The New Zealand Law Society| Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa is committed to playing a leadership role in targeting and eliminating the culture of bullying and sexual harassment which exists in some parts of Aotearoa New Zealand’s legal community.

This work is a high priority for us in our role as the regulator of the legal profession and as one of the leaders in creating a safer, healthier and more inclusive and diverse legal culture.

One of the key initiatives we can take is to strengthen our ability to address unacceptable behaviour by lawyers and employees of law practices.

To do that we are now progressing changes to the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008 (RCCC) and the (Lawyer: Ongoing Legal Education Continuing Professional Development) Rules 2013 (CPD).

The proposed RCCC and CPD changes aim to deliver clear and transparent conduct standards and obligations concerning discrimination, harassment, bullying and other unacceptable conduct by lawyers and employees of law practices.

A formal online consultation process on the proposed changes will take place from 4 June.

Feedback from the profession, key stakeholders, community groups and the wider public will be vital to developing robust and effective Rule changes that support cultural change within the profession.

More information on the consultation process and how to take part will be provided from next week.