About Quay Law
We are a boutique Auckland law firm specializing in property conveyancing, family trust compliance, estate planning, and commercial representation. Directly led by our principal solicitor Ian Mellett.
Instruct Our SolicitorsSenior Practice Guarantee
At Quay Law, your files are always overseen by a Senior Solicitor.
Explore Our Practice Information
Community Involvement
Learn about our firm's sponsorships, local school support, and community advocacy in Remuera and East Auckland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear, upfront answers regarding billing methods, transaction timelines, and how to instruct our solicitors.
Find a Lawyer in Auckland
Detailed directions to our Orakei Road office, local landmarks, parking information, and regional transit links.
The Boutique Law Advantage
Direct Senior Representation
Large firms commonly assign property transactions and trust filings to junior clerks, leading to template-driven service and missed details. At Quay Law, you work directly with principal solicitor Ian Mellett, benefiting from decades of senior experience.
Transparent Outgoings
We believe in commercial transparency. We provide clear, upfront fixed-fee proposals for conveyancing, Wills, and Trust audits, eliminating unexpected billable hours and administrative markups.
Ian Mellett — Principal Solicitor
Ian Mellett holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), and a Higher Diploma in Tax Law (H. Dip Tax Law). Practicing for over 25 years, Ian has built a reputation in Auckland for practical, clear, and legally protective commercial counsel.
Ian is a member of the New Zealand Law Society and the Auckland District Law Society. Under his leadership, the firm coordinates closely with accountants, tax advisers, and family offices.
Boutique Firm vs. Large Law Firm Comparison
| Practice Area | Quay Law Boutique Model | Large Corporate Law Firm |
|---|---|---|
|
File Ownership |
Senior Partner Directed. Managed directly by Ian Mellett. |
Delegated. Regularly passed down to junior unadmitted clerks. |
|
Billing Structure |
Upfront Fixed-Fee Proposals. No unexpected billing hours. |
6-Minute Billing Units. High billable hours and administration fees. |
|
Communication |
Direct phone access. 24-hour response turnaround covenants. |
Layered account access. Delayed responses via legal secretaries. |
|
Client Value |
Personal relationship focus. Files valued individually. |
High overhead cost models. Focus on high-volume corporate clients. |
Our Client Service Guarantees
We hold ourselves to strict professional and administrative standards to ensure client satisfaction:
| Service Metric | Our Guarantee & Commitment | Target Resolution |
|---|---|---|
|
Partner Supervision |
Ian Mellett personally reviews and signs off on every contract, title audit, and deed. |
100% senior signoff |
|
Upfront Proposals |
We provide transparent, written fixed-fee proposals for all standard transactions. |
Zero surprise bills |
|
Response Turnaround |
We return urgent emails and phone messages as fast as reasonably possible. |
Fast replies |
|
Plain English |
We explain complex property, trust, and business law concepts without legal jargon. |
Clear understanding |
Our Core Specializations
Property Conveyancing
Vetting residential sales, LINZ e-dealings, new builds, commercial leasing, and cross-lease flats plan corrections.
Explore Property LawTrusts, Wills & EPOA
Drafting Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, and auditing Family Trusts for Trusts Act 2019 compliance.
Explore Personal PlanningCommercial Law
Vetting ADLS business acquisitions, franchise agreements, tax structures, and digital brand IP protections.
Explore Business LawPartner Directly with a Senior Auckland Solicitor
Book a confidential consultation with Ian Mellett for conveyancing, trust compliance, or commercial matters. Request a quote today.
Request a Legal QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Boutique firms specialize in specific legal niches—at Quay Law, this is property, estate planning, and business law. Choosing a boutique firm guarantees direct communication with a senior solicitor rather than junior delegates, and a highly personalized service.
Yes. Quay Law guarantees that every single file—whether it is a residential home purchase, a trust compliance audit, or a commercial lease review—is directly supervised and signed off by principal solicitor Ian Mellett, ensuring senior legal oversight.
For standard transactional files (like buying or selling a home, drafting Wills, or setting up a simple Family Trust), we provide a written, upfront fixed-fee proposal. For more complex matters, we charge on an hourly rate, which is detailed clearly in our letter of engagement.