Expressions of interest sought for arbitrators and mediators

The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa and the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ) are seeking expressions of interest from those who have arbitration or mediation experience, and who wish to be considered for appointment by either organisation. In particular we are looking for…

Costs of practice survey released

A survey looking at the costs of running a legal practice has been sent to all law firms, sole practitioners, and barristers across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Law Society Council gives green light to new membership strategy

Tēnā koutou I wanted to briefly update you on the new strategy for our representative function that will deliver more benefits for members in an enduring way. Last week the Law Society Council has indicated its support of progressing the strategy further. The proposed new representative strategy, which seeks to deliver…

Regional Library Kiosk Services

North Shore District Court in Albany, Auckland, has now re-opened the library kiosk and lawyers’ room in a new space as part of its ongoing remediation works. The new location is gaining favour with local lawyers who find the access more convenient, despite the room being a little smaller. With…

NZ Asian Lawyers – Meeting the Needs of a Culturally and Linguistically SuperDiverse Aotearoa

Aotearoa, New Zealand, is a superdiverse nation with increasing numbers not born here or with their parents not born here. Our Asian population (comprised of first generation migrants and also second or third generation Asians born in NZ) now makes the greatest contribution to our population growth. This correlates closely…

Law Society membership future outlined

The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa would like to update its members on potential plans to introduce a membership subscription for representative services and lay out the timeline for that. The Law Society is proud of the membership services it delivers and the support we provide…

Mental Health Awareness Week – Time to take stock of the mental wellbeing of your organisation

 In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week and the ongoing importance of wellbeing in the profession, LawPoints checks in with executive coach Madeleine Shaw. The Australian-based coach and former lawyer recently presented her webinar, 'Out of the Quicksand, 'in association with the New Zealand Law Society Auckland branch,' which was…

Feedback sought: Access to student loans and allowances for Professional Legal Studies courses

The recent re-classification of training providers by the Government means the Professional Legal Studies course (known as Profs) will need to be developed as a Qualification on the NZ Qualifications and Credits Framework, in order to ensure continued access to student support (loan/allowances) beyond 2024.

Complaints system overhaul supported – further consideration needed

Recommendations that the Law Society’s complaints system be changed with the intent of reducing the amount of time spent on less serious matters have been accepted in principle, with some additional recommendations requiring further consideration. The General Manager of Professional Standards (Regulatory) Gareth Smith explains, “The Law Society has…

Library suggestion not practical

The Law Society’s response to the Independent Review has noted that given the significant cost of running libraries, the suggestion that they become a wholly representative function is unlikely to be a practical option. Law Society Library services are currently funded from practising certificate fees and income generated from…