Law Society submits on family violence review

The New Zealand Law Society has welcomed the government's review of family violence legislation and supports initiatives to address domestic violence, but believes the scope of the discussion should be broader to include analysis of all relevant laws. In its submission on the Family Violence Review discussion document, released in August by Justice Minister…

David John Graeme Cox censured

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has censured Auckland barrister and solicitor David John Graeme Cox after finding him guilty of one charge of unsatisfactory conduct. The Tribunal dismissed an alternative charge of negligence or incompetence and a further alternative charge of misconduct. As well as the censure, the Tribunal ordered Mr Cox…

Law Society identifies problems with "bright-line test"

The New Zealand Law Society is concerned that the proposed two-year "bright-line test" for sales of residential property will unfairly catch ordinary taxpayers who need to sell property within two years of purchase because of changes in their personal circumstances. While the proposed Taxation (Bright-line Test for Residential Land) Bill is intended to target speculators who are…

John Revans Eichelbaum censured

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has censured Auckland barrister John Revans Eichelbaum after finding him guilty of two charges of misconduct and one charge of unsatisfactory conduct. The Tribunal dismissed two other charges and amalgamated two charges into one charge. As well as the censure, the Tribunal ordered Mr Eichelbaum to pay the…

NZLS reminder on expiry of qualifications

The New Zealand Law Society is reminding lawyers that courses required for lawyers who want to practise on on their own account and to act as trust account supervisors expire three years after attendance. The Law Society says lawyers are reminded of the following: Flying Start/Stepping Up All those who completed these training…

Criticism of Judge unfair

Criticism of sentencing decisions by judges is easy and usually ignores the wide range of information and factors which the judges have before them and must take into account, New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore says. "Because our judges must remain impartial and be seen to be so, they are unable to defend themselves…

"Minor defendant" concept not supported by NZLS

Introduction of the concept of a "minor defendant" is misconceived and should not be adopted, the New Zealand Law Society says, pointing to further delay, cost, complexity and uncertainty if it were introduced. The Law Society has provided comments to the Ministry of Justice on the provision of relief for minor…

Law Society releases letter on H&S amendments

The New Zealand Law Society has released a letter it sent to the Minster of Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon Michael Woodhouse, about amendments to the Health and Safety Reform Bill. The letter, sent to Mr Woodhouse on 21 August, outlined the Law Society's concerns about insertion of Schedule 2A by the select committee in…

Briton Trevor Salter censured

Auckland lawyer Briton Salter has admitted two misconduct charges before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. He has been censured, fined $5,000 and ordered to pay the New Zealand Law Society $9,853 in legal costs and to reimburse hearing costs of $3,259. The first charge was for using the trust account of another law…

Late addition of national security provisions concerns Law Society

The New Zealand Law Society has expressed its significant concerns at the last-minute addition to the Health and Safety Reform Bill of provisions for a closed material procedure for court proceedings where national security is involved. The Law Society has written to the Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety, saying the provisions should not have been…