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…

Two attempted email frauds target lawyers

The New Zealand Law Society is warning lawyers about two email frauds which are targeting them at present. The Law Society says both frauds use well-established methodology and seek lawyers' assistance in recovering debts. One fraud, purportedly sent by a person called "Meny Kusumo" seeks assistance in a debt collection. The fraudster…

Outstanding CPD declarations may still be made

Lawyers who have not yet declared completion of their required Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the year to 31 March 2015 are still able to do so, the New Zealand Law Society says. At 16 April 2015, 93.5% of New Zealand’s lawyers had completed their online declaration of compliance with the…

Coronial legislation changes welcome and timely

The New Zealand Law Society says changes proposed in the Coroners Amendment Bill are welcome and timely, including changes to suicide reporting and removal of the need to hold an inquest for all deaths in custody. In its submission to Parliament's Justice and Electoral Committee on the bill, the Law Society…