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.

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…

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Limited retainer Practice Briefing

  The New Zealand Law Society has released a Practice Briefing intended to encourage lawyers to consider undertaking limited retainers as a way to reduce legal costs for clients who can't afford full representation. Better enabling of access to justice, particularly for individuals with low incomes and limited or no eligibility for…

Proportion of women partners/directors inches upwards

Women make up 25.6% of partners and directors in New Zealand law firms with more than one lawyer. Information from the New Zealand Law Society shows that there has been slow but steady growth in the number of women partners and directors. A year ago women comprised 24.6% of partners and…

Lawyers mark Day of the Endangered Lawyer

The New Zealand Law Society has expressed its support for lawyers around the world who risk harassment, persecution and injury or death in their work. Friday 22 January is being marked internationally as the Day of the Endangered Lawyer. New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore says New Zealand is highly ranked for its adherence to the…

Rise in self-representation shows need for examination of access to justice

The rise in people who represent themselves in court proceedings is one of several indicators that a wide-ranging examination of the barriers to an accessible justice system is needed, New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore says. Commenting on reports that rising court costs and other factors are causing more people to represent themselves in court,…

Three Auckland partners censured, two suspended

Auckland lawyers Timothy Burcher, David Short and John Macdonald have each been censured for failing to comply with rules governing the operation of a solicitor's nominee company. Mr Burcher was suspended for nine months, from 23 December. Mr Short was suspended for three months, effective from 18 December. Mr Burcher was primarily…

Law Society concerned about alleged threats to Fijian lawyer

The New Zealand Law Society has joined the Fiji Law Society in urging respect for the rule of law following claims by a Fijian lawyer that he has been threatened. Mr Ravindra-Singh has claimed that he and his associates have been threatened and people close to him attacked because he is acting for people who…

Lawyer censured

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has censured a lawyer and ordered permanent name suppression after finding him guilty of unsatisfactory conduct. In addition to the censuring, the Tribunal fined the lawyer $3000 and ordered he pay the New Zealand Law Society costs of $7500 and reimburse hearing costs…

Quentin Duff censured

Wellington barrister Quentin Duff has been censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal after admitting a charge of unsatisfactory conduct. Mr Duff was also ordered to pay the New Zealand Law Society costs of $5,000 and to reimburse hearing costs of $2,011. The charge arose after Mr Duff completed an application for a…

NZLS releases briefings on address of Asian parties and P Lab checks

The New Zealand Law Society has released two new titles in its Practice Briefing series. Correctly addressing parties, counsel and witnesses of Asian descent explains how some Asian (particularly Chinese) names should be presented and used, and recommends that solicitors and counsel clearly ascertain from their clients how they prefer to…
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