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What Budget 2026 means for the legal profession

Budget 2026 has allocated additional funding for two new courthouses, as well as time-limited funding to address cost pressures for court and coroner services, and the ongoing demand and cost of administering legal aid.
Inside the Annual Breakfast with the Chief Justice: AI, justice and the future of the profession

Inside the Annual Breakfast with the Chief Justice: AI, justice and the future of the profession

Lawyers from across Wellington gathered this morning for the Law Society’s sold-out second annual breakfast address with Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann, hosted by Law Society President David Campbell and Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch.  

Law Society welcomes successful prosecution for regulatory offending by a non-lawyer

A recent District Court decision convicting a non-lawyer for regulatory offences has reinforced the important consumer protection purposes of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, New Zealand Law Society chief executive Katie Rusbatch says.

Marking International Women’s Day

As the Law Society marks International Women’s Day this year, we reflect on the increasing role of women in the legal profession in Aotearoa New Zealand – and the equity questions that come with that progress. 

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What Budget 2026 means for the legal profession

Budget 2026 has allocated additional funding for two new courthouses, as well as time-limited funding to address cost pressures for court and coroner services, and the ongoing demand and cost of administering legal aid.
Inside the Annual Breakfast with the Chief Justice: AI, justice and the future of the profession

Inside the Annual Breakfast with the Chief Justice: AI, justice and the future of the profession

Lawyers from across Wellington gathered this morning for the Law Society’s sold-out second annual breakfast address with Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann, hosted by Law Society President David Campbell and Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch.  

Marking International Women’s Day

Advocacy update highlights legislative reforms affecting lawyers

Applications now open: Paris Bar - Stage International 2026

Update on the Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund

Law Society statements See all

Law Society welcomes successful prosecution for regulatory offending by a non-lawyer

A recent District Court decision convicting a non-lawyer for regulatory offences has reinforced the important consumer protection purposes of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, New Zealand Law Society chief executive Katie Rusbatch says.

Decision on lawyer’s practising certificate application

James Gardner-Hopkins’ application for a practising certificate has been approved by a New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa Practice Approval Committee (the Committee) following the end of his suspension for misconduct. The application was carefully considered and decided by a majority of the Committee. Mr Gardner-Hopkins is…

Practising certificate application: James Gardner Hopkins

New partnership offers opportunities for Law Society members

Further consultation on potential changes to legal regulation

High Court upholds misconduct finding, but reduces suspension to one month