Photo ID cards planned for legal practising certificate holders

The New Zealand Law Society will make an identity card available to holders of a current legal practising certificate from 1 October 2010.

The cards will be issued at AA drivers licensing centres around New Zealand under an agreement between the Society and the AA.

Law Society Executive Director Christine Grice says all practising certificate holders will be able to acquire one of the cards, which are intended to be a reliable and portable form of photo identification.

“The card is a form of evidence that the holder has a current practising certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society,” she says. “We know there is a demand for this from some lawyers, particularly to attend court or to visit clients in prison.”

The arrangement with the AA means that lawyers wanting an ID card can visit any of 93 AA drivers licensing centres in New Zealand. Required identification is a current practising certificate and some government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s licence.

The cards will cost $18.50 (GST included). 

© New Zealand Law Society 2008