As we’re drawing closer to another new practising year commencing, we would like to thank you for your commitment and dedication to the law profession and the people we serve together.

We are aware of the cost increases that all legal practices are facing¹. Likewise, we are faced with the increased operational costs consistent with inflation. The practising fee for 2024/25 will therefore increase by $70 to $1,500 (GST exclusive). We consider this increase necessary for the Law Society’s regulatory functions to continue to modernise and improve for the benefit of both consumers and the profession.

Please note that your practising certificate fee is not a membership subscription. Under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, funding received from practising certificate fees can only be spent on regulatory activities. See practising fee breakdown². The Law Society is charging a $290 plus GST membership subscription for members from 1 July 2024.

Inflation pressures and maintaining regulatory functions

The 2024/25 practising certificate fee increase is in line with inflation and will assist the Law Society to maintain our regulatory functions.

The increase also follows the findings of the Independent Review of the regulation of lawyers in Aotearoa New Zealand which considered there had been systematic underfunding of the Law Society’s regulatory functions. The Independent Review Report said an effective regulator needed to set its budget based on what was needed to effectively and efficiently regulate ³.

What happens next

We will email you soon with instructions for how to renew your practising certificate. Practising fees must be paid in full and your fit and proper declaration must be made by 30 June 2023. Please note that Friday 28 June is Matariki so the last working day in June is Thursday 27 June.

Find out more about practising fees

Membership

Lawyers’ professional obligations and payment of practising fees, contributions and levies are separate to membership of the Law Society, which is voluntary. Historically, the membership subscription was set at zero.

For the 2024/25 membership year, the Law Society will be charging a membership subscription for the first time. This will be $290 plus GST and will include membership of one section of your choice (eligibility criteria apply).

Information about member benefits, including partner programme discounts, terms and conditions and how to renew your membership is available on our website.

Register to renew your membership

Thanks again for your continuing support. We’re grateful to have you on the journey.

1. See Costs of Practice report.
2. A full set of accounts is published in our Annual Report.
3. See Regulating Lawyers in Aotearoa New Zealand, page 57 Systematic underfunding of regulatory functions.