New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa

As voice of the profession, our Law Reform and Advocacy Team and Law Reform Committees are daily advocating and making submissions on behalf of the profession, and for the benefit of the public. This year has been particularly busy, with recommendations made on high profile bills such as the Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill and the Fast-Track Approvals Bill and many more. Read more about recent advocacy and law reform in LawTalk https://lnkd.in/geU8RDzm #nzlawsociety #lawtalk #lawreform #legalprofession

Te Ara Ture connects lawyers who have registered with the programme to deliver expert legal advice pro bono to disadvantaged clients, bridging the gap between those in need and those who are willing to help. “As the name suggests, we aim to bridge the gap in terms of access to justice by enlisting the pro bono support of registered lawyers. Having access to legal advice and representation makes a significant difference to the outcome on a matter. Te Ara Ture also works really well for lawyers wishing to engage in pro bono services in a highly targeted and managed way,” says Director, Sabrina Muck. Find the full article and more information on how to get involved in LawTalk https://lnkd.in/gJ-5PzX7 #accesstojustice #legalhelp #probono #legalservices #LawTalk #nzlawsociety

Law Society President Frazer Barton and Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch have wrapped up a series of meetings with lawyers across the country to share our new membership offer, listen to their concerns and talk about the Law Society’s strategic priorities. Over the course of 26 hui and many conversations, Frazer says that there have been common themes expressed about the challenges that lawyers are dealing with. Frazer and Katie heard from lawyers about legal aid and duty lawyer shortages, a lack of family lawyers and criminal lawyers, problems recruiting lawyers to work in the regions, the increasing costs of practice and burden of AML compliance. “We also talked with lawyers about their stress levels and the challenges in maintaining good mental health and wellbeing”, he said. “We also heard a lot of positive stories, and we are always impressed by the contribution that lawyers are making to our community in Aotearoa. We’re grateful to the more than 1000 lawyers who took the time to meet with us.” Frazer says his goal for the Law Society is to continue being a strong national voice with the ability to represent members when and where it matters the most. “We speak with government, the judiciary, the courts and media often. By being a member of the Law Society, you help to ensure that our collective voice is heard.” Read more about the insights from around the country in this issue of LawTalk https://lnkd.in/gqmbq38r

Starting in 2025, aspiring lawyers at university in New Zealand will study a new compulsory subject - tikanga Māori. This new educational requirement was introduced by the Professional Examinations in Law (Tikanga Māori Requirements) Amendment Regulations.   A recent complaint to the Regulations Review Committee has sparked debate about the place of tikanga as a compulsory educational requirement. Tikanga has always been a topical issue within the profession and the media.   LawTalk takes a moment to have a kōrero with our educators and members of the profession, who share in their own words why the new requirements not only make sense, but also show there is nothing that new about tikanga Māori walking alongside the general law in Aotearoa New Zealand.   Read more in LawTalk https://lnkd.in/gkN7TbzB

Providing legal advice and services to our most vulnerable is what Community Law Centres Aotearoa’s (CLCA) CEO, Sue Moroney, describes as “where the rubber meets the road.” CLCA has a network of 24 centres across the country offering free legal advice, which Sue says is often ‘the only avenue for access to justice’ for the people they see in Community Law Centres. LawTalk profiles the important mahi being done in this space, sharing first-hand accounts from Marree Kereru (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Raukawa) and Aimee Bryant. Read the full article in LawTalk https://lnkd.in/gPnQjKye #nzlawsociety #LawTalk #communitylaw 

NZLSA is proud to publish the results of its second National Education and Wellbeing Survey, with support from The College of Law New Zealand. Last Friday, NZLSA celebrated the launch of the survey report in front of students, academics, and members of the profession. After speaking to over 1,300 law students, we have collated a significant amount of data and insights into what students think about legal education and more. NZLSA hopes that the results of this survey are used by faculties, educators, regulators and the wider profession to understand more about the concerns of students. While the report highlights clear areas to work on, we can see that legal education has a bright future as it grows and adapts. NZLSA will continue to work through the detailed results obtained and continue to advocate on behalf of the 9,774 law students in Aotearoa.

The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has launched a survey to better understand the legal community’s perspectives on the rule of law in Aotearoa New Zealand.   Recent statistics from the World Justice Project show that around 78% of the world’s population live in countries where the rule of law has declined. The responses from this survey will form a part of the Law Society’s work to address challenges to the rule of law, at a time where its strength is being tested across the globe. To add your voice, complete the survey by 5pm, Sunday 30 June https://lnkd.in/gDVDJgAX #nzlawsociety #survey #shareyourviews #ruleoflaw

This week is Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu National Volunteer Week. We are immensely grateful to the hundreds of volunteers nationwide that contribute to the daily operations, governance and kaupapa of the Law Society. In particular, we want to acknowledge: Branch councils and committee members supporting local events, networking and training across the motu. Lawyers on our law reform committees helping to shape the law of New Zealand by making submissions to parliamentary select committees and other statutory bodies, at no cost to the people of New Zealand. Lawyers on our Standards and Practice Approval Committees helping to process complaints against lawyers, decide on disciplinary matters and ensure that professional standards are upheld. The Family, Property and In-house section volunteers for regular collegial and educational events, publications, advice, and advocacy in those areas of law. The National New Lawyers Group for helping those who are new to the profession get the support they need to thrive. Mentors who are giving back to the legal profession by coaching younger lawyers. And everywhere, every day, there are lawyers helping New Zealanders by providing access to legal advice for free. To each one of you, thank you for your service.