About us

The Public Law Committee was established to advise the Law Society Board and contribute to proposals for legislative, regulatory, or other change in the area of public law. The Committee’s area of work includes:

• The Rule of Law.
• Constitutional law, including key constitutional principles such as representative democracy, judicial independence, and the relationship between branches of government.
• Administrative law, including administrative decision making, regulatory frameworks and systems, and the powers and independence of investigative and oversight bodies.
• The structure, functions, and powers of central and local government bodies.

Our people

Gareth Richards is the committee convenor. He is a barrister at Stout Street Chambers with expertise in public and administrative law as part of a broad commercial litigation practice. Prior to being a barrister, he worked in advisory roles in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and for a senior Cabinet minister, which gave him experience of legislative and government processes.  

The committee is made up of those with an interest and expertise in public law: 

• Nick Crang  
• Susannah Shaw  
• Scott Fletcher  
• Liz Fellows  
• Sarah Jerebine KC 
• Tim Stephens KC  
• Lizzy Wiessing  
• Lucy Kenner  
• Bryce Lyall  
• Natasha Wilson  
• Shannon Johnston  
• Dr Alison Gordon  
• Kirsten Hagan  

For queries relating to this committee, please email our Senior Law Reform & Advocacy Advisor, Nilu Ariyaratne: nilu.ariyaratne@lawsociety.org.nz

For media enquiries, please contact media@lawsociety.org.nz

Terms of reference The Rule of Law