The New Zealand Law Society Council has set practising fees, levies and contributions for the 2016-17 year, which remain unchanged, except for a $10 increase in the Legal Complaints Review Officer levy.
Following the Council adopting the resolutions on fees, levies and contributions at its meeting on 15 April, two of the resolutions were forwarded to the Minister of Justice, Amy Adams, for her approval in accordance with the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006. These were that:
- the Practising Fee remain unchanged at $1,192 plus GST; and
- the Lawyers Fidelity Fund Contribution remain unchanged at $320 plus GST.
The Legal Complaints Review Office Levy goes towards the costs of the service. These are met by a levy on the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, according to the number of practitioners regulated. This levy is set by the Ministry of Justice.
Subject to Ministerial approval, the fees, levies and contributions that will come into effect on 1 July 2016 are (GST exclusive):
- Practising Fee: $1,192
- NZ Council of Legal Education Levy:1 $25
- Legal Complaints Review Officer Levy:2 $125
Total fees and levies paid by barristers sole and employed lawyers: $1,342 (last year $1,332)
- Inspectorate fee:3 $385
- Lawyers Fidelity Fund Contribution: $320
Total payable by barristers and solicitors practising on own account: $2,047 (last year $2,037)
The fees, levies and contributions are payable by 1 July 2016.
Where a lawyers does not hold a practising certificate for the whole of the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017, the practising fee and any applicable contribution, levies and inspectorate fee will be calculated on a daily pro-rated basis.
Where a lawyer who did not hold a practising certificate on 30 June 2016 applies for a practising certificate, the practising fee and any applicable contribution, levies or inspectorate fee is payable immediately.
- Paid to the Council of Legal Education in terms of its requirements.
- Paid to the Ministry of Justice.
- Payable by every lawyer who is in practice on his or her own account or as a voting shareholder in an incorporated law firm.