Patrick James Kennelly censured and fined

Orewa lawyer Patrick James Kennelly has been censured and fined $20,000 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal after admitting that he breached an undertaking given to the Tribunal and also breached the Trust Account Regulations. Mr Kennelly’s undertaking was that he would commit to moving to approved trust…

APEC 2021 security legislation needs additional safeguards, says Law Society

The New Zealand Law Society says legislation to support safety and security for world leaders and others attending APEC 2021 events needs additional safeguards and public scrutiny of the powers to be given to the armed forces and APEC security staff. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Asia-Pacific…

Daniel Robert Healy censured and fined

Jersey-based lawyer Daniel Robert Healy has been censured and fined $8,000 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Healy, who holds a practising certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society, admitted one charge of being convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment with the conviction tending to…

Day of Endangered lawyer shows value of Rule of Law

The international Day of the Endangered Lawyer is an opportunity to recognise our good fortune to live in a country where the rule of law is respected, New Zealand Law Society Rule of Law Committee convenor Austin Forbes QC says. “Lawyers around the world have marked the Day of the Endangered…

New Zealand Law Society will move into new national office in late 2020

The New Zealand Law Society will move into a new national office it has leased in central Wellington in September 2020. The announcement follows a decision to move out of the previous office in the central business district at 26 Waring Taylor Street in July this year after a Detailed Seismic…

Former lawyer suspended for 15 months

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Tribunal suspended Nigel Mason, a former lawyer, from practice for 15 months commencing on 8 March 2019. Details of the suspension are now available following the lapse of name suppression. Mr Mason pleaded guilty to two charges of misconduct brought by a lawyers standards committee. The…

Anthony George Whitcombe fined and censured

Greymouth lawyer Anthony George Whitcombe has been fined a total of $10,000 and censured after admitting two charges before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The charges arose after Mr Whitcombe agreed to act for both the seller and purchaser of a property who were well known to each…

Supervision and mentoring ordered for barrister

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered that Christchurch barrister Phillip Nigel Allan undergoes a period of six months’ supervision and mentoring. The supervision and mentoring is to be provided by Andrew McKenzie, a Christchurch barrister. Mr Allan is also required to engage another lawyer to complete a…

Extraordinary breach of legal rights in Nauru, Law Society says

The trial of 12 people without legal representation in Nauru’s Supreme Court is an extraordinary breach of individual rights and the rule of law, the New Zealand Law Society’s Rule of Law Committee says. “The criminal charges against what has been known as the Nauru 19 have been a blight on…

Law Society President congratulates new Queen’s Counsel appointees

New Zealand Law Society President Tiana Epati congratulates the eight lawyers who have been appointed Queen’s Counsel today. The Queen’s Counsel were announced by Attorney-General David Parker and were chosen under a process that now includes a new standard of demonstrating a commitment to improving access to justice. “Access to justice is…