Law reform submissions
One of the Law Society's most valued roles is to provide an informed, reasoned and representative voice for lawyers and for the public on Bills as they are introduced to Parliament and considered by select committees.
This justification for this role is set out under Section 65 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006:
(e) to assist and promote, for the purpose of upholding the rule of law and facilitating the administration of justice in New Zealand, the reform of the law.
Law Society committees often uncover aspects of the law needing reform. These are brought to the Government's attention and pursued until reform is achieved. The NZLS does not approach this role on the basis of personal views on the desirability of a particular measure, nor does it try to make political or value judgements. The object is to help provide better, more workable, more even-handed legislation.
It also provides comments on Law Commission and government agency discussion papers.
Recent Submissions
- Voluntary Disclosures, 4 February 2019 11 Feb 2019 (245.7 KB)
- Crimes Amendment Bill, SOP – livestock rustling, 19 December 2018 30 Jan 2019 (862.9 KB)
- Criminal Cases Review Commission Bill, 24 January 2019 24 Jan 2019 (404.4 KB)
- Legal Aid, High Cost Cases and Amendments to Grant, 17 January 2019 22 Jan 2019 (262.8 KB)
- Disclosure of Origin, patents regime, 19 December 2018 21 Dec 2018 (463.0 KB)
- Plant Variety Rights Act review, 18 December 2018 20 Dec 2018 (545.6 KB)
- PUB00311: Payment to family members, 14 December 18 18 Dec 2018 (375.8 KB)
- Relationship Property Review: Preferred Approach, 13 December 2018 14 Dec 2018 (634.5 KB)
- Protected Disclosures Act Review – consultation, 11 December 2018 13 Dec 2018 (463.9 KB)
- Leasing: NZ IFRS 16, 29 November 2018 29 Nov 2018 (286.9 KB)
Last updated on the 3rd June 2015