The New Zealand Law Society is recommending to sole practitioners that the start of 2016 is a good time to review their power of attorney arrangements.

Section 44 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 requires sole practitioners to give an alternate and an agent a power of attorney authorising them to conduct the sole practice if the sole practitioner is unable to do so.

"It is an opportune time to make contact with your attorney and alternate and update them on all aspects of your practice," says Law Society General Manager Regulatory Mary Ollivier.

"If you have changed your password during 2015, upgraded your software or made any other significant changes, your attorney needs to be advised of this.

"If you are the attorney for another sole practitioner, be proactive and make contact directly. Such updates may make all the difference in an unexpected situation where an attorney is required to step in to run a practice at short notice."

Further information about the types of matters which sole practitioners and their attorneys should be aware of is available here.