Former lawyer suspended for 15 months

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Tribunal suspended Nigel Mason, a former lawyer, from practice for 15 months commencing on 8 March 2019. Details of the suspension are now available following the lapse of name suppression. Mr Mason pleaded guilty to two charges of misconduct brought by a lawyers standards committee. The…

Anthony George Whitcombe fined and censured

Greymouth lawyer Anthony George Whitcombe has been fined a total of $10,000 and censured after admitting two charges before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The charges arose after Mr Whitcombe agreed to act for both the seller and purchaser of a property who were well known to each…

Supervision and mentoring ordered for barrister

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered that Christchurch barrister Phillip Nigel Allan undergoes a period of six months’ supervision and mentoring. The supervision and mentoring is to be provided by Andrew McKenzie, a Christchurch barrister. Mr Allan is also required to engage another lawyer to complete a…

Extraordinary breach of legal rights in Nauru, Law Society says

The trial of 12 people without legal representation in Nauru’s Supreme Court is an extraordinary breach of individual rights and the rule of law, the New Zealand Law Society’s Rule of Law Committee says. “The criminal charges against what has been known as the Nauru 19 have been a blight on…

Law Society President congratulates new Queen’s Counsel appointees

New Zealand Law Society President Tiana Epati congratulates the eight lawyers who have been appointed Queen’s Counsel today. The Queen’s Counsel were announced by Attorney-General David Parker and were chosen under a process that now includes a new standard of demonstrating a commitment to improving access to justice. “Access to justice is…

From the Law Society

Tiana Epati It’s been more than a decade since the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (the Act) came into force and during that time many issues have arisen in relation to how the legislation works in practice and the need to keep pace with modern society. By the time this issue of…

Law Society joins DIA Industry Advisory Group

The New Zealand Law Society has joined the Department of Internal Affairs' Industry Advisory Group (IAG). The department has established this forum as a communication pathway with representatives of the sectors it supervises under the AML/CFT regime. The Law Society says it welcomes this initiative by the department. The IAG meets quarterly…

Proposed terrorism suppression 'control orders' being rushed, says Law Society

The New Zealand Law Society says the proposed terrorism suppression ‘control orders’ legislation is being rushed through Parliament with inadequate justification and insufficient scrutiny. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill to Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee and has recommended a…

Separations highlight problems in family law, relationship property report says

People in their forties and in relationships of between 10 to 20 years are most likely to separate, with three-quarters of New Zealanders getting divorced because they fell out of love, according to the New Zealand Relationship Property Survey 2019. Extra-marital affairs were the second main cause, followed by unreasonable behaviour.…

Pastoral Care Bill being rushed, needs further investigation says Law Society

A bill addressing gaps in the pastoral care of domestic tertiary students is being rushed through the legislative process without adequate analysis, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Education (Pastoral Care) Amendment Bill to Parliament’s Education and Workforce Select Committee today. The…