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…

Regulatory Working Group finalising report

The New Zealand Law Society Regulatory Working Group is in the process of finalising its report, which identifies and proposes improvements to the legal profession's current regulatory framework, systems and processes. The focus of the Working Group's work is to enable better reporting, prevention, detection and support of victims of sexual…

Law Society statement supporting appointment of Culture Change Taskforce chair

The New Zealand Law Society fully supports the appointment of Kathryn Beck to lead the Culture Change Taskforce. The Taskforce’s objective is to drive and guide systems and culture change within the legal community. The 16 members have been appointed for an initial three-year term. It met for the first time…

Law Society says independent evaluation of Audio Visual Services pilot for courtrooms needed

The New Zealand Law Society supports the use of Audio Visual Services (AVS) in appropriate cases in principle, but says an independent evaluation of a recent Auckland pilot is needed to ensure defendant’s rights are not breached. The Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee has been involved in the Auckland Custody Unit…

Sarah Alawi wins Hon Rex Mason Prize for Legal Writing

Auckland lawyer Sarah Alawi has won the 2017 Hon Rex Mason Prize for Excellence in Legal Writing. Ms Alawi is an associate with Auckland law firm Gilbert/Walker, who she joined after completing two years as a Judges' Clerk at the High Court in Auckland Sarah Alawi joined Gilbert/Walker after completing two years as…

Law Society Taskforce focused on culture change

The Law Society’s ‘Culture Change Taskforce’ has met for the first time on its commitment to ‘drive and guide systems and culture change within the legal community’. The Taskforce was one of the Law Society’s initiatives in response to its Legal Workplace Environment Survey which was released in late May. The…

Women’s Suffrage Day milestone: ideal time to reflect on gender equality in the workplace

Today marks 125 years since women gained the right to vote in New Zealand. The first female lawyer to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court, was Ethel Benjamin on 4 May, 1897. In April this year, the Law Society released the Gender Equality Charter to the law…

Robyn Philippa Joy Fendall struck off Roll

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has struck Robyn Philippa Joy Fendall off the roll of barristers and solicitors. Ms Fendall was found to have been guilty of professional misconduct by reason of disgraceful or dishonourable conduct. Her misconduct related to false declarations made in relation to an income protection…