New Zealand Law Society congratulates Justice Winkelmann

The New Zealand Law Society has congratulated the Hon Justice Helen Winkelmann on her appointment as Chief Justice of New Zealand and as a Judge of the Supreme Court. “Justice Winkelmann has had an impressive career in legal practice and on the bench,” New Zealand Law Society President Kathryn…

Law Society plans changes to regulatory process for lawyers accused of inappropriate behaviour

The New Zealand Law Society is planning a number of changes to the processes for reporting and taking action on sexual harassment and bullying in the legal profession. These include: New rules for lawyers which specifically require high personal and professional standards with specific reference to sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination and other…

Regulatory working group report to be presented

The New Zealand Law Society’s Board will tomorrow (Friday, 14 December) consider the report of the independent working group which has been investigating whether regulatory change is required to address unacceptable behaviour in the legal profession. The working group chair, Dame Silvia Cartwright, will present the group’s report and recommendations to…

New Queen's Counsel congratulated

The New Zealand Law Society has extended its congratulations to the members of the legal profession who have been appointed Queen’s Counsel. “Appointment as Queen’s Counsel is recognition of excellence at the highest level. It is an honour which is hard to achieve. Since 1907 there have been many thousands of…

Court industrial action a threat to safety

A serious incident at the Christchurch District Court this morning was a direct result of the situation created by the unresolved collective bargaining between the Ministry of Justice and court staff who are members of the PSA, the New Zealand Law Society says. “From being disruptive of court hearings, this situation…

Law Society's Gender Equality Charter hits 100 signatories

The New Zealand Law Society’s Gender Equality Charter has now been adopted by 100 legal workplaces across the country. The charter was launched to the profession by the Law Society in April this year. 100 signatories represents over 2700 lawyers of the about 13300 that hold practising certificates in New Zealand. Law Society…

Changes needed to Family Court, says Law Society

Implementing three key changes would have an immediate positive effect on the Family Court, the New Zealand Law Society says. The Law Society has released a comprehensive submission on the 2014 family justice reforms to the Independent Panel which is examining and evaluating their impact. “The Family Court deals with cases that…

Brian Robert Ellis struck off roll of barristers and solicitors

Auckland lawyer Brian Robert Ellis has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors of the High Court by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. The tribunal had found Mr Ellis guilty of misconduct. In June 2018 in another matter it found he had acted for a client…

Measures to improve LCRO processes welcomed

The New Zealand Law Society has welcomed the third reading of the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill, which is now awaiting Royal assent. The legislation includes provisions which will make the resolution of complaints against lawyers more efficient and timely by giving additional powers to the Legal Complaints Review Officer…

Upgrades to Law Society Library kiosks completed

Our apologies if you were trying to access Steve Dukeson's article from LawPoints or NZLS Weekly. We got the link wrong. We will re-run Steve's article next week, but it can be accessed from here. The New Zealand Law Society has completed upgrades to the legal information access kiosks available around…