Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006

1: Title
This Act is the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006.
2: Commencement
1: This Act comes into force on a date to be appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council; and 1 or more orders may be made appointing different dates for different provisions.
2: An order under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 2(1) brought into force 1 August 2008 clause 2 Lawyers and Conveyancers Act Commencement Order 2008 Section 2(2) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
1: Preliminary provisions
3: Purposes
1: The purposes of this Act are—
a: to maintain public confidence in the provision of legal services and conveyancing services:
b: to protect the consumers of legal services and conveyancing services:
c: to recognise the status of the legal profession and to establish the new profession of conveyancing practitioner.
2: To achieve those purposes, this Act, among other things,—
a: reforms the law relating to lawyers:
b: provides for a more responsive regulatory regime in relation to lawyers and conveyancers:
c: enables conveyancing to be carried out both—
i: by lawyers; and
ii: by conveyancing practitioners:
d: states the fundamental obligations with which, in the public interest, all lawyers and all conveyancing practitioners must comply in providing regulated services:
e: repeals the Law Practitioners Act 1982
4: Fundamental obligations of lawyers
Every lawyer who provides regulated services must, in the course of his or her practice, comply with the following fundamental obligations:
a: the obligation to uphold the rule of law and to facilitate the administration of justice in New Zealand:
b: the obligation to be independent in providing regulated services to his or her clients:
c: the obligation to act in accordance with all fiduciary duties and duties of care owed by lawyers to their clients:
d: the obligation to protect, subject to his or her overriding duties as an officer of the High Court and to his or her duties under any enactment, the interests of his or her clients.
5: Fundamental obligations of conveyancing practitioners
Every conveyancing practitioner who provides regulated services must, in the course of his or her practice, comply with the following fundamental obligations:
a: the obligation to be independent in providing regulated services to his or her clients:
b: the obligation to act in accordance with all fiduciary duties and duties of care owed by conveyancing practitioners to their clients:
c: the obligation to protect, subject to his or her duties under any enactment, the interests of his or her clients.
6: Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— bank Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989 banker barrister sections 49(3)﻿(a) 53 chief executive
a: means the chief executive or principal officer (however described) of that organisation; and
b: includes,—
i: in the case of a department, the head of the department and a chief executive appointed under the Public Service Act 2020
ii: in the case of a Crown entity, the chief executive officer of the Crown entity; and
iii: in the case of the Police of New Zealand, the Commissioner of Police; and
iv: in the case of the New Zealand Defence Force, the Chief of Defence Force; and
v: in the case of an Office of Parliament, the head of the office concerned community law centre section 93 section 94 company Companies Act 1993 complaint section 132 complaints service section 121 conveyancer Conveyancers Society inspectorate section 115 conveyancing
a: means—
i: legal work carried out for the purpose of effecting or documenting any transaction or prospective transaction that does or would create, vary, transfer, or extinguish a legal or equitable estate, interest, or right in any real property; and
ii: legal work carried out for the purpose of effecting or documenting a sale or purchase of a business, whether or not land is involved; and
b: includes legal work carried out for the purpose of effecting or documenting—
i: a lease of land; or
ii: the grant of a mortgage or charge over any interest in land; or
iii: the creation of a trust affecting any real property or any interest in land; and
c: includes any legal services that are incidental to, or ancillary to, any work of a kind described in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b); and
d: includes, in particular, the presenting of any instrument for registration under the Land Transfer Act 2017 Deeds Registration Act 1908
e: does not include the legal work involved in the preparation or drafting of a will; and
f: despite paragraph (d), does not include the work (not being legal work) involved in an agent of a practitioner or incorporated firm presenting an instrument for registration under the Land Transfer Act 2017 Deeds Registration Act 1908 conveyancing practitioner Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund section 310 Conveyancing Practitioners Standards Committee section 127 conveyancing services Council Part 8 Schedule 5 country course of study
a: means,—
i: in relation to lawyers, the course of study for any prescribed examination that is a qualification for admission as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court; and
ii: in relation to conveyancers, the course of study for any examination that is a qualification for registration as a conveyancer; and
