Employment and recruitment in the legal profession

There are some positive signs of increasing business confidence in law firms according to legal recruitment companies throughout the country. It seems medium-sized firms in particular are looking to expand as the economy strengthens. “Generally, we are seeing small signs the market is improving. Firms are recruiting, but at lower levels, and…

From the Law Society

As I move into the role of New Zealand Law Society President I am keenly aware of the quality of presidents that have gone before me. I am conscious that I step into this privileged position at a time when significant changes in the social, political and economic environment are…

Letting go for gifted kids

Auckland lawyer Len Ward is to face his fear of heights and jump off the Auckland Sky Tower in an awareness and fundraising campaign for Gifted Kids. Challenge Vertigo: Len’s Launch for Extraordinary Minds, detailed that if Len was to reach $10,000 by the end of March, he would jump 192…

How to increase mental wellbeing

In the previous article on workplace wellbeing I outlined the importance of mental health in the workplace. This is not just in terms of common disorders related to depression, anxiety and substance misuse, but also persistent problems such as chronic stress, lack of sleep, negative or unrealistic thinking habits and…

Moving towards CPD

The Law Society is working on an initiative to require all New Zealand lawyers to complete a required level of continuing professional development (CPD) each year. This is likely to take effect from 1 April 2014, with lawyers able to participate from 1 October 2013. This series will provide key…

Raising awareness of electronic discovery

New Zealand’s inaugural eDiscovery Conference attracted over 100 participants from across New Zealand’s legal fraternity, including senior lawyers, barristers, in-house legal counsel as well as electronic discovery service providers. The event, held in Auckland on 13 February, was organised by Ernst & Young and E-Discovery Consulting. The opening address by Judge David…

Advanced litigation course 'outstanding'

NZLS CLE Ltd’s advanced litigation skills course is “outstanding”, lawyers who have completed the course told LawTalk. It is “the best CLE course I have ever completed,” one participant said. Aimed at litigators with at least six to 10 years’ civil or criminal law experience, the course helps participants to take…

Does your firm have a prosperity plan?

Is an annual financial plan enough to shape law firm prosperity?Another year is already rolling by. Time to get those tax returns in again. Time for another round of guesswork budgeting, wondering “Can the hourly rates can be raised this year?”, “Will we meet our targets?”, “What should we do…

Financial Assurance Scheme - new risk management framework

Financial Assurance SchemeAs previously discussed in LawTalk 814, Obligation to Maintain a Trust Account, ss110-112 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (LCA), require every lawyer, who in the course of his or her practice receives money for, or on behalf of, any person, to ensure that the money is…

What underwriters look for

What do underwriters really look for when underwriting professional indemnity for solicitors? I have just spent a week meeting underwriters in the London insurance market and it is very apparent that they face the same challenges that underwriters in New Zealand face when underwriting professional indemnity for solicitors. There are more…

Many expert witness problems are solvable

Many of the problems lawyers experience with expert witnesses could be solved by making some reasonably straightforward changes to practice, a new study suggests. The study, Expert Witnesses Under Examination in the New Zealand Criminal and Family Courts, was recently published on the New Zealand Law Foundation website. Lawyer Dr Emily Henderson…

Foundation backs Constitutional Review projects

The Law Foundation is supporting two projects that will help stimulate debate and tease out issues relevant to the Government’s current review of New Zealand’s Constitution. The first project is a series of five public debates on Radio New Zealand National tackling questions raised by the Constitutional Review. The debates, organised…

Raising the bar

If lawyers do not use spreadsheets where appropriate, clients will notice the lack of professionalism and resent the subsequent costs incurred. It is time for lawyers to raise their game with consequential benefits for all. The ability to use spreadsheets is now an entry level requirement in most professions and there…

Lawyers Complaints Service: Fined for breach of undertaking

A lawyer, W, has been fined $1,000 by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal for breaching an undertaking. The tribunal imposed the fine in [2013] NZLCDT 10 after the matter was remitted back by the Court of Appeal. On 10 August 2010, the tribunal dismissed two charges that W faced. The lawyers…

Lawyers Complaints Service: Not to be employed

Sheryl Tier is not to be employed by any practitioner or incorporated law firm in connection with their practice, the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal ordered on 28 February. This order is to remain in force until lifted by the tribunal. Ms Tier was found guilty, in [2013] NZLCDT…

Lawyers Complaints Service: Refund of fees and apology ordered

A lawyers standards committee has reprimanded a lawyer, A, for unsatisfactory conduct and ordered him to apologise and refund his client $3,042.65. An employee of A’s firm, B, was contacted by a client, C, seeking assistance with the estate of his former wife and letters of administration. C was pursuing the matter…

Lawyers Complaints Service: Legally aided client privately invoiced

A lawyers standards committee found a lawyer, J, guilty of unsatisfactory conduct after he privately invoiced a legally aided client. The Ministry of Justice carried out an audit which found that J had submitted a final invoice to the ministry and then invoiced a legally aided client $993.60 without advising the…

People

Professor Ron Paterson will become an Ombudsman when one of the incumbents, David McGee QC retires from the role on 31 May. Professor Paterson is at present Professor of Health Law and Policy at Auckland University and chair of the Banking Ombudsman scheme. He was Health and Disability Commissioner from…