Brian Ellis suspended from practice

Auckland lawyer Brian Ellis has been suspended from practice by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Ellis' suspension runs from 26 June 2018 for a period of 6 months and 12 days. The Tribunal has also censured him and ordered him to pay costs to the New Zealand…

Legal Executive Diploma graduates recognised

Graduation ceremonies have been held at New Zealand Law Society branches around the country for 122 students who graduated with the Legal Executive Diploma. Examinations were conducted by the New Zealand Law Society for the Diploma in late October 2017 at 20 venues in New Zealand and seven overseas. A total of…

Law Society in close contact with DIA over AML/CFT issues

The New Zealand Law Society is ensuring the Department of Internal Affairs is kept informed of the concerns of lawyers over the compliance requirements for AML/CFT, acting Executive Director Mary Ollivier says. “We appreciate that some of the AML/CFT legislation is unclear and as noted in LawPoints last week, we suggest…

Safe and Effective Justice Programme Advisory Group welcomed

New Zealand’s lawyers welcome the appointment of the Safe and Effective Justice Programme Advisory Group - Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora and the opportunities it presents for a thorough examination of the criminal justice system, the New Zealand Law Society says. “Agreement on the principles underpinning the criminal justice system…

Rule of law threatened in Nauru

Legislation recently passed in Nauru shows the country is sliding towards authoritarianism, with the rule of law threatened, the New Zealand Law Society says. “The recently enacted Administration of Justice Act 2018 is another clear sign of the deterioration of civil rights in Nauru,” says the Law Society’s Rule of Law…

Law Society recommends file notes for AML decisions

The New Zealand Law Society says it has become aware of a number of issues and concerns among lawyers since the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Funding of Terrorism Act 2009 regime became live for lawyers on 1 July 2018. It says one example is some issues in relation to wire transfers…

Independent inquiry confirms urgency of culture change, says Law Society

The New Zealand Law Society says an independent inquiry into alleged sexual assaults and harassment at law firm Russell McVeagh highlights the urgent need for cultural reform across the legal profession. Dame Margaret Bazley today released her report into allegations of sexual assault and harassment at Russell McVeagh. Law Society President Kathryn…

Working group provides update on its focus

Lawyers are being asked by an independent Working Group to provide ideas on how the complaints regulatory framework could be improved.  The Group has been established by the New Zealand Law Society and is chaired by Dame Silvia Cartwright.   The aim is to ensure the rules and laws are ‘fit for…

Practising certificate renewals required by end of June

With just days to go before the end of the practising year, 93% of New Zealand's lawyers have completed the requirements to renew their practising certificates for the 2018/19 year. Lawyers who wish to practise from 1 July 2018 must renew their practising certificate before midnight on Saturday, 30 June. New Zealand…

New information requirements for law firm clients from 1 July

Clients of law firms will be required to provide certain information on their identity and address after 1 July. In some cases they will also be required to give details of the source of their funds. Anti-money laundering measures for lawyers come into force on 1 July. From then, the Anti-Money Laundering…