b: includes, in relation to any course of study to which paragraph (a)﻿(i) or paragraph (a)﻿(ii) applies, the structure of the course, the prescriptions for each subject, any prerequisites to the course or to any of the subjects of study in the course, and the examinations for the subjects Crown entity section 7(1) Crown organisation department section 2(1) direct supervision
a: in relation to a lawyer who provides regulated services, the meaning given to it by the practice rules of the New Zealand Law Society; and
b: in relation to a conveyancing practitioner who provides regulated services, the meaning given to it by the practice rules of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers director section 126 Disciplinary Tribunal section 226 document
a: any paper, deed, security, or instrument (including a negotiable instrument); and
b: any postal article within the meaning of the Postal Services Act 1998
c: any document delivered or to be delivered to a document exchange box used for the purposes of the practitioner's practice; and
d: any reproduction or copy of a document; and
e: any information recorded or stored by means of any tape-recorder, computer, or other device, and any material subsequently derived from information so recorded or stored employee
a: in relation to the New Zealand Defence Force, a member of the Armed Forces; and
b: in relation to the Police of New Zealand, a constable employer organisation
a: whose members consist of employers; and
b: whose purpose is or includes the promotion of the interests of its members as employers executive director of the New Zealand Law Society fundamental obligations
a: in relation to lawyers, the fundamental obligations set out in section 4
b: in relation to conveyancing practitioners, the fundamental obligations set out in section 5 government-related organisation section 4 health professional organisation
a: whose members consist of health practitioners within the meaning of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003
b: whose purpose is or includes the promotion of—
i: the professional standards of its members; and
ii: the interests of its members in their capacity as health practitioners High Court incorporated conveyancing firm sections 15 16
a: provides to the public services that are, in relation to a conveyancing practitioner, regulated services; and
b: has as its directors no persons other than conveyancing practitioners who are actively involved in the provision by the body corporate of regulated services; and
c: has as its shareholders, in respect of shares that confer voting rights, no persons other than—
i: conveyancing practitioners of the kind described in paragraph (b); or
ii: persons who are administrators of the estates of persons who, at the time of their death, were conveyancing practitioners of the kind described in paragraph (b); and
d: has as its shareholders, in respect of shares that do not confer voting rights, no persons other than—
i: conveyancing practitioners of the kind described in paragraph (b) (any 1 or more or each of whom may, but none of whom is required to, hold those shares as a trustee of a qualifying trust)
ii: persons who are relatives of conveyancing practitioners of the kind described in paragraph (b); or
iii: persons who are administrators of the estates of persons who, at the time of their death, were shareholders of the kind described in subparagraph (i) or subparagraph (ii) incorporated firm incorporated law firm sections 15 16
a: provides to the public services that are, in relation to a lawyer, regulated services; and
b: has as its directors no persons other than lawyers who are actively involved in the provision by the body corporate of regulated services; and
c: has as its shareholders, in respect of shares that confer voting rights, no persons other than—
i: lawyers of the kind described in paragraph (b); or
ii: persons who are administrators of the estates of persons who, at the time of their death, were lawyers of the kind described in paragraph (b); and
d: has as its shareholders, in respect of shares that do not confer voting rights, no persons other than—
i: lawyers of the kind described in paragraph (b) (any 1 or more or each of whom may, but none of whom is required to, hold those shares as a trustee of a qualifying trust)
ii: persons who are relatives of lawyers of the kind described in paragraph (b); or
iii: persons who are administrators of the estates of persons who, at the time of their death, were shareholders of the kind described in subparagraph (i) or subparagraph (ii) investigator section 144 Law Society inspectorate section 115 lawyer Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal section 226 Lawyers' Fidelity Fund section 309 Lawyers Standards Committee section 126 lay member section 228(c) Legal Complaints Review Officer section 190 legal services Legal Services Agency Legal Services Act 2000 legal work
a: the reserved areas of work:
b: advice in relation to any legal or equitable rights or obligations:
c: the preparation or review of any document that—
i: creates, or provides evidence of, legal or equitable rights or obligations; or
ii: creates, varies, transfers, extinguishes, mortgages, or charges any legal or equitable title in any property:
d: mediation, conciliation, or arbitration services:
e: any work that is incidental to any of the work described in paragraphs (a) to (d) Management Committee section 292(1) mental or physical condition Minister misconduct
a: in relation to a lawyer (whether in practice on his or her own account or not), the meaning given to it by section 7
b: in relation to an incorporated law firm, the meaning given to it by section 7
c: in relation to a conveyancing practitioner (whether in practice on his or her own account or not), the meaning given to it by section 8
