Do you want to work with a dedicated group of lawyers and lay people to make a difference and help uphold standards in your profession?

The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa is seeking expressions of interest for lawyer member positions on General Standards Committee 3. Appointments are likely to be for an initial term of one year.

Lawyers Standards Committees consider conduct complaints and reports about lawyers and law firm employees and direct the associated investigation and independent decision-making for appropriate disciplinary outcomes.

General Standards Committee 3 has a particular focus on complaints about the reasonableness of legal fees.

We are seeking lawyer members with experience in one or more of the following areas: civil litigation, family / estate / trust law, property law, and general practice.

You must have practised as a lawyer for no less than five years, be of good character, and have the skill, experience, and judgement needed to investigate and consider complaints.

The Law Society is committed to diversity and inclusion to ensure that Lawyers Standards Committees represent the multicultural New Zealand that the legal profession serves. We need and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including from lawyers with a second language.

You will work collaboratively with Committee members and be supported by dedicated staff within the Lawyers Complaints Service. Reading of meeting papers and some preparation will be required for each monthly meeting.

Committee members are located around New Zealand and meetings are generally held remotely via Teams. We also try to hold an in-person meeting once a year at one of the Law Society’s main offices in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch.

For more information about being a member of a Lawyers Standards Committee, please see the attached position description, or contact John Christie, Team Leader, at the Lawyers Complaints Service on (09) 304 1006 or john.christie@lawsociety.org.nz.

If you would like to apply to join General Standards Committee 3, please complete the attached expression of interest form and submit this together with a current CV to:

Belinda Stokes
Lawyers Complaints Service
New Zealand Law Society
Email: belinda.stokes@lawsociety.org.nz

Applications must be received by 5:00pm, Friday 10 April 2026.