One of the Law Society's most valued roles is to provide an informed and reasoned voice for lawyers and for the public on bills referred to select committee and discussion papers from government agencies and other bodies. Read below for our current and recent work.

Our Law Reform Committees are currently considering the following consultations:

Exposure draft of a biometric processing code of practice: consultation paper

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is seeking feedback on an exposure draft of a biometrics code, which outlines how biometrics can be used in New Zealand. The code is intended to apply to all agencies subject to the Privacy Act, that carry out ‘biometric processing’ to recognise or classify people using their ‘biometric information’. The Law Society’s Human Rights & Privacy Committee, and Employment Law Committee, are considering this consultation. To provide feedback, please email Shelly Musgrave.

Monitoring the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in New Zealand: Call for contributions

The OECD Working Group on Bribery  has launched its fourth phase of monitoring the implementation of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in New Zealand. To assist this evaluation process, the OECD is inviting submissions on New Zealand’s efforts to implement the OECD Anti‑Bribery Convention and fight the bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions. The Law Society’s Law Reform Committee, and Public Law Committee, will consider making a submission. To contribute, please email Nilu Ariyaratne.

Consultation on proposed exemptions for advice on UK law aspects of defined benefit pension transfers

The Financial Market Authority is seeking feedback on a discussion document containing proposals for exemptions for UK financial advice firms from certain requirements under Part 6 of the FMCA, so they can provide advice to clients in New Zealand on UK law aspects of defined benefit pension transfers. The Law Society’s Commercial and Business Law Committee will consider making a submission. To contribute comments, please email Shelly Musgrave.

Some of the Law Society’s recent submissions and correspondence on law reform issues are set out below. A full list of submissions and correspondence can be found under the archive section on this page.