Check security documents before they shape the deal

Because the headline commercial deal and the security position are not the same thing. A term sheet or investment summary may describe the funding at a high level, while the security documents set out what assets are caught, what restrictions apply, what events can trigger enforcement and what rights a lender or secured party may hold if things go wrong. Those details can affect future fundraising, asset sales and operational flexibility. Reviewing the security documents separately helps you understand the real legal weight of the deal.

It is commonly used by founders, growth-stage companies, borrowers, guarantors and investors involved in a financing or fundraising transaction where security is being granted or received. That might include a lender asking for a general security agreement, a founder being asked to sign a personal promise, or an investor wanting to understand how the security position fits with the broader transaction. It is especially useful where the documents arrive late in the process and the pressure to sign quickly is increasing.

We usually look at what property or assets are covered, whether the security is broad or limited, what promises and restrictions are being given, what default events are listed, and what enforcement rights may follow. We also consider whether the documents create practical problems for future borrowing, investor negotiations or business operations. If a personal promise is involved, that can raise a different level of personal risk from a company-only security document. The review is aimed at showing where the legal pressure points sit before you commit.

Often yes, provided the review is being done in the context of a New Zealand transaction or New Zealand legal issues. In that situation, we can comment on the documents from a New Zealand legal and practical perspective, including how the security terms may affect your local business position. What we cannot do under this service is advise on foreign law issues outside our jurisdiction. If the documents rely heavily on another country's law or enforcement framework, that may require overseas counsel as well.

That depends on what the review shows. In some cases, the next step is to sign because the security position is consistent with the commercial deal you expected. In others, it may be sensible to ask targeted questions, request amendments or pause before committing to a promise or broad security grant. The written summary and follow-up consult are there to help you decide which issues are material and which are less likely to justify negotiation. If further document work is needed, we can discuss that separately.

Submit an enquiry on this page or click 'Get started'. One of our legal consultants will review it within 1 business day and get in touch to understand what you need.

Your consultant will then email you a fixed-fee quote setting out the cost, scope and timing. If you're happy with it, you can accept the quote and sign our engagement letter online.

Once you've accepted, one of our Australian-qualified lawyers will work with you to complete your project. They'll contact you by email or phone if they need anything.

Sprintlaw works on fixed-fee pricing wherever possible, so you can review the scope and cost before you decide whether to proceed. For the Security Documents Review Pack service, pricing starts from $900.00.

After you enquire, a legal consultant will confirm what is included, the expected timing and whether any extra work is needed before you engage us.

We work online, so we can help wherever you are in New Zealand. Our team works remotely, mainly from Australia.

Your work is done by our Australian-qualified lawyers, who hold Australian practising certificates and specialise in business law. None of them are New Zealand lawyers or hold a New Zealand practising certificate.

Sprintlaw NZ Limited is a legal consultancy, not a law firm, and is not regulated by the New Zealand Law Society. We don't act in court or tribunal matters, conveyancing (including leases and business sales) or other reserved areas of work. Communications with Sprintlaw are unlikely to be protected by legal professional privilege. We still keep everything confidential under our engagement letter.