Rushed amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act should raise concerns

A bill making important changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act raises significant concerns and is being rushed through the legislative process without adequate evidence and analysis, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill to Parliament’s Health select…

Law Society releases information on charging for AML/CFT compliance

The New Zealand Law Society has released a Practice Briefing on charging clients for compliance with AML/CFT requirements. AML/CFT - Charging clients for compliance says the Law Society's view is that the regulatory framework under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 does not prevent lawyers from passing on a genuine compliance…

Crown pastoral land proposals could lead to duplication

Proposals for changes to the management of Crown pastoral land could result in unecessary and inefficient regulatory duplication, the Law Society has said. Commenting on a Land Information New Zealand discussion document on the proposed changes, the Law Society says it appears a dual regulatory regime is proposed, under the Crown…

Use of DNA in criminal investigations changes needed

The New Zealand Law Society agrees with the Law Commission that a new Act is needed to replace the Criminal Invesigations (Bodily Samples) Act 1995. In a submission on the Commission’s Issues Paper, The Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations, the Law Society says it agrees with the Commission that the…

Clarity sought for internet site blocking powers

There are possible legal arguments under the Copyright Act 1994 and the courts’ inherent jurisdiction that a New Zealand copyright owner can seek an internet site blocking injunction where an ISP is being put on notice that its services are being used to illegally upload/download or stream copyright infringing content,…

Expansion of Labour Inspector powers more than a regulatory fix

Proposed changes in the Regulatory Systems (Workforce) Amendment Bill (No 2) which expand the powers of Labour Inspectors could be considered substantive and more than merely a “regulatory fix”, the New Zealand Law Society has said in a submission on the bill. It notes that the bill is an omnibus bill…

Oranga Tamariki Chief Executive youth advocate appointments approved

The New Zealand Law Society’s Board has approved the Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki/Ministry for Children (or his/her appropriately authorised delegate/nominee) as an approved “body, officer, or person” for direct instruction of barristers for the purposes of rules 14.5.1(h) and 14.6 of the Conduct and Client Care Rules.   The Board granted…

Everyone has the right to a lawyer, says Law Society

Any time that a lawyer is criticised directly or indirectly for defending someone is a regrettable attack on the rule of law, the New Zealand Law Society says. “It is very disappointing to see the re-emergence of public comments which seem to infer that Green MP Golriz Ghahraman should regret having…

Meet Tiana Epati

Gisborne Criminal Defence lawyer Tiana Epati is the new New Zealand Law Society President. She is the 31st elected President and the fourth woman to have been elected since the first President in 1897. Meet Tiana Epati and find out more about her vision for the legal community:

Tiana Epati becomes President of the New Zealand Law Society

Gisborne criminal defence lawyer Tiana Epati has taken over as President of the New Zealand Law Society. At 43 years old, Tiana Epati is the second-youngest President elected. She is also the fourth woman to have been elected since the first President in 1897. She is a partner with Gisborne law firm…