Law Society welcomes new Chief Executive Officer

Today we welcomed our new Chief Executive, Joanna Simon to the Law Society. Joanna joins us from DLA Piper New Zealand, where she was Chief Operating Officer.

Growing concern over personal attacks on lawyers in Samoa

The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa is concerned the Samoan judiciary and Samoan lawyers are facing intensified attacks as the political situation in Samoa remains unresolved. "In Samoa, it is the court’s role to independently interpret and apply the constitution," says Tiana Epati, President of the…

New reporting requirements on lawyers’ behaviour in force from today

New reporting requirements come into force from today for law practices and sole practitioners meaning unacceptable conduct must be reported to the New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa within a specified time period.

Tribunal finds lawyer guilty of misconduct for inappropriate sexual behaviour 

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has found Mr James Desmond Gardner-Hopkins, a former Russell McVeagh Partner, guilty of misconduct on six charges brought by a National Standards Committee on behalf of the Law Society.

Abolition of bank cheques – proposed new conveyancing guidelines

The Property Law Section and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers have reached an agreement on the recommended best practice for settlement undertakings where a vendor client is represented by a conveyancing practitioner and a lawyer represents a purchaser.

Protecting the integrity and independence of Samoa’s judiciary

As Samoa navigates through the political and constitutional challenges following the recent election, the New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa stands in support of the Samoan judiciary and lawyers in drawing attention to the importance of judicial independence as one of the most important elements of…

Consultation open on guidance for new rules governing lawyers’ behaviour

The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa is seeking feedback on draft guidance designed to support the legal profession to comply with new rules governing the behaviour of lawyers.

Taonga to be allowed in Courts

The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui True o Atoearoa is delighted with the announcement that taonga are able to be worn in Court instead of neckties. 

Practising fee to rise by $100 for 2021/22 year

The amount paid by lawyers to practise in New Zealand is increasing by $100 for the 2021/22 year to $1140.

Appeal lodged seeking longer suspension

A Standards Committee has lodged an appeal seeking a longer period of suspension following the decision by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Tribunal to suspend lawyer John Paul Timothy Schlooz for four months. The Standards Committee filed misconduct charges in the Tribunal relating to abusive emails he sent to a litigant…