WiFi now available in NZLS Libraries

WiFi is now available for lawyers using the New Zealand Law Society High Court libraries in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and the Hamilton branch library. The Law Society Libraries are available for use by members and associate members of the New Zealand Law Society, the judiciary, Ministry of Justice Court staff…

Excellent CPD completion rate

Nearly 98% of New Zealand’s practising lawyers have declared that they completed their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements in the year to 31 March 2017. Lawyers who provide regulated services under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 must maintain a CPD Plan and Record (CPDPR) and complete 10 hours of CPD…

NZ Law Society welcomes temporary solution to family legal aid lawyer shortage

The New Zealand Law Society welcomes any solution, even temporary, that will offer relief to a shortage in family legal aid lawyers in Wairarapa. But it stresses asking lawyers in other areas to assist is a short term fix which doesn’t address the fundamental problems causing the shortage of lawyers. The Ministry…

Marc Cropper suspended for three months

Former Auckland lawyer Marc Cropper has been suspended for three months from 24 March 2017 by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Cropper had been convicted of three offences of possession of a class A controlled drug, methamphetamine. He was sentenced to nine months supervision, a $300 fine…

Report recommends replacement of RMA

The Productivity Commission has completed its inquiry into allocation of land use in cities with release of the Better Urban Planning Report which recommends replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). The inquiry which has produced the final 516-page report asked the Commission to identify the most appropriate system for allocating…

Stephen Joseph Woulfe suspended from practice

Former Hokitika lawyer Stephen Joseph Woulfe has been suspended for two months by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Woulfe admitted a charge of negligence or incompetence in his professional capacity to such a degree as to reflect on fitness to practice or as to bring his profession…

Law Society reaches understanding with IRD on FATCA

The New Zealand Law Society says that following discussions with Inland Revenue and the New Zealand Bankers' Association it has now reached an understanding with Inland Revenue about application of FATCA to lawyers' trusts accounts. FATCA is the United States' Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. Its objective is to reduce tax…

120th anniversary of admission of Te Apirana Ngata as a barrister and solicitor

The 120th anniversary of the admission on 26 March 1897 of Te Apirana Turupa Ngata as a barrister and solicitor is something all New Zealanders can celebrate, the New Zealand Law Society and Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (the Māori Law Society) say. He was the first Māori admitted to…

Law Society recommends fundamental rewrite of child protection legislation

The New Zealand Law Society says proposed legislation introducing a child-centred care and protection system needs a complete rewrite if it is to achieve the objective of protecting vulnerable children and young people. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Bill…

Further changes recommended to modernised border legislation

The New Zealand Law Society has urged Parliament to consider its recommended changes to New Zealand’s border legislation to ensure the law remains fit for purpose in future. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Customs and Excise Bill to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee. The bill…