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.

Women’s Suffrage Day an opportunity to reflect on gender diversity in the legal profession

The legal profession is being encouraged to acknowledge Women’s Suffrage Day as an ideal time to review and reflect on gender diversity and inclusion in the work place. Tuesday marked 124 years since women gained the right to vote in New Zealand. Following the women’s suffrage petition, on September 19, 1893 a…

New Zealand Law Society to introduce charter to better advance women in law

Lawyers are encouraged to comment on a draft Gender Diversity and Inclusion Charter being developed for the legal profession. The charter is an initiative of the Law Society’s Women’s Advisory Panel that was set up to look at ways to support the retention and advancement of women in the legal profession. “Gender…

Father's Day a timely reminder that workplace flexibility available to men too

It’s Father’s Day this weekend (Sunday, 3 September) and the New Zealand Law Society is reminding law firms that workplace flexibility is also available to men. 18-weeks Paid Parental Leave (PPL) is a government funded entitlement paid to eligible mothers and other primary carers such as adoptive parents, Home for Life…

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Law Society issues handy compliance summary

A proliferation of international agreements relating to finance and taxation has increased the compliance workload for law firms. The use of acronyns such as AML/CFT, AEOI/CRS and FATCA for these has not necessarily made it easy for lawyers to develop a clear view of the new requirements. The New Zealand Law…

Integrated domestic violence court merits further investigation

Further investigation of a proposed "integrated domestic violence court" has merit, although the proposal presents some difficulties, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society has communicated its comments on the Law Foundation-funded discussion paper One Court, One Judge - an integrated court system for New Zealand families affected by…

Unsatisfactory conduct finding for Whangarei lawyer

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has found a charge of unsatisfactory conduct against Whangarei lawyer Elizabeth Ann Gardner to be proven. Ms Gardner was found to have negligently made errors in the drafting of a family trust deed by failing to create a life interest in assets for…

NZLS calls for pre-1908 extension of expungement of homosexual offences

The New Zealand Law Society is recommending an amendment be made to the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill to cover all historical offences. In June, Justice Minister Amy Adams introduced the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill to Parliament. The bill provides for historic…

Proposed legal aid audit changes supported

The New Zealand Law Society says it supports the objective of minor changes proposed to the legal aid audit policy, of improving efficiency and adding value to the legal aid audit programme. The Law Society has provided comments on a Ministry of Justice consultation document, Proposed changes to the legal aid…

NZLS Advisory: Candidates for admission to the High Court

Having received many inquiries in the last week from the public, lawyers and the media, the New Zealand Law Society believes it would be helpful to outline the process and character requirements for someone who wants to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New…

Proposed changes to Legal Complaints Review Officer processes welcomed

Proposed changes to the law governing the Legal Complaints Review Officer (LCRO) are essential and it is hoped they can be implemented as quickly as possible, the New Zealand Law Society says. “Over 500 applications remain active with the LCRO. It can take up to three years for a decision to…

High Court reduces period of suspension for Keith Jefferies

The High Court has allowed, in part, an appeal by Keith Jefferies against a New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal decision to suspend him from practice for six months. Justice Williams has substituted an order suspending Mr Jefferies from legal practice for four months from 2 August 2017. In his appeal,…

NZ Law Society outlines practical steps for AEOI/CRS

The Automatic Exchange of Information/Common Reporting Standard (AEOI/CRS) came into force in New Zealand on 1 July 2017. This has important implications for lawyers in relation to operating their practices and solicitors' trust accounts. The New Zealand Law Society says lawyers practising from law firms without trust accounts will also need…

Lawyer struck off over dishonesty with trust money

A former Dunedin lawyer who only paid the contents of a trust account back after a former client complained to the New Zealand Law Society has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors. Richard James Woodhouse was struck off by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. He admitted…
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