Trust account supervisors given information on available assistance

New Zealand Law Society Canterbury-Westland branch Manager Malcolm Ellis has contacted Christchurch law firm trust account supervisors to acknowledge the difficulties many of they may be operating under.

“Many of you have relocated your practices and are operating under new and difficult conditions,” Mr Ellis said in an email message. “I thought I would write to you personally to say that if you should have any difficulties in complying with the trust account regulations and guidelines, one of the NZLS Inspectors is only a phone call away and can provide guidance where required. There may be difficulties in locating all required trust account records and if any flexibility is to be exercised you may want to check with an inspector first.”

Mr Ellis says a temporary extension is available for Christchurch firms who are unable to file their monthly certificates for February.

“Please do not hesitate to contact the New Zealand Law Society on 0800 529 000 and we can transfer you to one of our inspectors for advice. Alternatively, you call one of our inspectors direct on their cell phones:

David Littlefair 021 146 6175

Philip Strang 021 209 2223 

© New Zealand Law Society 2008