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Closing Your Practice

Closing Your Practice

Closing a practice involves numerous tasks, including storing records, relocating deeds, dealing with client files (open and stored), withdrawing from trusteeships, and resolving all client balances in the firm’s trust account.
Strengthening Client Relationships: New Lawyers Panel

Strengthening Client Relationships: New Lawyers Panel

Building trust, communicating clearly, and staying human were central themes explored at a recent Law Society event hosted by the Law Society New Lawyers Committee and Anthony Harper.

Budget 2025: focus on court timeliness and the justice sector 

Budget 2025 has delivered two additional permanent High Court judges in addition to additional Community Magistrates and a Chief Community Magistrate, in a new Budget initiative focused on court timeliness.
Considering possible settlement: Asian parties in court

Considering possible settlement: Asian parties in court

On Monday hundreds of lawyers attended an oversubscribed event on the challenges and opportunities for settlement by Asian civil litigants in New Zealand. 

On the move See all

Dentons promotes seven new partners

Dentons has announced the promotion of seven new partners, taking place over the next six months across all Dentons offices in New Zealand. The people being promoted are Sara Cheetham (Major Projects and Construction), Joy Wang (Corporate and Commercial), Oliver Hobbs (Real Estate), Kate Rouch (Litigation and Dispute Resolution), Catherine…

Harmans appoints Melissa Borcoski as Partner

Harmans has announced the appointment of Melissa Borcoski as Partner in its Litigation and Disputes Resolution team.

Buddle Findlay promotes two senior associates

Bankside welcomes senior advocate Brent O’Callahan

Zaneta Easter joins Greenwood Roche

Buddle Findlay appoints Shaun Brookes as Partner

Obituaries See all

The Honourable Nicholas Davidson KC

The Honourable Nicholas Davidson KC

The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa acknowledges with deep respect and gratitude the passing of the Honourable Nicholas Richard William Davidson KC, a distinguished member of the legal profession whose contributions to the law and the Law Society spanned decades. He passed away on 8 March…
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Tribute to Robert Ludbrook, ONZM

Tribute to Robert Ludbrook, ONZM

Robert Ludbrook ONZM passed away in October, after giving a lifetime of service to fighting injustice. He sought to make sure the most vulnerable in our society have access to effective legal services. His achievements were many and hugely significant, stretching over decades – here are a few select highlights.
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Rt Hon Sir Michael Hardie Boys GNZM GCMG QSO KStJ PC

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Dame Alison: a pioneer for women in law

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Dr. David Graham McGee, CNZM, LLD, KC

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Law Society remembers Len Andersen KC

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Advocacy in Action See all

Not Admissible: A Discussion on Lawyers’ Mental Health

Not Admissible: A Discussion on Lawyers’ Mental Health

Law Society Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch was part of a panel discussion about mental health in New Zealand’s legal profession earlier this week. Hosted by Minister for Mental Health Hon Matt Doocey and the Life Squared Trust, in association with the Law Society, Ms Rusbatch was joined by clinical psychologist…

Law Society urges Government action over Minister’s Judiciary comments

The Law Society has urged the Government to make a clear, public statement reminding all Ministers of their obligations and duties in respect of the judiciary, and the consequences that will likely follow if those obligations continue to be breached. Following reports of Hon Shane Jones’ comments about High Court Judge,…

Law Society welcomes Select Committee report on Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill

Amendment to gangs bill raises rule of law and human rights concerns

Law Society submits on the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill

Law Society welcomes Select Committee report on Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill

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Rule of Law a focus at inaugural breakfast

Rule of Law a focus at inaugural breakfast

The Law Society's sold-out Inaugural Annual Breakfast saw lawyers join Law Society President Frazer Barton and Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch to hear an engaging breakfast address from Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann.

Former lawyer fined, censured and ordered not to practise on own account for breaching obligation to the Court

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyances Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found that former Whangarei lawyer Lynette O’Boyle (Ms O’Boyle) engaged in unsatisfactory conduct by filing without notice proceedings in which she was a potential witness. Ms O’Boyle aggravated the conduct by refusing to co-operate with the standards committee. The Tribunal characterised…

Lawyer struck off for misleading client and creating false documents

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has struck off Hamilton lawyer Benjamin Wong for misleading his client over the course of two years about debt recovery proceedings. The conduct included false representations as well as creating and sending false documents. The Tribunal regarded Mr Wong’s conduct as…

Lawyer suspended for failing to comply with a training order made by a standards committee

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyances Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) made a finding of misconduct in relation to Wellington lawyer Janet Mason (Ms Mason). Ms Mason failed to comply with a standards committee order to undertake a training course within the specified timeframe. The Tribunal found Ms Mason had acted…

Applications now open - Paris Bar - Stage International 2025

The Law Society is taking applications for Stage International. Since 1991 the Paris Bar has hosted an eight-week traineeship known as Stage International which attracts young French-speaking foreign lawyers from all over the world.

Supporting International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is on Saturday 8 March, and the Law Society is supporting the Ministry for Women’s efforts to help reduce New Zealand’s gender pay gap.

New process to improve visibility of dependent children in courts

A new operational process will begin on 3 March 2025 to improve information available to the criminal court about the existence of dependent children. The initiative aims to ensure the court is aware when a primary caregiver is facing a potential custodial remand or sentence, allowing for more informed decision-making…

Summer greetings from the Law Society

A message from David Campbell, Vice President AucklandTēnā koutou katoa, As the festive season draws near, I extend my warmest greetings to all members of the New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa and the wider legal community. This time of year, gives us the perfect opportunity…
Holiday message from the Chief Justice

Holiday message from the Chief Justice

Tēnā koutou katoa   The end of the year gives us the opportunity to reflect on events and achievements during the year, and to look forward to the work that awaits us in the New Year.  It also gives me the opportunity to thank all members of the profession for the work…

Lawyers reminded about professional obligations when speaking with the media.  

The Law Society reminds lawyers that they must carefully consider their professional obligations when speaking with the media. This reminder follows two recent decisions from the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) in which lawyers were found to have breached their professional obligations while engaging in media…
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