Some growth in online advertised solicitor jobs

Jobs advertised online for solicitors rose by 2% between the December 2015 and December 2016 quarters, the latest Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Jobs Online report says. The Jobs Online report measures changes in online job advertisements from three internet job boards - SEEK, Trade Me Jobs and the…

24 January is Day of the Endangered Lawyer

New Zealand Law Society President Kathryn Beck has praised the courage of lawyers around the world who risk harassment, imprisonment or even death to stand up for the rights of their clients.Lawyers’ organisations and lawyers internationally are recognising 24 January as the Day of the Endangered Lawyer. “Each year a disturbingly…

Francisc Catalin Deliu suspended from practice for 15 months

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered Auckland barrister Francisc Catalin Deliu to be suspended from practice for a period of 15 months effective from 1 February 2017. The suspension was imposed after the tribunal found Mr Deliu guilty of six charges of professional misconduct, one charge of…

Gary Horne suspended from practice for three months

Christchurch lawyer Gary Horne has been suspended from practice for a period of three months effective from 1 February 2017. Mr Horne admitted one charge of misconduct and two charges of unsatisfactory conduct before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Two of the charges related to his actions when acting…

Sir Bruce Slane a great communicator

The death of Sir Bruce Slane means the legal profession has lost a great communicator and campaigner for individual rights, New Zealand Law Society President Kathryn Beck says. Sir Bruce died on 7 January 2017, aged 85. In a long career of service to the public and the legal profession he…

Christopher Twigley struck off

Former Gisborne and Tauranga lawyer Christopher Twigley has been struck off by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyances Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Twigley admitted six charges of misconduct on the basis he committed reckless contraventions of his obligations under the legislation and rules regulating legal practice. After a disputed facts hearing the Tribunal…

Bank changes to electronic payment processing guidance issued

The New Zealand Law Society's Property Law Section has issued guidance on changes to the way banks process electronic payments. In November 2016 banks implemented two different changes to the way electronic payments are processed, it says. Intraday processing: Banks now have a 1-hour processing timeframe for all electronic payments and direct debits.…

New Zealand Law Society hours over 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 3pm Friday, 23 December 2016 until 8:30am, Monday, 9 January 2017. Urgent inquiries during the closure may be to Mary Ollivier, General Manager Regulatory, phone 027 671 9431. Inquiries by…

Cho Weon Yoo fined after admitting charge

Auckland lawyer Cho Weon “Matthew” Yoo has been fined $3,500 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal after admitting a charge of negligence or incompetence in his professional capacity. Mr Yoo has also been ordered to pay the New Zealand Law Society costs of $10,500 and to reimburse hearing…

Fiji needs to crackdown on police brutality, says New Zealand Law Society

The New Zealand Law Society is backing Amnesty International’s call for Fiji to crackdown on torture and brutality meted out by its police force and military. Amnesty International has released a report called Beating Justice: How Fiji’s Security Forces Get Away With Torture, which says an “ingrained culture of torture” has…