Shaping justice in a connected world

Frazer Barton reflects on the value of global collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the legal profession. He provides an update on recent Law Society work including the Bill of Rights Act conference, submission to the Triennial Legal Aid Review and the always popular Litigation Skills programme.

Does international law have teeth?

Can international law genuinely constrain states, shape conduct, and deliver accountability?

Centuries of law - The international law of the sea

Barrister Elana Geddis takes a look at the oldest branch of international law – the ‘law of the sea’ – in the first of three articles examining whether international law has teeth.

The role of international arbitration

Does New Zealand’s experience of international arbitration bear witness to international law having teeth? Anna Kirk looks at the role of international arbitration as a mechanism for resolving cross-border and inter-state disputes.

International trade law

Tracey Epps discusses the significant challenges international trade law faces and whether it does indeed continue to have teeth.

The reach and challenges of the International Criminal Court

“Like a faulty firework that had been expected to spectacularly light up the sky of international justice, the Court has not quite left the ground, let alone ignited. There has, however, been just enough smoke, heat and fizzle to make things interesting”

Democracy and the rule of law - An international perspective

To mark the 35th anniversary of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, LawTalk invited Professor Kate O’Regan from the University of Oxford to reflect on international human rights protections.

Progress towards timely access to justice

Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu discusses recent initiatives in the District Court criminal jurisdiction to improve timely access to justice.

From determination to resolution - The role of ADR in the senior courts

Mark Kelly advocates for changes to be made to the court framework in Aotearoa New Zealand to more actively encourage mediation throughout the course of civil proceedings.

Te Puna Hapori

A new courthouse being built in Whanganui will be part of a wider community wellbeing hub, Te Puna Hapori. an iwi and hapū-led whānau and community wellbeing vision for Whanganui.

From burden to balance - New Zealand’s historic shift to proportionate liability in construction dispute resolution

Major reforms to the Building Act 2004 have resulted in a fundamental shift in how responsibility for building defects will be allocated. Adj Professor Kim Lovegrove discusses the new regime of proportionate liability.

A fresh take on CLE

Michael Fraser, the Law Society’s new General Manager of Continuous Legal Education (CLE), outlines his vision for legal learning – it’s much more than meeting compliance targets.

Regulated services – what they are and why they matter

One of the Law Society’s key responsibilities is ensuring lawyers meet the high standards expected of them when it comes to providing ‘regulated services’. But what exactly are regulated services and why is the definition important?

Why more lawyers should use the Law Society library's research service

While many lawyers have come to rely on the resources and expertise of the Law Society’s Library’s Research Team, others have yet to discover the full extent of what they can do for them. Find out what it can do for you.

Law Reform and Advocacy update

Learn more about the Law Society’s 19 submissions on Bills, and 32 submissions on a range of discussion documents that have been made in the last quarter.

New partnership with Gallagher Insurance delivers value to members and the profession

A new strategic partnership between the Law Society and Gallagher Insurance is already delivering tangible benefits to members and the wider legal profession.

Inaugural New Lawyers’ Conference an overwhelming success

We recently celebrated the future of our profession through the energy and ideas of new lawyers at the inaugural New Lawyers’ Conference held in Ōtautahi Christchurch.