Prices for legal services rose by 0.5% in the December 2017 quarter and by 4.1% in the year to 31 December 2017, according to Statistics New Zealand's producers price index.
The index measures changes in the prices paid for legal services.
The strong showing for legal services over the 2017 calendar year was driven by a rise of 2.6% in the March 2017 quarter.
Producers Price Index, selected commodities, change over specified period
| Commodity | Dec 2017 quarter | Dec 2016 quarter | Year to 31 Dec 2017 | Year to 31 Dec 2016 |
| Legal services | 0.5% | 1.0% | 4.1% | 1.8% |
| Accounting services | 0.5% | 0.2% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| Veterinary services | 1.0% | 0.6% | 2.3% | 1.3% |
| Civil engineering services | 0.3% | 3.3% | 0.5% | 3.8% |
| Residential building construction | 1.2% | 1.3% | 4.8% | 5.8% |
| Non-residential building construction | 1.3% | 1.4% | 4.5% | 4.3% |
| Rent of commercial land & buildings | 0.0% | 1.0% | 1.5% | 2.8% |