High Court quashes adverse finding against Papali'i Lagolago

Porirua lawyer Papali’i Toti Lagolago has had an adverse disciplinary finding made against her quashed by the High Court. The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal had previously found a charge proven against her. This was a charge of negligence or incompetence in her professional capacity of such a degree…

Richard Zhao suspended for four months

Auckland lawyer Richard Zhao has been censured and suspended from practice for four months from 1 December 2016 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The Tribunal has found a charge of misconduct against Mr Zhao proven. He has also been ordered to pay the New Zealand Law Society…

Richard Austin censured for unsatisfactory conduct

Whanganui lawyer Richard Geoffrey Warren Austin has been censured and fined $3,000 after admitting a charge of unsatisfactory conduct in the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. His unsatisfactory conduct arose when he falsely certified signatures on declarations which were submitted to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). Mr Austin did…

Name suppression granted to censured lawyer

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has found a lawyer guilty of negligence or incompetence of such a degree as to reflect on his fitness to practise or as to bring the profession into disrepute. The lawyer has been granted permanent name suppression. The lawyer, Mr M, had been…

Law Society disagrees with IRD view of horse racing treatment

The New Zealand Law Society says it does not agree with Inland Revenue's view on the tax treatment of racing syndicates or partnerships. The Law Society has provided its comments on IRD's Question We've Been Asked - Goods and Services Tax - Whether a Racing Syndicate or Partnership Can be a…

Remember that Wellington lawyers still finding it tough: Kathryn Beck

Lawyers around New Zealand are reminded that there are members of the legal profession in the Wellington region who are still experiencing work access and other logistical problems because of Monday morning’s force 7.8 earthquake, New Zealand Law Society President Kathryn Beck says. “While the focus is obviously on Kaikoura and…

Rushed changes to electoral legislation fall short

The New Zealand Law Society is concerned that changes to electoral legislation in preparation for the 2017 general election are being rushed through without reasonable opportunity for public input. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Electoral Amendment Bill to the Justice and Electoral select committee. Law Society  spokesperson, David Cochrane…

Proposed changes to ACC review costs "insufficient"

A proposal to increase the amount clients of ACC can claim in costs incurred during dispute resolution processes doesn’t go far enough, says the New Zealand Law Society. In a discussion document called Consultation on Changes to the Injury Prevention (Review Costs and Appeals) Regulations 2002, the Ministry of Business, Innovation…

FMA Conduct Guide useful, but clearer description of purpose needed

The Financial Market Authority's Guide to the FMA's View of Conduct is a useful document for directors and licensed financial service providers, the New Zealand Law Society says. However, in its comments on the Guide, the Law Society says it is important that it provides a clearer description of its purpose…

Alcohol interlock sentence proposals could create anomalies: NZ Law Society

Proposals in the Land Transport Amendment Bill to change alcohol interlock disqualification sentences could create legal anomalies, says the New Zealand Law Society. The Bill aims to make alcohol interlock sentences mandatory for serious and repeat drink-drivers. Drivers who have two or more drink-driving convictions within five years, and first-time offenders…