Scene set for representative services
A committee to advise on NZLS representative service delivery has reported progress. In a letter to President John Marshall QC, committee chair Chris Darlow (Auckland) says his team is on target to present a final report by 30 November as scheduled.
Read the full story here for the expected recommendations.
Lawyers and the bank deposits guarantee scheme
On 6 November, a Treasury official advised the Society that the deeds of guarantee had been altered so that bare trusts would have the benefit of the guarantee, with some conditions. Lawyers' trust accounts, the Treasury said, were included, and the cap "applies individually to creditors". The Society is looking closely at the amended deeds to establish that is the effect.
Read the full story here.
Legal Aid Grants Manual rewrite
The Legal Services Agency (LSA) is to rewrite part of its Grants Manual and to consult the Law Society, among others, in the process.
The decision for the redraft arose from a 10 September High Court hearing of an appeal by the LSA against four rulings* of the Legal Aid Review Panel (LARP). LARP had reversed four LSA decisions requiring interim payments of $1,300 to be paid in instalments by each of the four respondents. The appeal was adjourned part-heard while the manual is rewritten.
Read the full story.