New Zealand Law Society - Law Society statements

Law Society statements

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…

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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…

In-house Lawyer award winners announced

The four winners of the CLANZ annual awards for in-house lawyers have been announced. The awards are made by CLANZ, the New Zealand Law Society’s section for in-house awards and recognise leadership and excellence in the provision of legal services. The 28th CLANZ Conference Gala Dinner and Awards were held on Friday…

Susan Barbara Lewis suspended from practice for six months

Christchurch lawyer Susan Barbara Lewis has been suspended from practice as both a barrister and a solicitor for six months with effect from 26 May 2015. The suspension has been imposed by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal which found Ms Lewis guilty of unsatisfactory conduct. She has also…

CLANZ 2015 Award nominees announced

In-house lawyers who have been nominated for the 2015 CLANZ Awards have been announced. The annual awards are held by CLANZ, the New Zealand Law Society's Section for in-house lawyers. The award winners will be announced at the CLANZ Annual Conference in Pahia on 22 May 2015. The nominees are (in alphabetical…

New Zealand Law Society & Hays Legal Salary Guide released

The New Zealand Law Society and legal recruitment company Hays Legal have released results of a survey of salaries paid to New Zealand lawyers. The February 2015 survey was completed by nearly 2,000 lawyers employed in law firms and in-house. The results show the average starting salary for new lawyers ranges from…

Offender drug and alcohol testing bill lacks judicial oversight

The lack of judicial involvement in drug and alcohol testing legislation is problematic, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Drug and Alcohol Testing of Community-based Offenders and Bailees Legislation Bill enables the Department of Corrections and the Police to require some community-based offenders and people on bail to undergo drug…

More detail needed to support access to Customs information

The New Zealand Law Society believes more details and analysis of the information held by the New Zealand Customs Service is needed to better assess the potential privacy risks and harm posed by proposals to give direct access to Customs databases to enforcement agencies. The Law Society has released comments it…

NZ-based Nepalese lawyer seeks aid from legal community

Auckland lawyer Tschering Lama is asking New Zealand's legal community for donations to assist Nepal after the massive earthquake which struck the country on 25 April. The New Zealand Law Society has helped Mr Lama with contacting New Zealand lawyers to provide information about the appeals which have been set up…
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