It includes:

Legal Responsibilities and Obligations to Customers and Suppliers Your responsibilities to your client under common law, the Consumer Guarantees Act, Fair Trading Act and Privacy Act, as well as Booking Conditions. Also, your responsibilities to suppliers, yourself and your employer.

The Legal Position of the TAANZ Member Definitions of travel agents, General Sales Agents and tour operators.

The Disputes Tribunal A guide to the Disputes Tribunal procedures and hearings.

Credit Card Transactions Advice on the acceptance of credit cards.

Recommended Terms and Conditions Advice on what to include in itineraries and quotations.

Travel Advisories Recommended practice for travel agents where they have customers wishing to travel to destinations about which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued warnings.

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 A summary of this Act as it applies to travel agents.

Employment Related Issues Advice to members on employment issues.

Entitlement to Commission Agency Agreement advice.

Responsibility to Principal Your responsibility to principals.

The Privacy Act 1993 The application of the Act to travel agents.

Legal Assistance to Members - Case Studies Four case studies cover practical examples relating to travel documentation and cancellation fees, the two most common areas for consumer complaint.

Health and Safety Employment Act 1992 A summary of this Act as it applies to travel agents.

Fair Trading Act A summary of this Act as it applies to travel agents.

Charter Flights Advice to members concerning specific issues which arise where customers enquire concerning the purchase of tickets on non-scheduled international air services - charter flights.

Code Sharing The legal and ethical responsibilities of travel agents to advise their clients that the flight that they have been booked on is a code share flight operated by a code share partner of the carrier requested by the client.

Criminal Records Act The Act potentially impacts on TAANZ members in two situations: when they are interviewing potential employees, and when they are assisting customers with issues relating to visas for overseas countries.