d: in relation to an incorporated conveyancing firm, the meaning given to it by section 8
e: in relation to a lawyer who is an employee, not only the meaning given to it by section 7 section 9(1)
f: in relation to a conveyancing practitioner who is an employee not only the meaning given to it by section 8 section 9(2)
g: in relation to a person who is not a practitioner but who is an employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, the meaning given to it by section 11 money
a: bank notes and other currency, being any negotiable instruments used or circulated, or intended for use or circulation, as currency; and
b: postal notes and money orders; and
c: promissory notes and bills of exchange,— whether of New Zealand or any other country New Zealand Law Society section 63 New Zealand Society of Conveyancers section 77 nominated trust account section 299 Office of Parliament section 2(1) patent attorney registered patent attorney Part 6 postal operator Postal Services Act 1998 practice rules section 94 practising certificate
a: in relation to a lawyer, a practising certificate issued under section 39(1)
b: in relation to a conveyancing practitioner, a practising certificate issued under section 39(2) practitioner printed form
a: a form that is provided by a duplication or reproduction process, by printing from an electronic file or record, or by any similar process; and
b: a form—
i: which is contained in an electronic file or record; and
ii: which can be filled in, in whole or in part, before being transmitted electronically or being reproduced by printing it from that electronic file or record qualifying trust
a: each beneficiary is a relative of 1 or more of the trustees; and
b: each trustee is (for an incorporated conveyancing firm) a conveyancing practitioner, or (for an incorporated law firm) a lawyer, who is actively involved in the provision by the body corporate of regulated services record
a: any file, register, ledger, book of account, or passbook, and any reproduction or copy of any of them or of any entry in any of them; and
b: any apparatus or equipment in or on which information is recorded, stored, or embodied in any form so as to be capable of being retrieved, reproduced, or processed by any means; and
c: any material by means of which information is supplied to, or derived from, any such apparatus or equipment registered conveyancer section 81(2)﻿(a) Registrar regulated services
a: in relation to a lawyer or an incorporated law firm,—
i: legal services; and
ii: conveyancing services; and
iii: services that a lawyer provides by undertaking the work of a real estate agent; and
b: in relation to a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm,—
i: conveyancing services; and
ii: services that a conveyancing practitioner provides by undertaking the work of a real estate agent regulated trust account
a: means a trust account required by this Act, or by any rules made under this Act, to be kept—
i: by the practitioner or a related person or entity; or
ii: by any incorporated firm of which the practitioner is a director or shareholder; and
b: includes any bank account in which money belonging to a client of the practitioner, of a related person or entity, or of an incorporated firm of which the practitioner is a director or shareholder is held if that money is held—
i: by, or in the name of, the practitioner or any such incorporated firm; or
ii: by, or in the name of, any person who is, in relation to the practitioner, a related person or entity; or
iii: by, or in the name of, any agent, or employee of the practitioner or of any such incorporated firm; or
iv: by, or in the names of, both the practitioner or any such incorporated firm and any person described in subparagraph (ii) or subparagraph (iii) related entity
a: in relation to a lawyer, any body (including a partnership or body corporate) on behalf of which, or in association with which, the lawyer provides, whether in his or her capacity as an employee, shareholder, or director or in any other capacity, regulated services to the public; and
b: in relation to a conveyancing practitioner, any body (including a partnership or body corporate) on behalf of which, or in association with which, the conveyancing practitioner provides, whether in his or her capacity as an employee, shareholder, or director or in any other capacity, regulated services to the public related person or entity
a: a related entity; or
b: any person who practises in partnership with the practitioner; or
c: any person who—
i: employs the practitioner to provide regulated services to the public; or
ii: is a director or shareholder of an incorporated law firm or incorporated conveyancing firm in which the practitioner practises relative
a: a spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner of the conveyancing practitioner or lawyer:
b: a parent or grandparent of the conveyancing practitioner or lawyer:
c: a step-parent of the conveyancing practitioner or lawyer:
d: a brother, sister, half-brother, or half-sister of the conveyancing practitioner or lawyer:
e: a child or grandchild
f: a step-child of the conveyancing practitioner or lawyer:
g: a parent of the conveyancing practitioner's or lawyer's spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner reserved areas of work
a: in giving legal advice to any other person in relation to the direction or management of—
i: any proceedings that the other person is considering bringing, or has decided to bring, before any New Zealand court or New Zealand tribunal; or
