Kerry Noble Williams suspended from legal practice

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended Kerry Noble Williams from legal practice for nine months commencing on 21 February 2020. In November 2019 the Tribunal found Mr Williams guilty of professional misconduct under the Law Practitioners Act 1982. Mr Williams was charged under the legislation which preceded…

Sexual violence trial reforms must strike the right balance, says Law Society

The New Zealand Law Society says it supports efforts to reduce retraumatisation for sexual violence complainants, but proposed law changes need to strike the right balance between ensuring complainants are treated fairly and upholding the fundamental right to a fair trial. The Law Society presented its submission on the Sexual Violence…

Vicki Lee Pomeroy fined and censured

Auckland lawyer Vicki Lee Pomeroy has been fined $5,000 and censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The Tribunal found Ms Pomeroy guilty of unsatisfactory conduct in October 2019 for failing to comply with a request by a New Zealand Law Society lawyers standards committee to produce for…

NZLS Board Approves Proposed Changes to Lawyers’ Conduct Rules

The New Zealand Law Society (Law Society) Board has approved draft changes to two sets of rules designed to deliver clear conduct and reporting standards for lawyers to address discrimination, harassment, bullying and other unacceptable conduct in the legal community. “The proposed changes will strengthen our ability to address unacceptable behaviour…

Paris internship opportunity for young lawyers

The New Zealand Law Society is taking applications for Stage International, an eight-week traineeship hosted by the Paris Bar which attracts young French-speaking foreign lawyers from all over the world. The aim of the internship is to help lawyers to learn about law and the practice of the legal profession in…

Patrick James Kennelly censured and fined

Orewa lawyer Patrick James Kennelly has been censured and fined $20,000 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal after admitting that he breached an undertaking given to the Tribunal and also breached the Trust Account Regulations. Mr Kennelly’s undertaking was that he would commit to moving to approved trust…

APEC 2021 security legislation needs additional safeguards, says Law Society

The New Zealand Law Society says legislation to support safety and security for world leaders and others attending APEC 2021 events needs additional safeguards and public scrutiny of the powers to be given to the armed forces and APEC security staff. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Asia-Pacific…

Daniel Robert Healy censured and fined

Jersey-based lawyer Daniel Robert Healy has been censured and fined $8,000 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Healy, who holds a practising certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society, admitted one charge of being convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment with the conviction tending to…

Day of Endangered lawyer shows value of Rule of Law

The international Day of the Endangered Lawyer is an opportunity to recognise our good fortune to live in a country where the rule of law is respected, New Zealand Law Society Rule of Law Committee convenor Austin Forbes QC says. “Lawyers around the world have marked the Day of the Endangered…

New Zealand Law Society will move into new national office in late 2020

The New Zealand Law Society will move into a new national office it has leased in central Wellington in September 2020. The announcement follows a decision to move out of the previous office in the central business district at 26 Waring Taylor Street in July this year after a Detailed Seismic…