New Zealand Law Society - Law Society statements

Law Society statements

Rushed amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act should raise concerns

A bill making important changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act raises significant concerns and is being rushed through the legislative process without adequate evidence and analysis, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill to Parliament’s Health select…

Expansion of Labour Inspector powers more than a regulatory fix

Proposed changes in the Regulatory Systems (Workforce) Amendment Bill (No 2) which expand the powers of Labour Inspectors could be considered substantive and more than merely a “regulatory fix”, the New Zealand Law Society has said in a submission on the bill. It notes that the bill is an omnibus bill…

Crown pastoral land proposals could lead to duplication

Proposals for changes to the management of Crown pastoral land could result in unecessary and inefficient regulatory duplication, the Law Society has said. Commenting on a Land Information New Zealand discussion document on the proposed changes, the Law Society says it appears a dual regulatory regime is proposed, under the Crown…

Use of DNA in criminal investigations changes needed

The New Zealand Law Society agrees with the Law Commission that a new Act is needed to replace the Criminal Invesigations (Bodily Samples) Act 1995. In a submission on the Commission’s Issues Paper, The Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations, the Law Society says it agrees with the Commission that the…

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Clarity sought for internet site blocking powers

There are possible legal arguments under the Copyright Act 1994 and the courts’ inherent jurisdiction that a New Zealand copyright owner can seek an internet site blocking injunction where an ISP is being put on notice that its services are being used to illegally upload/download or stream copyright infringing content,…

Oranga Tamariki Chief Executive youth advocate appointments approved

The New Zealand Law Society’s Board has approved the Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki/Ministry for Children (or his/her appropriately authorised delegate/nominee) as an approved “body, officer, or person” for direct instruction of barristers for the purposes of rules 14.5.1(h) and 14.6 of the Conduct and Client Care Rules.   The Board granted…

Everyone has the right to a lawyer, says Law Society

Any time that a lawyer is criticised directly or indirectly for defending someone is a regrettable attack on the rule of law, the New Zealand Law Society says. “It is very disappointing to see the re-emergence of public comments which seem to infer that Green MP Golriz Ghahraman should regret having…
Meet Tiana Epati

Meet Tiana Epati

Gisborne Criminal Defence lawyer Tiana Epati is the new New Zealand Law Society President. She is the 31st elected President and the fourth woman to have been elected since the first President in 1897. Meet Tiana Epati and find out more about her vision for the legal community:
Tiana Epati becomes President of the New Zealand Law Society

Tiana Epati becomes President of the New Zealand Law Society

Gisborne criminal defence lawyer Tiana Epati has taken over as President of the New Zealand Law Society. At 43 years old, Tiana Epati is the second-youngest President elected. She is also the fourth woman to have been elected since the first President in 1897. She is a partner with Gisborne law firm…

Law Society submits on Arms amendment bill

Swift action to remedy the immediate obvious defects in the Arms Act 1983 after the Christchurch mosque attacks by the introduction of the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines and Parts) Amendment Bill is appropriate, New Zealand Law Society President-elect Tiana Epati says. However, the Law Society considers that this could have been…

Gang (Richard) Chen struck off roll

Gang (Richard) Chen has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The tribunal found one charge under section 241(d) of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 to be proven, in that Mr Chen had been found guilty of an offence…

Law Society totally opposes new Brunei laws

The Brunei authorities are strongly urged to reconsider their decision to implement a new penal code from Wednesday 3 April, the New Zealand Law Society says. The new code imposes the death penalty for a number of offences, including death by stoning for adultery and gay sex. Public flogging is also…
New Zealand Law Society appoints new Executive Director

New Zealand Law Society appoints new Executive Director

The New Zealand Law Society has appointed Helen Morgan-Banda as its new Executive Director, Law Society President Kathryn Beck announced today. Ms Beck said the appointment followed a rigorous recruitment process undertaken to replace the Law Society’s previous Executive Director, Christine Grice, who was appointed a Justice of the High Court…

Three lawyers suspended from legal practice

Three lawyers have been suspended from legal practice for periods ranging from three months to 12 months. The suspensions follow three separate sets of proceedings. “These suspensions all result from lawyers transgressing the rules which are in place to protect consumers. Very high standards of conduct and practice are set for the…
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