Law Society congratulates Justices Joseph Williams and David Goddard

The appointment of Justice Joseph Williams as the first Māori on the Supreme Court is something all New Zealanders should be proud of, says New Zealand Law Society President Tiana Epati. “This is an historic appointment for Māori as tangata whenua, and for all of Aotearoa, New Zealand. He represents a…

Mohammed Idris Hanif struck off roll of barristers and solicitors

Mohammed Idris Hanif has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. In 2018 Mr Hanif was found guilty of knowingly providing false and misleading information to Immigration New Zealand and was sentenced to 10 months home detention.   Mr Hanif had acted…

Law Society supports new body to review potential miscarriages of justice

A bill establishing an independent body to review potential miscarriages of justice, and refer suitable cases to appeal courts, will enhance transparency and public confidence in the criminal justice system, the New Zealand Law Society says.   The Law Society has presented its submission on the Criminal Cases Review Commission Bill to…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…