New Zealand Law Society - Law Society statements

Law Society statements

Aaron Rodney Nicholls suspended from practice on an interim basis

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has suspended Auckland lawyer Aaron Rodney Nicholls from practice on an interim basis from 17 April 2024. The Standards Committee sought an interim suspension order in respect of Mr Nicholls after laying charges which alleged misappropriation of client funds and deceitful conduct.

Regulatory working group report to be presented

The New Zealand Law Society’s Board will tomorrow (Friday, 14 December) consider the report of the independent working group which has been investigating whether regulatory change is required to address unacceptable behaviour in the legal profession. The working group chair, Dame Silvia Cartwright, will present the group’s report and recommendations to…

New Queen's Counsel congratulated

The New Zealand Law Society has extended its congratulations to the members of the legal profession who have been appointed Queen’s Counsel. “Appointment as Queen’s Counsel is recognition of excellence at the highest level. It is an honour which is hard to achieve. Since 1907 there have been many thousands of…

Law Society's Gender Equality Charter hits 100 signatories

The New Zealand Law Society’s Gender Equality Charter has now been adopted by 100 legal workplaces across the country. The charter was launched to the profession by the Law Society in April this year. 100 signatories represents over 2700 lawyers of the about 13300 that hold practising certificates in New Zealand. Law Society…

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Court industrial action a threat to safety

A serious incident at the Christchurch District Court this morning was a direct result of the situation created by the unresolved collective bargaining between the Ministry of Justice and court staff who are members of the PSA, the New Zealand Law Society says. “From being disruptive of court hearings, this situation…

Changes needed to Family Court, says Law Society

Implementing three key changes would have an immediate positive effect on the Family Court, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society has released a comprehensive submission on the 2014 family justice reforms to the Independent Panel which is examining and evaluating their impact. “The Family Court deals with cases that…

Brian Robert Ellis struck off roll of barristers and solicitors

Auckland lawyer Brian Robert Ellis has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors of the High Court by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The tribunal had found Mr Ellis guilty of misconduct. In June 2018 in another matter it found he had acted for a client…

Upgrades to Law Society Library kiosks completed

Our apologies if you were trying to access Steve Dukeson's article from LawPoints or NZLS Weekly. We got the link wrong. We will re-run Steve's article next week, but it can be accessed from here. The New Zealand Law Society has completed upgrades to the legal information access kiosks available around…
Measures to improve LCRO processes welcomed

Measures to improve LCRO processes welcomed

The New Zealand Law Society has welcomed the third reading of the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill, which is now awaiting Royal assent. The legislation includes provisions which will make the resolution of complaints against lawyers more efficient and timely by giving additional powers to the Legal Complaints Review Officer…

Legal Salary Survey finds no distinguishable gender pay differences in first decade

A survey of salaries paid to employed lawyers has found little difference between the salaries of male and female lawyers with the same levels of experience in their first decade of legal practice. The New Zealand Law Society and Niche Consulting Group Legal Salary Survey 2018 was sent in August 2018…
Tiana Epati is New Zealand Law Society President-Elect

Tiana Epati is New Zealand Law Society President-Elect

Gisborne lawyer Tiana Epati has been elected President of the New Zealand Law Society and will take up the role in April 2019. Tiana Epati. Ms Epati will take over from the current President, Kathryn Beck, who completes her three-year terms in April 2019. Her election means she will be the fourth woman…

Interim suspension order made for Muhammad Sahu Khan

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has made an order for the interim suspension from legal practice of Dr Muhammad Shams-Ud-Dean Sahu Khan. The order was made on 15 October 2018 and took effect immediately. The tribunal has not yet delivered reasons for the order, which relates to proceedings currently…

Law Society rejects assertion of revenue harvesting

The New Zealand Law Society says it totally rejects reported assertions that it goes easy on lawyers in large law firms in order to continue collecting revenue from practising certificates. “The Law Society regulates all 14,000 lawyers with a New Zealand practising certificate without any preference. To suggest that a lawyer…

Lawyers urged to be patient through court industrial action

The New Zealand Law Society is asking lawyers to be patient during industrial action by Ministry of Justice PSA members. In a communication to the Presidents of the Law Society's 13 branches, it says the industrial action is affecting different parts of the country in different ways. "Some branches have indicated that…
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