For many years, the New Zealand Law Society Library has quietly been one of the local legal profession’s greatest assets. While many lawyers have come to rely on its resources and expertise, others have yet to discover the full extent of what the Library’s Research Team can do for them. A respondent to a recent survey about the library put it succinctly:

“The library service is the most under-rated service the Law Society provides – bar none.”

Across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, a team of seven specialist legal researchers provide fast, accurate, and cost-effective research services for lawyers nationwide. Whether you are a sole practitioner or a large firm looking for quick answers or in-depth case analysis, the team offers expertise and resources that go well beyond what many firms can maintain themselves.

The Research Team bring years of experience across practice areas, as well as advanced training in legal research and information management. Their work isn’t limited to pulling case law. They can assist with:

• in-depth legal research across all practice areas
• access to authoritative commentary, journals, and overseas resources
• document delivery from the Library’s extensive collections
• citation checking and verification – particularly important in today’s landscape of AI-generated case law.

In fact, the team has seen a growing number of AI-generated cases submitted for citation checking. While artificial intelligence tools can be useful, they can also produce “hallucinated” cases that simply do not exist. The Research Team plays a critical role in fact-checking these references (for a fee). For this reason, they ask that lawyers let them know if AI has been used when submitting requests, so the team can take extra care to verify the information.

If you ask the researchers themselves why the research they do matters, the answer is simple: Their work allows you to focus on clients by delivering research that enhances the standard of your work.

Researcher Josee Klein explains, “Lawyers should use our legal research service because we save them time and help enhance the quality of their work. Our expertise in navigating legal databases and sourcing reliable, up-to-date case law means lawyers can focus on advice and client service – not digging through search results.”

Researcher Alissa Reid adds, “Because we are fast at what we do, it is real value for money. We are skilled at searching and know how to do it efficiently and effectively. Depending on the request, we can often complete research within an hour.”

The team’s cost-effectiveness is particularly appreciated by sole practitioners and small firms, who often cannot justify the expense of multiple database subscriptions or in-house research staff. As another survey respondent put it:

“Their research and document delivery assistance is highly cost-effective especially for sole practitioners.”

Librarians from large law firms also use the Library's specialist expertise for hard-to-find texts and curly issues.

One of the most notable things about the Research Team’s work is the sheer variety of research requests they receive. On any given day, they may be asked to investigate issues spanning criminal, family, employment, company, and public law.

The breadth of their research means that the team is constantly learning, adapting, and finding connections across areas of law. This variety, combined with the intellectual challenge, is part of what keeps them motivated and passionate about their work.

Researcher Katie Wickes highlights the bigger picture, “The knowledge that we are providing excellent legal research, supporting access to justice for lawyers and their clients, makes our job fulfilling and worthwhile. I enjoy working at the forefront of legal jurisprudence, close to the action at the High Court, and having access to developing legal research resources and databases.”

Survey feedback gathered anonymously from lawyers across the motu speaks volumes about the service:

“The range and depth of material is second to none. The library collections are up to date with the major authoritative texts, online databases, case series, legal journals and seminars.”

“Research is fast and cost efficient, researchers engage to ensure they have met the brief.”

“The online request portal is very quick and easy to use, and the staff always turn around requests very quickly. They are also very helpful in offering up other information where relevant.”

For many, the Library is not just a research service, but a place of community and professional support. The physical libraries remain valuable spaces for lawyers preparing for hearings, catching up on research, or simply working in a professional environment close to the courts. People are welcome to use the Libraries and nationwide kiosks to do their own research.

Over the past 20 years, legal research has transformed dramatically. Where researchers once relied heavily on loose-leaf services, fax machines, and physical texts, today’s environment is overwhelmingly digital.

Katie Wickes reflects, “The online legal environment has exploded and so too has our knowledge and skills in these online platforms. Our library has evolved into a virtual as well as physical space, allowing us to provide seamless research support nationwide.”

This adaptability ensures that the Library remains ahead of the curve, delivering authoritative, efficient research in an era where the sheer volume of online information can overwhelm even the most seasoned practitioner. The Library are also regularly adding to their services, a recently-added AI tool is LexisNexis Argument Analyser.

Next time you’re buried in case law or facing an urgent client deadline, remember: the Library is here to help. And as one satisfied lawyer summed it up in the recent survey:

“Their research expertise is second to none. I can’t imagine practising without them.”

How to access the research service

To make a request and for details on services and charging, visit the Library’s dedicated web page at lawsociety.org.nz/professional-practice/law-library.