ii: any proceedings before any New Zealand court or New Zealand tribunal to which the other person is a party or is likely to become a party; or
b: in appearing as an advocate for any other person before any New Zealand court or New Zealand tribunal; or
c: in representing any other person involved in any proceedings before any New Zealand court or New Zealand tribunal; or
d: in giving legal advice or in carrying out any other action that, by section 21F roll shareholder section 96 solicitor sections 49(3)﻿(a) 53 Special Fund section 289 Standards Committee statutory officer
a: holding or performing the duties of an office established by an enactment; or
b: performing duties expressly conferred on that person by virtue of his or her office by an enactment; or
c: holding office as the chief executive of a Crown organisation trust account
a: means, in relation to a practitioner or incorporated firm, any trust account at a bank in New Zealand that is a trust account in the name of that practitioner or incorporated firm; and
b: includes, in relation to a practitioner, any trust account at a bank in New Zealand that—
i: is in the name of a firm in which that practitioner is a partner or is held out to be a partner; or
ii: is in the name of an incorporated firm of which that practitioner is a director or shareholder trust account records
a: means records relating to a trust account; and
b: includes any information which relates to a trust account and which is recorded or stored by means of any tape-recorder, computer, or other device, and any material subsequently derived from information so recorded or stored trustee company Trustee Companies Act 1967 union
a: has the same meaning as in section 5
b: includes an organisation—
i: whose members consist of unions; and
ii: whose purpose is or includes the promotion of the interests of its members as unions; and
c: includes a health professional organisation unsatisfactory conduct
a: in relation to a lawyer (whether in practice on his or her own account or not), the meaning given to it by section 12
b: in relation to an incorporated law firm, the meaning given to it by section 12
c: in relation to a conveyancing practitioner (whether in practice on his or her own account or not), the meaning given to it by section 13
d: in relation to an incorporated conveyancing firm, the meaning given to it by section 13
e: in relation to a person who is not a practitioner but who is an employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, the meaning given to it by section 14 1982 No 123 ss 2 65(4) Section 6 bank amended 1 July 2022 section 300(1) Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 Section 6 chief executive amended 7 August 2020 section 135 Public Service Act 2020 Section 6 community law centre substituted 1 July 2011 section 144 Legal Services Act 2011 Section 6 conveyancing amended 12 November 2018 section 250 Land Transfer Act 2017 Section 6 conveyancing amended 12 November 2018 section 250 Land Transfer Act 2017 Section 6 employee amended 1 October 2008 section 116(a)﻿(ii) Policing Act 2008 Section 6 employer organisation inserted 4 August 2008 section 5 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008 Section 6 health professional organisation inserted 4 August 2008 section 5 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008 Section 6 incorporated conveyancing firm amended 20 November 2012 section 8(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 6 incorporated law firm amended 20 November 2012 section 8(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 6 patent attorney replaced 24 February 2017 section 8 Patents (Trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2016 Section 6 qualifying trust inserted 20 November 2012 section 8(3) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 6 relative amended 20 November 2012 section 8(4) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 6 union inserted 4 August 2008 section 5 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008
7: Misconduct defined in relation to lawyer and incorporated law firm
1: In this Act, misconduct
a: means conduct of the lawyer or incorporated law firm that occurs at a time when he or she or it is providing regulated services and is conduct—
i: that would reasonably be regarded by lawyers of good standing as disgraceful or dishonourable; or
ii: that consists of a wilful or reckless contravention of any provision of this Act or of any regulations or practice rules made under this Act that apply to the lawyer or incorporated law firm or of any other Act relating to the provision of regulated services; or
iii: that consists of a wilful or reckless failure on the part of the lawyer, or, in the case of an incorporated law firm, on the part of a lawyer who is actively involved in the provision by the incorporated law firm of regulated services, to comply with a condition or restriction to which a practising certificate held by the lawyer, or the lawyer so actively involved, is subject; or
iv: that consists of the charging of grossly excessive costs for legal work carried out by the lawyer or incorporated law firm; and
b: includes—
i: conduct of the lawyer or incorporated law firm that is misconduct under subsection (2) or subsection (3); and
ii: conduct of the lawyer or incorporated law firm which is unconnected with the provision of regulated services by the lawyer or incorporated law firm but which would justify a finding that the lawyer or incorporated law firm is not a fit and proper person or is otherwise unsuited to engage in practice as a lawyer or an incorporated law firm.
