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…

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…

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…

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…

Philosophy and Mental Health: Lessons for Lawyers

Never-ending email threads, end-of-year functions, looming deadlines—these final weeks of the year can test even the most resilient lawyers. So, it was timely this week that Daniel Kalderimis KC and Charlotte Griffin, shared their insights on mental health during Wellington’s lunchtime seminar, Mental Health and Philosophy for Lawyers.

Treaty law principles event a success

Hundreds of lawyers from around the motu attended the Korero with the experts: te Tiriti principles explained, event on Tuesday evening.  Held at Victoria University’s Law School, and online, the event was co-hosted by Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa and the New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa.  The…

Potential changes to complaints processes

The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa is pleased with the Government’s plans to move forward on amendments to allow limited administrative triaging in the lawyers’ complaints process. Such an amendment received significant support when the Law Society consulted the profession on proposed changes aimed at…

Call to the inner bar recognises extraordinary contributions to justice

The Wellington call to the inner bar for six outstanding members of the profession on Wednesday 31 July, was a moving celebration of our newest King’s Counsel and recognition of how much our profession gives back to New Zealand through its commitment to access to justice and improving the laws…

Stellar lineup for Trans-Tasman CLE Human Rights Conference

The CLE Human Rights Law Conference is set to be held in Queenstown on 12-13 August 2024, with special deals for in-person attendance.