Law Society proposes changes to define unacceptable conduct

For the first time ever the New Zealand Law Society is proposing changes which mean that discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and other unacceptable conduct within the legal profession will be clearly defined; there will be a clear threshold for when unacceptable conduct should be reported to the Law Society;…

Sexual Violence Legislation Bill: Law Society concerns

The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa believes the opportunity has been missed to make some much-needed improvements to the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill following the Justice select committee’s recent report back to Parliament. In a letter to Justice Minister Andrew Little, the Law Society laid out its concerns and…

Emergency COVID-19 legislation needs additional safeguards, says Law Society

The COVID-19 Public Health Response Act, recently passed under urgency, enables orders imposing the most profound peacetime restrictions ever made to the rights and personal freedoms of all New Zealanders, and the New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has recommended nine amendments to provide additional safeguards on the exercise…

From the Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture: The art of adaptation

As this issue of LawTalk goes live, the COVID-19 Alert Level is about to go to two. While this is positive news, we are far from a return to normal with many restrictions still in place. This is another test of the flexibility and adaptability the profession has shown since Level…

The courts and the lockdown: Looking for transformational opportunities

Never before have New Zealand’s courts been disrupted to the extent that has occurred as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. Strong relationships and constant communication have been critical to the courts’ response and since 13 March the Chief Justice has been writing to the profession on a weekly…

COVID-19 debt and insolvency legislation needs more work, says Law Society

Legislation being fast-tracked through Parliament to respond to looming debt and insolvency problems needs refinement and to be supported by comprehensive practical guidance, particularly for the small-to-medium businesses that make up the bulk of New Zealand’s business activity, the New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has told the Epidemic Response…

A message from the Secretary for Justice, Andrew Kibblewhite

Andrew Kibblewhite Kia ora tatou, I hope you and the ones who matter most to you are safe and well in these uncertain times. As I write this, the Prime Minister has just announced that Alert Level 4 will continue until midnight on Monday 27 April, with Alert Level 3 running for at…

Recent New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa Initiatives

Initiatives and statements by the New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa in recent months include the following: Proposed barrister AML/CFT reporting requirements opposedRequiring AML/CFT reporting by barristers would impose an unnecessary and duplicative compliance burden that is disproportionate to any risk, the New Zealand Law Society |…

Serious concerns raised about constitutional law changes in Samoa

Senior judges and lawyers in Samoa are concerned that significant constitutional reforms are being progressed rapidly during the current COVID-19 pandemic and without the necessary consultation. The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa shares these concerns. The Government of Samoa is advancing a suite of measures –…

New Zealand Law Society offers assistance to Epidemic Response Committee

Responding to the COVID-19 crisis requires a commitment to the fundamental values that underpin New Zealand's legal system, New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa President Tiana Epati says. Ms Epati has written to the Chair of the Epidemic Response Select Committee, Simon Bridges, offering the Law Society's assistance…