2: A lawyer or an incorporated law firm is guilty of misconduct if, at a time when he or she or it is providing regulated services, and without the consent of the High Court or of the Disciplinary Tribunal, the lawyer or incorporated law firm knowingly employs, or permits to act as a clerk or otherwise, in relation to the provision of regulated services, any person who, to the knowledge of the lawyer or incorporated law firm,—
a: is under suspension from practice as a barrister or as a solicitor or as a conveyancing practitioner; or
b: has had his or her name struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors of the High Court; or
c: has had his or her registration as a conveyancing practitioner cancelled by an order made under this Act; or
d: is disqualified, by an order made under section 242(1)﻿(h)
3: A person is guilty of misconduct if that person, being a lawyer or an incorporated law firm, shares, with any person other than another lawyer or incorporated law firm, the income from any business involving the provision of regulated services to the public.
4: Despite subsection (3), a lawyer or an incorporated law firm is not guilty of misconduct under that subsection by reason only of sharing with a patent attorney (in the circumstances, and in accordance with any conditions, prescribed by the practice rules) the income from any business involving the provision of regulated services to the public.
5: Despite subsection (3), neither an incorporated law firm nor a lawyer who is actively involved in the provision by an incorporated law firm of regulated services is guilty of misconduct under that subsection by reason only of the incorporated law firm making a distribution to shareholders of that firm.
8: Misconduct defined in relation to conveyancing practitioner and incorporated conveyancing firm
1: In this Act, misconduct
a: means conduct of the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm that occurs at a time when he or she or it is providing regulated services and is conduct—
i: that would reasonably be regarded by conveyancing practitioners of good standing as disgraceful or dishonourable; or
ii: that consists of a wilful or reckless contravention of any provision of this Act or of any regulations or practice rules made under this Act that apply to the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm or of any other Act relating to the provision of regulated services; or
iii: that consists of a wilful or reckless failure, on the part of the conveyancing practitioner, or, in the case of an incorporated conveyancing firm, on the part of a conveyancing practitioner who is actively involved in the provision by the incorporated conveyancing firm of regulated services, to comply with a condition or restriction to which a practising certificate held by the conveyancing practitioner, or the conveyancing practitioner so actively involved, is subject; or
iv: that consists of the charging of grossly excessive costs for conveyancing carried out by the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm; and
b: includes—
i: conduct of the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm that is misconduct under subsection (2) or subsection (3); and
ii: conduct by the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm which is unconnected with the provision of regulated services by the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm but which would justify a finding that the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm is not a fit and proper person or is otherwise unsuited to engage in practice as a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm.
2: A conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm is guilty of misconduct if, at a time when he or she or it is providing regulated services, and without the consent of the High Court or of the Disciplinary Tribunal, the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm knowingly employs, or permits to act as a clerk or otherwise, in relation to the provision of regulated services, any person who, to the knowledge of the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm,—
a: is under suspension from practice as a barrister or as a solicitor or as a conveyancing practitioner; or
b: has had his or her name struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors of the High Court; or
c: has had his or her registration as a conveyancing practitioner cancelled by an order made under this Act; or
d: is disqualified, by an order made under section 242(1)﻿(h)
3: A person is guilty of misconduct if that person, being a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm, shares with any person other than another conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm, the income from any business involving the provision of regulated services to the public.
4: Despite subsection (3), neither an incorporated conveyancing firm nor a conveyancing practitioner who is actively involved in the provision by an incorporated conveyancing firm of regulated services is guilty of misconduct under that subsection by reason only of the incorporated conveyancing firm making a distribution to shareholders of that firm.
9: Misconduct defined in relation to provision of regulated services by employees
1: A lawyer is guilty of misconduct who, being an employee, provides regulated services to the public other than in the course of his or her employment—
a: by a lawyer; or
b: by a partnership comprised entirely of lawyers; or
c: by an incorporated law firm; or
d: by a community law centre; or
e: by the Ministry of Justice
f: by Public Trust; or
g: by the Maori Trustee; or
h: by a trustee company ; or
i: by an employer organisation; or
j: by a union.
