New Zealand Law Society - Law Society statements

Law Society statements

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…

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Michael Rawiri Taia fined and subject to supervision order

Auckland lawyer Michael Rawiri Taia has been fined $1,500 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal after being found guilty of misconduct. He has also been ordered to pay or refund total costs of $13,426 to the New Zealand Law Society and to undergo a term of supervision of…

Female counsel appearance research a call to action

The release of research showing that female lawyers are greatly under-represented in our highest courts is a call to further action, New Zealand Law Society President Kathryn Beck says. “The message is very clear. Over the last six years there has been little change in what is an unacceptable low proportion…

Ministry congratulated on Empowerment Diversity award

The Ministry of Justice is to be congratulated for winning the Empowerment Award at the 2018 Diversity Works NZ Diversity Awards, New Zealand Law Society President Kathryn Beck says. “The ministry is a large and diverse organisation which works in over 100 locations across New Zealand. The way its management has…

Rico Scott Horsley censured

Auckland lawyer Rico Scott Horsley has been censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. On 26 June 2018 the Tribunal found Mr Horsley guilty of negligence in his professional capacity. It found that his actions were at the lower end of the scale of negligence and noted that…

Two standing for New Zealand Law Society President

Two current members of the New Zealand Law Society Board are standing for election as the next New Zealand Law Society President. The closing date for nominations is 23 September. The term of current President Kathryn Beck ends at the Law Society Council’s annual meeting in April 2019. The new President…

Law Society seeking independent voice on governing Board

The New Zealand Law Society is seeking a non-lawyer to provide an independent perspective at meetings of its governing Board. “This is an important development in our commitment to a process of significant cultural change within the Law Society itself,” Law Society President Kathryn Beck says. “This will be the first time…

Chair of Law Society's Family Law Section on Expert Reference Group

The New Zealand Law Society welcomes the inclusion of Family Law Section Chair, Kirsty Swadling to the Expert Reference Group. The group will assist the Independent Panel in examining the 2014 family justice reforms. FLS chair, Kirsty Swadling is a barrister and mediator with over 30 years’ experience in litigation and dispute…

Michael Brian Meyrick suspended for two years

Michael Brian Meyrick has been suspended from practising as a barrister and solicitor for two years. The suspension has been imposed by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal and is effective from 3 May 2018. Mr Meyrick has retired from legal practice. On 3 May the Tribunal found Mr Meyrick…

Legislative changes needed to support political participation by disabled people

Legislation seeking to facilitate disabled people’s participation in elections and standing for political office needs to be changed to make it clear and workable, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Election Access Fund Bill to Parliament’s Governance and Administration Committee. The private…

Legal salary survey underway

The New Zealand Law Society and legal recruitment specialist Niche Consulting Group are carrying out a legal salary of employed lawyers in law firms and working in-house. An invitation to participate was emailed to over 7,500 lawyers on 8 August. The objective of the survey is to provide both employers and their…
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