CPD declarations due within a month

The New Zealand Law Society is reminding New Zealand's lawyers that their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) declarations are due not later than 5 working days after Friday, 31 March 2017. The CPD Rules apply to all lawyers, and the CPD year runs from 1 April to 31 March. The Rules require…

Warren Richard McFie struck off roll

Former Auckland lawyer Warren Richard McFie has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr McFie admitted misappropriating $237,014.24 of client funds and consented to being struck off the roll. He also admitted overcharging a client in 23 invoices he…

NZLS points to further AML/CFT Phase 2 exposure draft concerns

In a supplementary submission to the Ministry of Justice on the AML/CFT Phase 2 exposure draft bill, the New Zealand Law Society says it has identified some further concerns. The Law Society's first submission on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism reforms identified a number of issues, and stated…

Law Society recommends changes to Parliament's rules to achieve better legislation

The New Zealand Law Society recommends that Parliament consider changes to its procedures and rules to ensure better public engagement and to enhance the quality of proposed legislation. The Law Society has presented its submission on the current review of Parliament’s Standing Orders to the Standing Orders select committee. “The Law Society…

Christchurch fires place pressure on lawyers

The thoughts of lawyers around New Zealand are with members of the profession in Christchurch who are having to cope with the devastating fires, New Zealand Law Society Executive Director Christine Grice says. Ms Grice says the danger and damage to property, power cuts and the large plumes of smoke are…

Could you be breaking the "laws of love" on Valentine's Day in the office?

For most people Valentine’s Day (14 February) is innocent fun, a day where many couples simply celebrate being together. And it’s not uncommon to find people who work together in a close personal relationship. But in some cases a person’s anonymous admiration for another person at work or in the office on…

Agreement with draft Trust Bill policy objectives

The New Zealand Law Society says it agrees with the policy objectives of the exposure draft of the Trusts Bill, but notes the risk that efforts to restate existing statute and common law in the new Act may result in the legislation being too prescriptive. The policy objectives are to update…

Complaints against lawyers continue to fall, says NZLS report

Complaints against lawyers continued to reduce, the New Zealand Law Society's annual report on its regulatory activities for the year to 30 June 2016 says. The report was tabled in Parliament on 24 January 2017. It shows that there were 1,363 complaints lodged against lawyers in 2015/16 - falling 11.3% from…

Introduction of AML/CFT reforms for lawyers too early, says NZLS

Application of Phase 2 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism reforms to lawyers on 1 January 2018 is much too early, the New Zealand Law Society says. In its response on the exposure draft of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, the Law Society…

NZLS support for abolition of double-actionability choice

The New Zealand Law Society supports plans to abolish the double-actionability choice of law rule for tort contained in the Private International Law (Choice of Law in Tort) Bill. In a submission to the Justice and Electoral select committee on the bill, the Law Society says it also supports its replacement…