Emergency response terms very broad

The New Zealand Law Society says it has serious reservations about the feasibility of an inquiry into Parliament's legislative response to future national emergencies. The inquiry is being carried out by the Regulations Review Committee. In a submission on the Interim Report from the inquiry, the Law Society says the inquiry's…

NZ Law Society says Chinese human rights set back by lawyer arrests

The recent mass arrests and detention of lawyers and law firm staff in China are a major setback to Chinese human rights, the New Zealand Law Society says. Law Society President Chris Moore says an independent legal profession is one of the cornerstones of any society where the rights of citizens are protected. While many of…

NZLS supports expanded telecoms access dispute resolution

The New Zealand Law Society supports Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment proposals for an expanded scope for dispute resolution around land access for telecommunications. The Law Society has released its comments on proposals outlined in MBIE's Land Access for Telecommunications Discussion Document which was released for public consultation. With the aim…

Doubts over bright-line test efficacy

The New Zealand Law Society has doubts about whether the proposed two-year "bright-line" test for sales of residential property will catch the taxpayers it is intended to target. In comments to the Inland Revenue Department on the Officials' Issues Paper The Bright-line test for sales of residential property, the Law Society says the target appears to…

Support for unconsented emergency building measures

The New Zealand Law Society says it supports unconsented building work by territorial authorities in certain emergency and life-threatening situations, saying that ultimately the risk to life should outweigh the need to obtain building and/or resource consents. The Law Society has released its comments to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and…

Dianne Sara Lester admits conduct charges

Wellington solicitor Dianne Lester has admitted six charges before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The charges comprised one of misconduct, four of unsatisfactory conduct and one of negligence reflecting on fitness to practise or bringing the profession into disrepute. Ms Lester's offending occurred while she was acting for a…

Offshore land purchase tax bill timing potentially disruptive

Contractual arrangements entered into before the parties knew of the proposed new tax statement requirements could be significantly disruptive under the current timing provisions of the Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill, the New Zealand Law Society says. In a submission to the Finance and Expenditure select committee on…

Special advocate possible in some exceptional national security proceedings

The New Zealand Law Society says the protection of national security could sometimes justify the use of a special advocate as a last resort in some cases where national security information is kept from affected parties. The Law Society has released its comments on the Law Commission Issues Paper National Security Information in Proceedings. The Law Commission…

Time to speak out on Nauru situation, says Law Society

The rule of law is seriously under threat in Nauru and the Nauruan government’s recent actions need to be highlighted, the New Zealand Law Society says. “The Law Society considers it is time to speak out because democracy is quickly vanishing in one of New Zealand’s Pacific neighbours,” Law Society Rule…

Kenneth Yee struck off roll

Former Auckland lawyer Kenneth Yee has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The tribunal found that Mr Yee had misused client funds in two ways. As a law firm employee he diverted $95,706 of fees to companies he was…