Law Society suggests summary to accompany terms of engagement

The New Zealand Law Society has released a simple short summary of the key information contained in terms of engagement. This can be given to clients along with the more detailed terms of engagement. Terms of engagement play a critical role in establishing the expectation between lawyers and their clients. However,…

Implied criticism of defence lawyers unacceptable

The right to a lawyer is a fundamental part of our justice system and any criticism of lawyers for defending people charged with heinous crimes is not acceptable, the New Zealand Law Society says. “The current comments on Green MP Golriz Ghahraman appear to be over her alleged failure to state…

Hamilton lawyer censured

Hamilton barrister and solicitor John Campion has been censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal after failure to fully comply with a lawyers standards committee order. The tribunal found that Mr Campion's inaction on the matter amounted to misconduct. Mr Campion was ordered by the standards committee on 14…

Law reform committees a great blend

The New Zealand Law Society's 16 new law reform committees are a wonderful blend of youth and experience, Law Society President Kathryn Beck says. The Law Society recently decided on the membership of its law reform committees for the next two years from September 2017, bringing together the skills and expertise…

Redraft needed for proposed AML/CFT Annual Report form

The Annual Report form in proposed Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations needs to be redrafted, the New Zealand Law Society says. The form - which will need to be completed by the majority of New Zealand's lawyers - is poorly constructed with unclear terminology, repetitious and takes…

Support for Immigration NZ complaints and feedback process objectives

The objectives of Immigration New Zealand's new Complaints and Feedback Policy and Process are supported by the New Zealand Law Society. The new policy and process was introduced in June 2017 and a post-implementation review of the new policy and process is now being undertaken. "The Law Society supports the creation of…

NZ relationship property report highlights industry and social issues

More efficient resolution of relationship property cases, greater certainty over the status of trusts, and stronger penalties for failing to disclose information are potential areas for relationship property law and practice reform, according to a survey of New Zealand family lawyers. The New Zealand Relationship Property Survey 2017 produced by Grant…

Christchurch lawyer censured

Christchurch solicitor Julica Louie Carmichael has been censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal after admitting a charge of misconduct. The tribunal said Ms Carmichael created a false document and then falsely certified it in order to shortcut a transaction. This involved falsely completing an Authority and Instruction (A&I)…

Reminder on need for junior counsel practising certificates

The Chief Justice has written to the President of the New Zealand Law Society to ask for practitioners to be reminded of their responsibilities under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 to ensure that junior counsel hold current practising certificates or else to seek appropriate dispensation. Dame Sian Elias says the…

Positive feedback for draft legal aid application form

Feedback from lawyers indicates a consensus that a draft new family and civil legal aid application form is much clearer and more user-friendly, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society has provided comments to the Ministry of Justice on the draft form, which will combine five current application forms…