2011 a testing year, says Law Society President
The President of the New Zealand Law Society, Jonathan Temm, says for most people the abiding memory of 2011 will surely be the earthquake devastation.
In an end-of-year message in the Law Society’s magazine LawTalk, Mr Temm says his thoughts at Christmas will be for the many people in the Canterbury region whose lives and livelihoods have been so cruelly shattered.
“I know all lawyers will join me in the wish that Christmas will bring peace, hope and renewed strength to everybody who has been affected and to our Canterbury colleagues in particular,” he says.
Mr Temm says 2011 has been a testing year all round.
“Alarm about the economy has ebbed and flowed with international uncertainty. Changes to legal aid have created real challenges. New Zealanders understand how fiscal constraints are affecting the economy and driving government policy. But they also understand the fundamental requirement of access to justice and the consequences in terms of human suffering, isolation and hopelessness if that requirement is not met.
“Legal aid lawyers, whether civil, family or criminal, sense that those consequences have been overlooked as economic concern dominates the debate.”
There have been warnings of more change and tension will continue to grow.
“It will be hard but I hope we can still do what we can to serve our communities and keep the needs of our clients to the forefront. It seems inevitable, however, that some lawyers will be forced to leave legal aid work behind. That, I fear, is the current sad reality of the new scheme.
“In these circumstances, we need to take care to look out for lawyers who may be taxed by anxiety and stress. A friendly word of concern will always be welcome. And don’t forget the NZLS “Practising Well” services which offer a wide range of support and assistance on a confidential basis.”
Mr Temm concludes by offering his heartfelt thanks to the many hundreds of lawyers who have contributed their time to Law Society affairs, whether in its vital regulatory role or in the “extraordinary work” of the sections, committees and others who have attended to such special and important issues as legal aid, the family law symposium, law reform, the continuing legal education programmes, and much more.
“My Christmas wish for everybody is that there is a special time of joy and peace with family and friends and that 2012 brings new hope and prosperity.”