New Zealand Law Society - Law Society statements

Law Society statements

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…

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…

Complaints against lawyers continue to fall, says NZLS report

Complaints against lawyers continued to reduce, the New Zealand Law Society's annual report on its regulatory activities for the year to 30 June 2016 says. The report was tabled in Parliament on 24 January 2017. It shows that there were 1,363 complaints lodged against lawyers in 2015/16 - falling 11.3% from…

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Introduction of AML/CFT reforms for lawyers too early, says NZLS

Application of Phase 2 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism reforms to lawyers on 1 January 2018 is much too early, the New Zealand Law Society says. In its response on the exposure draft of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, the Law Society…

NZLS support for abolition of double-actionability choice

The New Zealand Law Society supports plans to abolish the double-actionability choice of law rule for tort contained in the Private International Law (Choice of Law in Tort) Bill. In a submission to the Justice and Electoral select committee on the bill, the Law Society says it also supports its replacement…

Some growth in online advertised solicitor jobs

Jobs advertised online for solicitors rose by 2% between the December 2015 and December 2016 quarters, the latest Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Jobs Online report says. The Jobs Online report measures changes in online job advertisements from three internet job boards - SEEK, Trade Me Jobs and the…

24 January is Day of the Endangered Lawyer

New Zealand Law Society President Kathryn Beck has praised the courage of lawyers around the world who risk harassment, imprisonment or even death to stand up for the rights of their clients.Lawyers’ organisations and lawyers internationally are recognising 24 January as the Day of the Endangered Lawyer. “Each year a disturbingly…

Francisc Catalin Deliu suspended from practice for 15 months

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered Auckland barrister Francisc Catalin Deliu to be suspended from practice for a period of 15 months effective from 1 February 2017. The suspension was imposed after the tribunal found Mr Deliu guilty of six charges of professional misconduct, one charge of…

Gary Horne suspended from practice for three months

Christchurch lawyer Gary Horne has been suspended from practice for a period of three months effective from 1 February 2017. Mr Horne admitted one charge of misconduct and two charges of unsatisfactory conduct before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Two of the charges related to his actions when acting…

Sir Bruce Slane a great communicator

The death of Sir Bruce Slane means the legal profession has lost a great communicator and campaigner for individual rights, New Zealand Law Society President Kathryn Beck says. Sir Bruce died on 7 January 2017, aged 85. In a long career of service to the public and the legal profession he…

Christopher Twigley struck off

Former Gisborne and Tauranga lawyer Christopher Twigley has been struck off by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyances Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Twigley admitted six charges of misconduct on the basis he committed reckless contraventions of his obligations under the legislation and rules regulating legal practice. After a disputed facts hearing the Tribunal…

Bank changes to electronic payment processing guidance issued

The New Zealand Law Society's Property Law Section has issued guidance on changes to the way banks process electronic payments. In November 2016 banks implemented two different changes to the way electronic payments are processed, it says. Intraday processing: Banks now have a 1-hour processing timeframe for all electronic payments and direct debits.…

New Zealand Law Society hours over holiday break

National Office(26 Waring Taylor Street, Wellington 6011). The New Zealand Law Society's national office is closed for the holiday break from 3pm Friday, 23 December 2016 until 8:30am, Monday, 9 January 2017. Urgent inquiries during the closure may be to Mary Ollivier, General Manager Regulatory, phone 027 671 9431. Inquiries by…
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