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.

2024/25 practising fees and membership subscription

As we’re drawing closer to another new practising year commencing, we would like to thank you for your commitment and dedication to the law profession and the people we serve together. We are aware of the cost increases that all legal practices are facing1. Likewise, we are faced with the increased…

Former lawyer suspended for six months for “outrageous and insulting communications”

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found a former lawyer, known as Mr U, guilty of personal misconduct for “outrageous and insulting” statements he made while acting for himself in Family Court proceedings. The Tribunal found the conduct was “very serious” and Mr U was not…

Law Society navigates towards its future

The last year has been one of significant challenges and navigating change for the New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa.

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More thought needed on employee share scheme proposals

Not enough thought seems to have been given to the practical issues which will flow from enacting new employee share scheme taxation rules, the New Zealand Law Society says. Commenting on an Inland Revenue issues paper on taxation of employee share schemes, the Law Society says they are widely used in…

Lawyers warned to take extreme care to prevent email fraud

Sophisticated attempts to defraud New Zealand lawyers are now common and the New Zealand Law Society is warning all lawyers to be very careful when receiving any emailed instructions or directions. A number of New Zealand firms have been victims of "spoofing" emails where a member of the firm appears to…

Research on young lawyer experiences shows opportunities for change

A ground-breaking report on the experiences of new New Zealand lawyers shows some areas which the profession must consider and then act upon, the New Zealand Law Society says. The report summarises research carried out by law graduate Josh Pemberton which included 40 hour-long interviews and a survey of over 800 junior lawyers. A copy…
Plea arrangements and discussions in Moko case follow robust prosecution guidelines

Plea arrangements and discussions in Moko case follow robust prosecution guidelines

The guidelines that instruct Crown Prosecutors who are considering so-called "plea bargains" are robust and well-considered, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Solicitor-General's Prosecution Guidelines 2013 were relied upon by Crown prosecutors in the case against Tania Shailer and David William Haerewa, who were today sentenced to 17 years for manslaughter following the death of…

NZLS awaits FATCA advice from banks and IRD

The New Zealand Law Society says it is awaiting responses from the New Zealand Bankers' Association and Inland Revenue as to how FATCA requirements will affect moneys held in lawyers' trusts accounts. The Law Society has been working with the Bankers' Association and IRD to clarify the situation with the US…

Namlee Kim censured

Former Auckland lawyer Namlee Kim has been censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal after admitting a charge of negligence or incompetence reflecting on his fitness to practise or as to bring his profession into disrepute. Acting for a client in respect of an application for a visitor's visa and/or an application…

Timaru lawyer Kenneth Selwyn Grave censured

Timaru barrister and solicitor Kenneth Selwyn Grave has been censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Grave admitted a charge of negligence in his professional capacity, that negligence being of such as degree as to bring his profession into disrepute. His negligence arose when he acted for the son of a…

Law Society welcomes latest QC appointments

The New Zealand Law Society says four new female Queen's Counsel is encouraging for all women that tirelessly practise law. Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC has announced the appointment of 12 Queen's Counsel. Of the 12 appointees, seven are based in Auckland, four in Wellington and one in Christchurch. Four women have been appointed Queen's Counsel in a single…

Bharat Parshotam suspended for nine months

Auckland lawyer Bharat Parshotam has been suspended from practising for nine months from 1 June 2016 after admitting two charges before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Parshotam admitted charges of negligence or incompetence of such a degree as to reflect on his fitness to practise or as to bring his profession…

Lawyer practising certificate renewal underway

The annual renewal of practising certificates by New Zealand's lawyers is well underway, with about half of the legal profession having already completed their declaration of fitness to practise. Lawyers' practising certificates are issued by the New Zealand Law Society annually for the year to 30 June. All lawyers who want…
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