Interim suspension for Robert John Moody

Auckland barrister Robert John Moody has been suspended from legal practice on an interim basis by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The Tribunal made the interim suspension order on 16 November 2015. Effective immediately, the order suspended Mr Moody until a charge he faces has been heard and…

Law Society questions effectiveness of proposed child sex offender register

The New Zealand Law Society says the proposed child sex offender register is unlikely to be effective in protecting children from the risk of sexual offending. "The proposed register needs to be re-designed so that it's targeted at child sex offenders who are likely to reoffend," Law Society law reform committee member Tim Stephens says. The…

Papali’i Toti Lagolago censured

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has censured Porirua lawyer Papali'i Toti Lagolago after finding her guilty of negligence and bringing the profession into disrepute. In addition to the censure, she was ordered to pay the New Zealand Law Society costs of $12,000, to reimburse hearing costs of $16,514…

Just under half of complaints made by clients

Just under half the complaints made to the Lawyers Complaints Service in 2014/15 were made by clients or former clients of the lawyer concerned. Information included in the annual report on the regulatory functions of the New Zealand Law Society for the year to 30 June 2015 shows that trusts and…

Yoon Boo Lee censured

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has censured Auckland lawyer Yoon Boo Lee after finding him guilty of unsatisfactory conduct. In addition to the censure, the Tribunal fined Mr Lee $2000, ordered him to pay the New Zealand Law Society costs of $5535 and to reimburse hearing costs of…

Return Canterbury regional government to full democracy, says Law Society

Continued partial suspension of regional democracy in Canterbury is inconsistent with core constitutional values, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society says extending the term of unelected Commissioners on the Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) for a further three years to 2019 is not justified. And it is significantly concerning that there may still not…

Douglas James Taffs censured

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has censured Westport barrister Douglas James Taffs after finding him guilty of unsatisfactory conduct. In addition to the censuring, the Tribunal made a supervision order against him for a period of 12 months and to reimburse the New Zealand Law Society costs to…

Anthony John Dean Bamford censured

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has censured Nelson barrister and solicitor Anthony John Dean Bamford after finding him guilty of two charges of unsatisfactory conduct. As well as the censure, the Tribunal fined Mr Bamford $5000, ordered him to pay the Law Society costs and to take advice…

Profession needs to be part of access to justice debate

New Zealand's lawyers should care about the fact that there are major issues with people being able to understand, enter and use the justice system within which they play an integral part, New Zealand Law Society President-Elect Kathryn Beck says. Writing the editorial in the latest issue of the Law Society's…