NZLS proposes alternative to interest deduction cap

The New Zealand Law Society says there is no sound basis for an Inland Revenue proposal to put a cap on the deduction permitted for interest paid by a New Zealand borrower to a non-resident related-party lender. In a submission to Inland Revenue on the Government discussion document BEPS - Strengthening…

Concern at anti-avoidance rule impact on treaties

A proposed package of amendments and new anti-avoidance rules for transfer pricing is of concern to the New Zealand Law Society for its proposed approach to amending the effect of New Zealand's existing international tax treaties. In a submission to the Inland Revenue Department on the Government discussion document BEPS -…

Richard Chen suspended for two years

Former Auckland lawyer Gang "Richard" Chen has been suspended for two years from 24 March 2017 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Chen admitted having been convicted of five criminal offences, four of which were punishable by imprisonment and tended to bring his profession into disrepute. The…

New Zealand Law Society backs Principal Family Court Judge statement

Comments made by Principal Family Court Judge Laurence Ryan about questions being posed by The Backbone Collective group are absolutely appropriate, New Zealand Law Society Family Law Section chair Michelle Duggan says. “It is very disappointing that what is an important and sincere project aimed at confronting violence against women has…

NZ Law Society guidance on compulsory client information disclosure

The New Zealand Law Society has released a Practice Briefing on Compulsion of Client Information and Responding to a Search Warrant. The briefing has been produced as the Law Society regularly receives inquiries from lawyers who are concerned about their obligations to disclose client information under compulsion from Police or other…

WiFi now available in NZLS Libraries

WiFi is now available for lawyers using the New Zealand Law Society High Court libraries in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and the Hamilton branch library. The Law Society Libraries are available for use by members and associate members of the New Zealand Law Society, the judiciary, Ministry of Justice Court staff…

Excellent CPD completion rate

Nearly 98% of New Zealand’s practising lawyers have declared that they completed their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements in the year to 31 March 2017. Lawyers who provide regulated services under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 must maintain a CPD Plan and Record (CPDPR) and complete 10 hours of CPD…

NZ Law Society welcomes temporary solution to family legal aid lawyer shortage

The New Zealand Law Society welcomes any solution, even temporary, that will offer relief to a shortage in family legal aid lawyers in Wairarapa. But it stresses asking lawyers in other areas to assist is a short term fix which doesn’t address the fundamental problems causing the shortage of lawyers. The Ministry…

Marc Cropper suspended for three months

Former Auckland lawyer Marc Cropper has been suspended for three months from 24 March 2017 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Cropper had been convicted of three offences of possession of a class A controlled drug, methamphetamine. He was sentenced to nine months supervision, a $300 fine…

Report recommends replacement of RMA

The Productivity Commission has completed its inquiry into allocation of land use in cities with release of the Better Urban Planning Report which recommends replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). The inquiry which has produced the final 516-page report asked the Commission to identify the most appropriate system for allocating…