Maritime terrorism legislation should allow for legitimate peaceful protest

The New Zealand Law Society says legislation to address maritime terrorism risks should ensure that peaceful protest is not inadvertently classified as terrorism. The Law Society has presented its submission on the Maritime Crimes Amendment Bill to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee. The bill implements obligations under two maritime counter-terrorism treaties to ensure that…

Law Society makes free gender diversity guide available

The New Zealand Law Society and its legal education provider NZLS CLE Ltd have published a booklet which provides four approaches to working towards gender diversity in law firms. The booklet, Working Towards Gender Diversity in NZ Law Firms: Four practical approaches to achieving change, may be freely downloaded. It contains…

Disciplinary charges stayed against lawyer affected by dementia

An Auckland lawyer who was suspended because he was facing serious allegations of gross overcharging has been found to have been suffering from dementia. The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal made an interim suspension order on 16 November last year against Robert John Moody. Mr Moody was charged with 'serious failures' in his charging practices…

Lawyer contributory mortgage exemption ending

The era of separate regulation of lawyers' nominee companies providing mortgage finance draws to a close on 30 September 2016 when the exemption of lawyers and law firms who act as contributory mortgage brokers from compliance with the Securities Act (Contributory Mortgage) Regulations 1988 ceases. From 1 October 2016, lawyers who…

Interim suspension of Richard Henry Hill

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended Richard Henry Hill from practising as a barrister and solicitor until disciplinary charges brought against him by a New Zealand Law Society standards committee are decided. Mr Hill was found guilty on 11 July 2016 in the Hastings District Court of a charge of criminal…

NZLS supports deceased organ donor register consideration

The New Zealand Law Society says it supports further consideration of a register of organ donors. In a submission on the Ministry of Health discussion document Increasing Rates of Deceased Organ Donation, the Law Society says while tweaking the driving licence regime is a good option for improving the recording of…

Results of charge-out rate survey released

The New Zealand Law Society has released the results of a survey of charge-out rates for lawyers employed in law firms. A question on charge-out rates ("what is your usual charge-out rate?") was included in the 2016 New Zealand Law Society Hays Legal Salary Survey which is now being analysed by…

Former Dunedin barrister struck off

A former Dunedin barrister who fled to Australia has been struck off by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal over tax evasion offences, totalling more than $180,000. Raeline Marine Kelly did not appear at the criminal trial to face 46 charges despite signalling her intention to do so. She…

NZLS refines client care information

The New Zealand Law Society has reviewed and refined its model client care information.  The information was developed to assist practitioners on implementation of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 which brought in changed requirements for client care information with the Rules of Conduct and Client Care. The Rules took effect…

Review of Clean Slate legislation needed, says NZLS

The New Zealand Law Society agrees that the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 should be amended to apply to people who have been sentenced to a custodial sentence of 12 months or less, after twenty years has passed since the date of last sentencing. Responding to an invitation from Parliament's…