Signing off for summer

Law Society Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch details some of the key events and work programmes that the Law Society has championed on behalf of the profession. These include consumer education, advocacy and law reform, and the recent panel discussion on the Treaty Principles – also a feature story in this…

Snapshot of the Profession 2024

This annual snapshot of the legal profession in Aotearoa New Zealand provides valuable insights and trends into the legal profession based on practising certificate holders in New Zealand. Our snapshot charts shifts and trends across ethnicity, as well as linguistic and gender diversity of the profession. We cover both the…

Leading the way: Six leaders across the profession share their insights on personal and professional wellbeing

LawTalk catches up with six leaders in their field; a lawyer and wellbeing author, heads of professional membership organisations and the head of a large firm to hear how they manage their personal wellbeing and how this influences their actions and others.  

The Principles of The Treaty | te Tiriti - kōrero with the experts

Following the sold-out panel discussion in Wellington,  LawTalk speaks with two of the panelists and co-authors of the award-winning book on treaty law. With an introduction by Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa Co-Tumuaki, Tai Ahu, co-authors Dr Carwyn Jones and Dr Damen Ward provide their insights on the current…

Reflecting on 50 years of the Duty Lawyer Scheme

It is five decades since a passionate entomologist and trade unionist got together in Nelson to help young Māori navigate the legal system and get more equitable outcomes. Now a robust national scheme, LawTalk speaks with Dr Oliver Sutherland ONZM (who was there at the beginning!) and others on the…

Family Law Section: Bringing Aotearoa's family lawyers together

LawTalk shines a light on the sections of the Law Society and in this issue details how the Family Law Section brings family lawyers together through a shared special interest and talks of the growing importance of family law in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Less time on client disputes and more time for the mahi

The Law Society shares the work that has been going on behind the scenes to provide consumers of legal services with resources around how to work with lawyers. These resources are designed to better support the working relationship between lawyers and clients to facilitate conversations and resolve disputes effectively.

Annual Hui-ā-Tau 

Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa, (Māori Law Society) share pictures, words and the purpose behind their annual Hui-ā-Tau which was held in Whakatāne in September. 

The Growing Legacy of New Zealand Law Society v Stanley

It is nearly four years since the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in this case which provides guidance about the fit and proper person standard in the context of admission to the legal profession. Barrister Paul Collins was counsel acting for the Law Society in this case. He reflects on…

Law reform and advocacy update

Read about the Law Society’s law reform and advocacy work over the past quarter, including submissions on Bills before Parliament and a wide range of consultations with government departments. Other work shared in this issue of LawTalk includes workshops with the Legal Services Commissioner and legal aid providers, and ongoing…