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.

CPD Declarations and audits – 2018

The 2017-18 CPD year has now ended. Almost 99% of the profession completed a timely declaration for this period, which is a fantastic result. For those of you who have yet to complete this requirement, you can still make a declaration. What next for your CPD? Your next step is to review your…

Work continues on preventing harassment and bullying in the legal profession

Meetings held by the New Zealand Law Society with organised groups across the legal community have resulted in some excellent collaborative initiatives to work on positively changing the culture of the profession, says Law Society President Kathryn Beck. The meetings were held in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton and Wellington during April…

Strong response to workplace environment survey

The Law Society’s survey of the workplace environment of practising lawyers had been completed by 3,520 lawyers when it closed on 30 April. The survey, looking at the behaviours lawyers have experienced in their workplaces, was carried out by market research firm Colmar Brunton for the Law Society. It was sent to…

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Sign the Gender Equality Charter today, says Law Society President

Nothing now stands in the way of lawyers, law firms, barristers' chambers or legal teams signing the New Zealand Law Society's Gender Equality Charter, Law Society President Kathryn Beck says. The Charter was launched at Parliament on 12 April. It is a set of commitments aimed at improving the retention and…

Lawyer volunteers needed

The New Zealand Law Society is looking for practitioners to assist on a voluntary basis in relation to the carrying out of its regulatory functions. The time required is not unduly onerous and volunteers may only be asked whether they can assist once or twice a year. Applications are welcomed…

'Waka jumping' bill raises constitutional concerns

A bill imposing significant limits on MPs’ constitutional rights may have a chilling effect on MPs’ freedom of speech inside and outside Parliament, the New Zealand Law Society says. In a submission on the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill presented to Parliament’s Justice Committee, the Law Society said more evidence is needed…

Do not click on unknown attachments, says Law Society

The New Zealand Law Society is again warning lawyers and law firm staff to think twice before clicking on attachments in emails sent to them. The warning has been prompted by appearance of an email which uses the name of a genuine employee in a genuine and reputable law firm and…

Law Society announces regulatory working group membership

The New Zealand Law Society has announced the members of the working group which will consider if improvements can be made to enable better reporting of harassment in the legal profession to the Law Society. The working group will be chaired by Dame Silvia Cartwright, who was a District Court Judge…

Wellington lawyer struck off roll for disgraceful conduct

A Wellington lawyer has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors for disgraceful and dishonourable conduct. Ian David Hay was found guilty of one charge which included a reckless breach of Rule 5.10 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008. The charge before the…

Comments on the judiciary by lawyers

Lawyers are quite entitled to express views publicly which are critical of judicial decisions made in cases where they have not appeared, but they are expected to be careful not to do so in a way that may undermine public confidence in the judicial system when doing so, New Zealand…

Operation of lawyers standards committees clarified

Each of New Zealand’s 24 lawyers standards committees is required to make its own decisions based on the particular facts before it and after considering the views of the parties, the New Zealand Law Society says. Reported comments by an Auckland barrister on her interactions with a standards committee have focused…

Law Society releasing Gender Equality Charter to legal profession today

The New Zealand Law Society is releasing its Gender Equality Charter to the legal profession today. It’s the Law Society’s response to concern about a lack of progression of women lawyers into senior positions such as partners and directors of law firms, Queen’s Counsel as well as chief legal advisers or…

Property forfeiture not appropriate for infringement offences

The New Zealand Law Society says is does not consider that forfeiture of property is an appropriate legal consequence of committing an infringement offence. In a submission to Parliament’s Environment Committee on the Conservation (Infringement System) Bill, the Law Society says the bill introduces an infringement system into conservation related legislation.…
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