New Zealand Law Society - Law Society statements

Law Society statements

Women lawyers now in the majority

The New Zealand legal profession now has more women lawyers than male lawyers. The New Zealand Law Society says that of 13,103 lawyers currently practising in New Zealand, 6553 are women and 6550 are men. “I’ve been waiting with bated breath for a couple of years. I’m thrilled that we’re here”, says…

Verify emailed payment instructions, says Law Society

Lawyers and law firm staff should ensure they check and verify all payment instructions received by email, the New Zealand Law Society says. There are now many instances of fraudsters and hackers using internal email in law firms to attempt to steal money through fake transfer requests. The Law Society says it…

Law Society issues trust account checklist

The New Zealand Law Society's latest Practice Briefing is a Checklist for practices considering opening a trust account. The checklist provides information on the requirements for operating a trust account, accounting requirements and procedures, making payments from trust accounts, deduction of fees, reporting requirements and a range of other matters which…
Appointment of Law Society Acting Executive Director

Appointment of Law Society Acting Executive Director

Mary Ollivier has been appointed Acting Executive Director of the New Zealand Law Society, from 15 January. She takes over from Christine Grice, who has been appointed a High Court Judge. Mary Ollivier.  Mrs Ollivier has been the Law Society’s General Manager Regulatory since the role was established following major changes to…

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Former Napier lawyer struck off the roll

A lawyer who had been suspended from practising for the past year has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors. Last year Richard Henry Hill was found guilty in the Hastings District Court of a charge of criminal breach of trust. This related to offending in his capacity as…

New Zealand Law Society hours over 2017/18 holiday break

National Office (26 Waring Taylor Street, Wellington 6011). The New Zealand Law Society's national office is closed for the holiday break from 5pm Friday, 22 December 2017 until 8:30am, Monday, 8 January 2018. New Zealand Law Society branches All Law Society branch offices are closed for the holiday break as follows: Auckland: Closes at 5pm…

ACC vision still not achieved after fifty years

The vision unveiled fifty years ago by the Woodhouse Report is something to celebrate, but the accident compensation system which eventuated presents some very real access to justice issues, the New Zealand Law Society says. On 13 December 1967 the Royal Commission on “Compensation for Personal Injury in New Zealand” reported…

Cathedral reinstatement bill "rushed" and form not adequately justified

The New Zealand Law Society says the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Bill is rushed, and without adequate opportunity for consultation. It is also critical of the way the bill uses delegated legislation to amend primary legislation, as well as a time restriction on the right to judicial review and the use…

Guide to advise clients of AML/CFT information requirements

The New Zealand Law Society has released a suggested one-page explanation which lawyers can give clients to explain why they will need to collect and verify information as part of customer due diligence under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Funding of Terrorism requirements. Customer due diligence will require a law firm…

Law Society releases guidance on suspicious transactions and activities

The Law Society has released three guides for lawyers on the requirements and ethical considerations of reporting suspicious activities and transactions when the Anti-money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism phase 2 requirements apply from 1 July 2018. The guides, the first in a series called "Preparing for AML/CFT", are available…
Commitment to increase in lead roles for women lawyers sought

Commitment to increase in lead roles for women lawyers sought

Lawyers and their clients are being urged to adopt a policy which requires them to commit to increasing the proportion of women lawyers leading court proceedings and other contentious matters. The Gender Equitable Engagement and Instruction Policy has been launched in Auckland and Wellington at the offices of law firm Russell…

Auckland barrister struck off

Auckland barrister Anthony David Banbrook has been struck off the roll by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. He did not appear at the hearing which was held on 2 November 2017 and he did not file any response to the charges. The tribunal issued the reasons for its…

Law Society targets sexual harassment in the workplace

Any sexual harassment in legal workplaces is absolutely unacceptable, New Zealand Law Society President Kathryn Beck says. The Law Society’s monthly magazine LawTalk has published an article by a New Zealand lawyer which outlines the harassment she underwent while she was a young lawyer. Her experiences of receiving the unwelcomed attentions…

Peter James Morahan suspended from practice

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended Lower Hutt lawyer Peter James Morahan from practice as a barrister and solicitor for four months effective from 4 December 2017. Mr Morahan was found guilty of two charges of negligence or incompetence in his professional capacity that have been of…
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