Accessible and Affordable Justice programme launched

Secretary for Justice Andrew Kibblewhite has written to the legal profession to outline what will happen as part of the Accessible and Affordable Justice programme. This programme will be led by the Ministry of Justice and responds to the outcome of the 2025 Triennial Review of the Legal Aid scheme. 

Tribunal decision highlights importance of managing conflicts of interest 

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has made penalty orders in respect of a former practitioner, who accepted a charge of negligence, and his son, who accepted a charge of misconduct, for failing to identify and appropriately manage conflicts of interests.

From reflection to action – have you started planning your CPD year?

The start of the new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) year in April, and the beginning of the new practising year in July, bring with them the opportunity to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the coming year’s growth through learning.    A key part of the CPD process is the CPD plan and record (CPDPR). Designed to be a forward-thinking exercise, the preparation of a CPDPR provides a framework for planning the…

Court of Appeal declines Gautam Jindal leave to appeal

The Court of Appeal has declined Gautam Jindal leave to appeal the High Court’s decision upholding the liability and penalty decisions of the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal). The High Court agreed with the Tribunal that Mr Jindal had engaged in professional misconduct and that a six-month suspension was warranted. Mr Jindal unsuccessfully sought leave to appeal that decision from the High Court…

What Budget 2026 means for the legal profession

Budget 2026 has allocated additional funding for two new courthouses, as well as time-limited funding to address cost pressures for court and coroner services, and the ongoing demand and cost of administering legal aid.

Inside the Annual Breakfast with the Chief Justice: AI, justice and the future of the profession

Lawyers from across Wellington gathered this morning for the Law Society’s sold-out second annual breakfast address with Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann, hosted by Law Society President David Campbell and Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch.  

Marking International Women’s Day

As the Law Society marks International Women’s Day this year, we reflect on the increasing role of women in the legal profession in Aotearoa New Zealand – and the equity questions that come with that progress. 

Advocacy update highlights legislative reforms affecting lawyers

This week the Law Society presented its six-monthly update on its work to improve the law, focusing on several significant bills recently enacted or currently before Parliament. In 2025, over 150 submissions were made, and this year has started at a similar pace. In February, the Law Society made a…

Applications now open: Paris Bar - Stage International 2026

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.

Update on the Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund

The Solicitors’ Fidelity Guarantee Fund (SFGF) has now been wound up pursuant to section 367 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (the Act). The SFGF provided for claims of theft by solicitors occurring on or before 31 July 2008. The SFGF was replaced by the Lawyer’s Fidelity Fund on…