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Law Society statements

NZ Law Society to commission comprehensive review

NZ Law Society to commission comprehensive review

The New Zealand Law (NZLS) is to commission an independent review of its structure and function, the Society’s President Tiana Epati has announced. Ms Epati says the decision to commission the review had been made by its Board, and endorsed by its Council, at meetings last week and it will consider…

Greater clarity in new arms legislation sought by Law Society

How amendments to the Arms Act intersect with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act needs to be carefully considered, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society has made a submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the second tranche of amendments to the Arms Act 1983. It…

Queenstown lawyer fined $15,000 and censured after criminal convictions

A Queenstown lawyer has been fined $15,000 and censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal, after receiving two criminal convictions. Adam McAra Copland was convicted in July 2018 for driving with excess breath alcohol and disqualified from driving for six months as part of his sentence. However, in…

Law Society welcomes methamphetamine guideline decision

The New Zealand Law Society has welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision in Zhang v R [2019] NZCA 507, updating sentencing guidelines in methamphetamine cases. The Law Society was one of the organisations which the Court of Appeal invited to intervene. James Rapley QC and Esther Watt appeared on behalf of both…

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NZ Law Society recommends changes to Abortion Legislation Bill

The New Zealand Law Society has recommended that the select committee reviewing the Abortion Legislation Bill consider changes. These would ensure that provisions relating to ’safe areas‘ are workable and protections regarding conscientious objection rights are consistent with both the Human Rights Act and the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. The…

Murray Bryce Lawes suspended from legal practice

Orewa lawyer Murray Bryce Lawes has been suspended by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal from practising for three months from 8 October 2019. In a decision on liability on 19 July 2019 the Tribunal had found him guilty of two charges of misconduct. The first related to management…

Law Society supports ‘Lawyers for Lawyers’ position on threatened criminal justice lawyers

The New Zealand Law Society is supporting the organisation ‘Lawyers for Lawyers’ which stands up for lawyers who are threatened or are hindered in their criminal justice work. The issue is rapidly becoming a global problem, and the Law Society has recently supported two statements condemning violence against lawyers. ‘Lawyers for Lawyers’…

Appeal by Auckland lawyer against suspensions and costs dismissed

An appeal by an Auckland lawyer against a decision of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal which imposed a 15 month suspension from practising law and costs has been dismissed by the High Court. Jinyue (Paul) Young was last year found guilty of four charges by the Disciplinary Tribunal at different…
150 years on

150 years on

Tiana EpatiOn 3 September, the Law Society will arrive at exactly 150 years since it was first organised under the New Zealand Law Society’s Act 1869. I could go on about the detailed history, and what happened in 1897. I could talk about the fact that in that year, not…

Nola Kay Dangen suspended for two months

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended Auckland lawyer Nola Kay Dangen from practice for two months from 23 September 2019. This follows admission by Ms Dangen of a charge of negligence in relation to her conduct as a property manager and welfare guardian for an elderly woman.…

Order not to employ Sarah Buschman

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has made an order that no legal practitioner or incorporated firm employ Sarah Buschman in connection with the practitioner's or incorporated firm's practice. The order is made pursuant to section 242(1)(h)(ii) of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, for so long as the…

Practice Briefing outlines confidential electoral roll process

With the 2019 local authority elections approaching, the New Zealand Law Society has updated its Practice Briefing on the confidential unpublished electoral roll. Section 82 of the Electoral Act 1993 requires anyone who is qualified to be registered as an elector to register. Details of electors are compiled to create rolls…

Arlan Arman suspended from practice

Auckland lawyer Arlan Arman has been suspended from legal practice for 10 months from 11 June 2019 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Arman had pleaded guilty to one charge of misconduct. The Tribunal has also ordered that he not practise on his own account until it…

Chief Judge Jan-Marie Doogue's leadership recognised

The appointment of Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue to the High Court bench will mark the end of eight years of strong and committed leadership of New Zealand's largest court, the New Zealand Law Society says. "Her appointment is a fitting recognition of her judicial strengths. It is important to…
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