Law Society releases AML/CFT annual reporting guidance

The New Zealand Law Society has issued a new Practice Briefing on the annual reporting requirements for law firms which are reporting entities under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Funding of Terrorism Act 2009. The first annual report by law firms which are reporting entities is due to be submitted to…

Law Society not behind request for multiple email addresses

The New Zealand Law Society says it does not contact law firms or legal workplaces by phone to request email details for people working there. The Law Society has been advised of phone contact with a law firm by someone purporting to be from the Law Society. The caller unsuccessfully requested…

High Court dismisses appeal by lawyer struck off in 2018

The High Court has dismissed an appeal by former Auckland lawyer Brian Robert Ellis. The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal had found Mr Ellis guilty of misconduct and ordered him struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors in November 2018. That came after he had been censured and suspended…

Wellington barrister and solicitor, loses appeal, suspended over historic charges

A Wellington barrister and solicitor has lost his Court of Appeal challenge to a 2017 disciplinary decision and will be suspended from practising law from 1 July. Peter James Morahan challenged a decision by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal to suspend him from practice for four months from…

Law Society urges adoption of all recommendations for changes to family justice system

The New Zealand Law Society would urge the Government to adopt all 70 recommendations for change to the family justice system. The Independent Panel considering the 2014 family justice reforms has released its findings to the Minister of Justice. “We strongly believe that if the government adopts the recommendations as a package,…

Changing the culture of New Zealand's legal profession

Since becoming New Zealand Law Society President two months ago I have spent a lot of time engaging with lawyers about the type of culture we want to have as a profession. This has included speaking on culture at the Culture and System Change Symposium in Wellington, and at a South…

He Waka Roimata report an important step, says Law Society

The report He Waka Roimata from Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group is an important first step forward in the assessment of how our criminal justice system is viewed and impacts on communities, the New Zealand Law Society says. “This report contains some very stark messages and conclusions.…

Racing Reform Bill penalties raise serious concerns

Penalty provisions in the Racing Reform Bill ignore strong objections from the Ministry of Justice and appear to lack justification, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society presented a submission on the bill to the Transport and Infrastructure select committee today. Law Society spokesperson Jason McHerron said the bill contains…

Law Society obtains IRD exemption for barrister escrow arrangements for CRS purposes

The New Zealand Law Society has sought and obtained from Inland Revenue an exemption for barristers' escrow arrangements for Common Reporting Standard (CRS) purposes. The exemption is in the form of an IRD determination, which is available here and which will be published on the IRD website within the next 30…

Grant Donald Shand censured and fined

Auckland lawyer Grant Donald Shand has been censured and fined by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. In January 2019 the Tribunal found Mr Shand guilty of unsatisfactory conduct. This related to his failure to timeously provide all documents, upon request, to the new lawyers for a former client,…