Andrew Pine suspended from legal practice

Former Wellington solicitor Andrew Pine has admitted a charge of misconduct and been suspended by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal for four months from 26 June 2015.  Mr Pine self-reported his misconduct to the New Zealand Law Society. This included inserting a false date on a family trust…

Amendment needed to maintain accuracy of NZBN Register

Without a requirement for businesses to maintain the accuracy of their information on the New Zealand Business Number Register, there is a danger that the Register will become out of date, the New Zealand Law Society says. In a submission on the New Zealand Business Number Bill, the Law Society says…

Choosing a Lawyer: Invitation to complete our short survey

The New Zealand Law Society is looking at the ways in which people choose a lawyer to act for them. Visitors to our website are invited to complete a short (5-minute) survey from their own experiences.  The survey looks at what influenced people in choosing a lawyer and the sort of information…

Time-blocking judicial lists supported where appropriate

The New Zealand Law Society says it supports extending time-blocking of Judge and Community Magistrates lists across District Courts, where the particular court considers it appropriate for its size and nature. The Law Society has provided the Ministry of Justice with feedback from criminal practitioners following a ministry request about the…

The rule of law is alive and well in New Zealand

The rule of law remains a fundamental driver of our society 800 years after Magna Carta was signed on 19 June 1215, the New Zealand Law Society says. The convenor of the Law Society’s Rule of Law Committee, Austin Forbes QC, says Magna Carta remains today as a powerful symbol of…

John Marshall QC calmly led profession through change

John Marshall QC calmly and resolutely led New Zealand’s legal profession through significant changes and with his death New Zealand has lost an outstanding lawyer, New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore says. Mr Marshall died in Wellington on 14 June aged 68 after a long illness. Mr Moore says Mr Marshall…

Sir Peter Williams QC, 1934 - 2015

New Zealanders have lost a powerful and courageous advocate with the death of Sir Peter Williams QC, New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore has said. Mr Moore says Sir Peter exemplified many of the qualities which people who needed a lawyer looked for. “He wrote a book called A Passion for…

New name for in-house lawyer organisation

The New Zealand Law Society section representing in-house lawyers has changed its name to In-house Lawyers’ Association of New Zealand (ILANZ). Previously known as Corporate Lawyers Association of New Zealand (CLANZ), the section’s new name recognises a change in the way lawyers working inside private and public sector organisations are referred…

Law Society identifies problem with health and safety regulations

The New Zealand Law Society has identified a potential problem with an aspect of the draft Health and Safety at Work (Infringement Offences and Fees) Regulations 2015. In comments to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on an exposure draft of the regulations, the Law Society says its key concern…

Brett Cooper suspended for 18 months

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended Brett Cooper from legal practice for 18 months effective from 2 March 2015. Mr Cooper – a barrister who was practising in Rotorua – had charges of misconduct and unsatisfactory conduct proven against him at a hearing of the Lawyers and…