Retention of lawyer financial advice exemption supported

The New Zealand Law Society supports a MBIE proposal to continue to exempt lawyers from the operation of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 in relation to financial advice that they might provide as part of their normal activities. The Law Society has released its submission on the Options Paper Review of…

Lawyers make important community contribution, says NZLS President

The legal profession makes an important contribution in New Zealand's communities and the voluntary sector, says New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore. Writing in the New Zealand Law Society Report to Members, 2014/15, Mr Moore says New Zealand has an outstanding legal profession which is committed to freely and willingly…

NZLS suggests changes to residential law withholding tax bill

The New Zealand Law Society recommends that several changes are made to the provisions for residential land withholding tax in the Taxation (Residential Land Withholding Tax, GST on Online Services, and Student Loans) Bill to ensure there is better clarity. In its submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the…

Bruce Harvey Reid suspended on interim basis

Auckland lawyer Bruce Harvey Reid has been suspended on an interim basis by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The tribunal made the interim suspension order on 5 February 2016 and it is effective immediately. Mr Reid is facing charges relating to allegations that he misappropriated client funds for his…

New criminal legal aid fees a welcome first step

New fees schedules for criminal legal aid announced today are a welcome step in the right direction, New Zealand Law Society Legal Services Committee convenor Liz Bulger says. "However, the changes have been a long time coming and lawyers providing criminal legal aid have been seriously struggling with the overall economic…

Proposed statement of claim changes concern NZLS

The New Zealand Law Society says it is concerned about the potential adverse effects of changes proposed by the Rules Committee for striking out statements of claim before service. The Committee's paper Consultation on Striking out Statements of Claim before Service proposes  a new rule to specify a procedure for a statement…

Some questions raised by employment mediation service proposals

The New Zealand Law Society has recommended that proposed changes to MBIE's employment mediation services  be trialed in one or more regional centres before being rolled out nationally. In comments on MBIE's proposals, the Law Society says prompt, locally provided mediation services are fundamental to resolving employment disputes effectively and efficiently…

Difficulties with Minimum Wage for Contractors Bill

A bill intended to protect contract workers by requiring them to be paid at least the minimum hourly wage may inhibit contracting flexibility and not achieve its purpose, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Minimum Wage (Contractor Remuneration) Amendment Bill requires a principal party who engages a contractor in one of the specified service…

NZLS opposes child sex offender name change bill

The New Zealand Law Society says a bill to prevent child sex offenders from changing their name should not proceed. In a submission on the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration (Preventing Name Change by Child Sex Offenders) Amendment Bill, the Law Society says it agrees with the Attorney-General's comments in…

Law Society suggests alteration of WHOIS system

The Domain Name Commission WHOIS system should be altered to allow suppression of personal information where there is evidence of risk to personal safety, the New Zealand Law Society says. In a submission to the Commission on stage 2 of its review of the WHOIS register, the Law Society says there…