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…

Experienced women barristers urged to consider applying for QC rank

The New Zealand Law Society is encouraging suitably experienced women barristers to apply for appointment as Queen’s Counsel. Applications for appointment as a QC opened on 27 February 2017 and must be sent to the Solicitor-General no later than 27 March 2017. The QC Guidelines state that the rank of QC is…

Lawyers can redress gender leadership balance, says NZ Law Society

Women will outnumber men in the legal profession later this year but there is still a noticeable imbalance in women in leadership roles, New Zealand Law Society President Kathryn Beck says. “International Women’s Day today is an excellent time to call on all New Zealand lawyers to stop and ask themselves…

CPD declarations due within a month

The New Zealand Law Society is reminding New Zealand's lawyers that their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) declarations are due not later than 5 working days after Friday, 31 March 2017. The CPD Rules apply to all lawyers, and the CPD year runs from 1 April to 31 March. The Rules require…

NZLS points to further AML/CFT Phase 2 exposure draft concerns

In a supplementary submission to the Ministry of Justice on the AML/CFT Phase 2 exposure draft bill, the New Zealand Law Society says it has identified some further concerns. The Law Society's first submission on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism reforms identified a number of issues, and stated…

Warren Richard McFie struck off roll

Former Auckland lawyer Warren Richard McFie has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr McFie admitted misappropriating $237,014.24 of client funds and consented to being struck off the roll. He also admitted overcharging a client in 23 invoices he…

Christchurch fires place pressure on lawyers

The thoughts of lawyers around New Zealand are with members of the profession in Christchurch who are having to cope with the devastating fires, New Zealand Law Society Executive Director Christine Grice says. Ms Grice says the danger and damage to property, power cuts and the large plumes of smoke are…

Law Society recommends changes to Parliament's rules to achieve better legislation

The New Zealand Law Society recommends that Parliament consider changes to its procedures and rules to ensure better public engagement and to enhance the quality of proposed legislation. The Law Society has presented its submission on the current review of Parliament’s Standing Orders to the Standing Orders select committee. “The Law Society…

Could you be breaking the "laws of love" on Valentine's Day in the office?

For most people Valentine’s Day (14 February) is innocent fun, a day where many couples simply celebrate being together. And it’s not uncommon to find people who work together in a close personal relationship. But in some cases a person’s anonymous admiration for another person at work or in the office on…

Agreement with draft Trust Bill policy objectives

The New Zealand Law Society says it agrees with the policy objectives of the exposure draft of the Trusts Bill, but notes the risk that efforts to restate existing statute and common law in the new Act may result in the legislation being too prescriptive. The policy objectives are to update…