New Zealand Law Society - Membership FAQs
Time is running out to renew your practising certificate for 2025/26. Your payment and declaration must be made before midnight 30 June 2025.
The Law Society is the only organisation that represents lawyers nationwide with three sections and 13 branches across the motu. More than 10,500 lawyers (60% of the profession) have chosen to be members.
We represent all lawyers on crucial matters of access to justice and rule of law. We are the trusted advocate on issues affecting the profession and we have strong relationships with government. We are a trusted provider of professional development and education.
Being a member of the Law Society is an investment in your professional development, your network and credibility.
Join today to access the following benefits:
Lawyers who hold a current practising certificate can be a full member of the Law Society.
We also offer Associate Membership for people who have close links to the legal profession. Associate Membership does not carry any entitlement to practise.
Key benefits include:
The membership year is from 1 July to 30 June.
Full membership
2024/25: $290 + GST
2025/26: $300 + GST
Membership is complimentary for all lawyers in their first two years of practice. Membership includes membership to one section (Family Law Section, Property Law Section, or ILANZ). Eligibility criteria apply. Additional section membership is $100 plus GST.
Associate membership
2024/25: $106 + GST
2025/26: $150 + GST
You can join at any time. Membership is the same price all year – we do not provide pro-rata rates.
Non-members do not have access to discounted rates for branch and CLE New Zealand Law Society events or the benefits available through the Partner Programme.
Non-members cannot access the technical advice, support and education offered by Sections.
Non-members are not eligible to vote in branch and Section elections.
Services that are funded by your practising certificate (such as libraries, counselling and mentoring) are available to the whole profession.
Non-members can still participate in our branches, but are ineligible for discounted rates for events or the opportunity to vote in branch and Section elections.
If you are an existing member, we will send you a single invoice for your membership subscription and your practising certificate in May.
If you are joining for the first time, complete the application form. We will send you an invoice by email as soon as your membership application is approved.
No. All lawyers pay the same flat fee. We may consider preferential tiered pricing in future years.
The practising fee funds the Law Society’s regulatory activities. Under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, funding received from practising certificate fees can only be spent on regulatory activities.
View a full breakdown of what the fee pays for.
Membership is voluntary but we encourage all lawyers to join. Over 10,500 lawyers (60% of the profession) joined in the 24/25 year.
Please contact us if you would like help to register multiple lawyers from your firm at the same time.
The New Zealand Law Society is the national representative for all lawyers on the crucial matters of access to justice and rule of law. We are the trusted advocate on issues affecting the profession and we have strong relationships with government.
We have 13 branches across the motu, and we are a recognised provider of professional development and education. Being a member of the Law Society is an investment in your professional development, your network, and credibility.
We recognise the value of other groups representing parts of the profession and work closely with many, including the Criminal Bar Association, the NZ Bar Association, Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa, Asian Lawyers, and Pacific Lawyers Association (PLA), to achieve outcomes that benefit the entire profession. We’ll continue to work closely alongside and with them to deliver value to the profession.
Under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, the money that the Law Society receives from practising certificate fees can only be spent on regulatory functions, and not on services for members. Services such as law libraries, Vitae counselling, mentoring and law reform are funded from our regulatory functions.
Other member services (such as branches) were funded from the Law Society’s reserves. This was not sustainable, so we introduced an annual membership fee on 1 July 2024.
1 July 2024.
The Partner Programme gives Law Society members access to a wide range of discounts and savings across banking, business expenses, retail, travel and more. These are accessed through the Law Society Partner Programme app, which is only available to Law Society members.
Got an Apple iPhone or device? Download the Law Society Partner Programme app from the App store.
Using Android? Download the Law Society Partner Programme app from GooglePlay.
Read the full instructions on accessing the app.
Post nominals can be used by members at the end of their name as part of their credentials to identify them as a current Law Society member.
Members use the post nominal MNZLS. Associate Members use Assoc.MNZLS.
We provide these to members after 1 July and once we have received the subscription payment for the new membership year.
Member logos are available to members to promote their annual membership of the Law Society.
We provide these to members after 1 July and once we have received the subscription payment for the new membership year.
Read about member logos, guidance for using them and access your own logo.