Worth Richard: Lawyers and Conveyancers Bill — In Committee 
Worth Richard: Lawyers and Conveyancers Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:629;Page:1516] 
Dr RICHARD WORTH (National) 
: 
 As the previous speaker has commented it is probably Part 4 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Bill that represents the area of significant change and substantive lawmaking. Part 4 is headed “New Zealand Law Society” and two subheadings identify the content of the part: first the heading “Functions” and second the heading “Powers”. Under both those headings regulatory functions representative functions regulatory powers and representative powers are described. 
The part is far-reaching because the structure of the legal profession in New Zealand has the central role occupied by the New Zealand Law Society but nevertheless a pivotal role in substantive terms occupied by a number of district law societies. Based on the make-up in part of the old provincial districts some are strong—and I say that in terms of membership as distinct from commitment—and others are less strong. First if I take as an example the Auckland District Law Society quite clearly the impacts of this bill on that society will be significant—I am not saying that they will be bad but that they will be significant—because the society as presently constituted will dissolve. Second district law societies will lose their statutory power to regulate practising lawyers within their districts and finally district law societies will lose their compulsory membership rights. 
It is a tribute to the executive director of the New Zealand Law Society Mr Alan Ritchie that he has been able without any apparent effort to lead district law societies to an easy recognition of the substantial gains that will accrue to them from surrendering their rights and responsibilities. 
 That said it is thought that the district law societies in some form may continue to exist and I express the hope that district law societies such as the Auckland District Law Society will still have a vital role to play in maintaining cohesion and a sense of professional commitment to the profession. I would say it is vital for the well-being of the profession as a whole that the districts remain active and strong. 
My understanding is that the Auckland District Law Society has approximately 3800 lawyer members. It certainly has substantial assets. When I last looked at the statement of financial position of the Auckland District Law Society its assets exceeded $4 million including a building known as Chancery Chambers in the Auckland central business district; law libraries in the Auckland and Whangarei High Courts and 10 district courts throughout the district; and copyright in a number of Auckland District Law Society forms. There were substantial numbers of staff engaged in a professional standards department; a continuing legal education department; a library that managed not only the physical aspects of library work but also was involved in a major way in the production of databases; a commercial department and associated support and marketing facilities such as a weekly newsletter a website a range of special interest committees; and a variety of other support and collegial activities. So we are talking about—certainly as it touches the Auckland District Law Society—a substantial enterprise in business terms. 
It is also appropriate to record as we look at those aspects of structure an unsuccessful attempt by the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives to gain some form of recognition in this legislation. There is a New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives; it has approximately 665 legal executives ranked in various categories and it is administered by an elected council. It is a well-organised body with a code of ethics procedures for disciplinary matters paid staff and a raft of tasks carried out within law firms throughout New Zealand that certainly enhance the efficiency and administration of the activities of those law firms. The New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives came to the Justice and Electoral Committee seeking recognition.