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.

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…

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New Zealand Law Society opposes proposed changes to Privacy Act

The New Zealand Law Society says the Privacy Act already enables government agencies to verify individuals’ identities for law enforcement purposes and that proposed changes to the Act are not needed. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Enhancing Identity Verification and Border Processes Legislation Bill to the Law…

Law Society magazine LawTalk celebrates 900th issue

LawTalk, the fortnightly New Zealand Law Society magazine, hits a milestone today by celebrating its 900th issue. The magazine for the legal profession first went to print in 1974 and has a circulation of over 13,000, going to New Zealand-based lawyers, judges, legal executives, members of Parliament and others involved in…

Law Society supports New Zealand Intelligence and Security Bill, but says safeguards could go further

The New Zealand Law Society believes legislation to improve the transparency and oversight of New Zealand’s intelligence and security agencies is a positive development, but recommends strengthening some of the proposed safeguards to enhance public confidence. The Law Society presented its submission on the New Zealand Intelligence and Security Bill today…

Tribunal declines to censure lawyer after self-reporting

Auckland lawyer Lisa Tregenza has admitted a charge of unsatisfactory conduct before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal after self-reporting her conduct to the New Zealand Law Society's Lawyers Complaints Service. Ms Tregenza was fined $5,000, ordered to pay the Law Society costs of $4,000 and to reimburse hearing…

Update on FATCA trust account requirements

 The New Zealand Law Society is contacting all trust account supervisors to update them on developments with the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in respect of lawyers' trust accounts. It says the Law Society is working with the New Zealand Bankers' Association and Inland Revenue's FATCA Team to…

Law Society provides guidance on sentencing considerations

New Zealand's judges have to balance many different factors when sentencing and a number of those factors in a particular case may be competing, New Zealand Law Society criminal law committee convenor Steve Bonnar QC says. The Law Society has released a short video in which Mr Bonnar is interviewed on sentencing considerations and asked to…

Keith Ian Jefferies suspended for six months

Wellington solicitor Keith Ian Jefferies has been suspended by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal for six months from 10 October 2016 after being convicted on drug charges. Mr Jefferies admitted a disciplinary charge of having been convicted of offences punishable by imprisonment which tend to bring his profession into disrepute. The convictions were for…

Misconduct charges against lawyer dismissed

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed two charges against a lawyer and granted him permanent name suppression. The alleged misconduct offences arose during a client's case. The client subsequently accused the lawyer of omitting items from a file which was sent to a barrister. The Tribunal accepted…

Dunedin courthouse restoration to start in October

Justice Minister Amy Adams says work will start on upgrading and refurbishing Dunedin's historic Stuart Street courthouse in early October, and is expected to finish in December 2017. Ms Adams says South Island company Amalgamated Building has won the contract for the work. "Dunedin's courthouse is not only one of the most…

Inland Revenue transitional powers to override tax legislation not justified

Giving Inland Revenue the ability to override the Tax Administration Act while it beds in its Business Transformation programme would give officials exceptionally wide powers and is not justified, the New Zealand Law Society says. "The Tax Administration Act covers a wide range of tax administration processes and rules that are fundamental to New Zealand's revenue…
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