1A: Despite subsection (1), a lawyer is guilty of misconduct if, in the course of his or her employment—
a: by an employer organisation, he or she provides—
i: legal services to a person other than the organisation or a member of the organisation; or
ii: legal services to a member of the organisation that are not relevant to his or her or its membership of the organisation; or
iii: regulated services that are not legal services to any person; or
b: by a union, he or she provides—
i: legal services to a person other than the union or a member of the union; or
ii: legal services to a member of the union that are not relevant to his or her or its membership of the union; or
iii: regulated services that are not legal services to any person.
1B: For the purposes of subsection (1A), legal services provided to a member of an employer organisation or, as the case requires, a union are relevant to his or her or its membership of the employer organisation or union if the legal services relate to—
a: the member's rights, obligations, or liabilities in his or her capacity—
i: as a member of the employer organisation or union; or
ii: as an employer or employee; or
b: any matter concerning or arising out of any employment relationship (within the meaning of the Employment Relations Act 2000
c: any claim or action by or against the member under any enactment specified in section 236(4)
d: compliance with any enactment or other requirement governing the performance of the duties of the member in the conduct of the member's normal business or profession; or
e: any question or matter concerning the member's professional liability, entitlement under any contract of insurance relating to professional liability, or compliance with professional standards.
2: A conveyancing practitioner is guilty of misconduct who, being an employee, provides regulated services to the public other than in the course of his or her employment—
a: by a conveyancing practitioner; or
b: by a partnership comprised entirely of conveyancing practitioners; or
c: by an incorporated conveyancing firm; or
d: by a lawyer; or
e: by a partnership comprised entirely of lawyers; or
f: by an incorporated law firm; or
g: by Public Trust; or
h: by the Maori Trustee; or
i: by a trustee company.
3: This section is subject to section 10 Section 9(1)﻿(e) amended 1 July 2011 section 144 Legal Services Act 2011 Section 9(1)﻿(h) amended 4 August 2008 section 6(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008 Section 9(1)﻿(i) added 4 August 2008 section 6(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008 Section 9(1)﻿(j) added 4 August 2008 section 6(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008 Section 9(1A) inserted 4 August 2008 section 6(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008 Section 9(1B) inserted 4 August 2008 section 6(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008
10: Exceptions to section 9
1: Nothing in section 9
a: a lawyer from being employed by a person other than a person described in paragraphs (a) to (j) section 9(1)
b: a conveyancing practitioner from being employed by a person other than a person described in paragraphs (a) to (i) of section 9(2)
c: a lawyer who is employed by a person other than a person described in paragraphs (a) to (j) section 9(1)
d: a conveyancing practitioner who is employed by a person other than a person described in paragraphs (a) to (i) of section 9(2)
e: a lawyer to whom paragraph (c) of this subsection applies from assisting or enabling his or her employer to provide to the public regulated services that are not—
i: legal services that come within the definition of reserved areas of work; or
ii: services that consist of the drafting, settling, or revising of any document that is to be filed in proceedings before any court or tribunal (if the drafting, settling, or revising of that document by the employer of the lawyer would contravene section 26
iii: conveyancing services; or
iv: services that a lawyer provides by undertaking the work of a real estate agent.
2: Nothing in section 9
a: a lawyer who is acting in his or her capacity as a statutory officer, and not in his or her personal capacity,—
i: from providing regulated services to the public in the discharge of his or her duties, or the exercise of his or her powers, under any enactment; or
ii: from doing any thing that is intended to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of the functions conferred on the statutory officer by any enactment; or
b: a lawyer who is employed by a Crown organisation or is an employee of a statutory officer or Crown organisation, and who is acting in the course of his or her employment,—
i: from providing regulated services to the public in the discharge of any duties, or in the exercise of any powers, of the Crown organisation or statutory officer under any enactment; or
ii: from doing any thing that is intended to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of the functions conferred on the Crown organisation or statutory officer by any enactment.
3: Nothing in section 9
4: Despite subsections (1) to (3), nothing in section 9 (a) to (j)
5: Nothing in section 9
6: Nothing in section 9
a: the application of section 7
b: the application of section 8 Section 10(1)﻿(a) amended 4 August 2008 section 7 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008 Section 10(1)﻿(c) amended 4 August 2008 section 7 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008 Section 10(4) amended 4 August 2008 section 7 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008
11: Misconduct defined in relation to employees who are not practitioners
In this Act, misconduct
a: means conduct of the person in the course of his or her employment by the practitioner or incorporated firm that would, if it were conduct of a practitioner, render the practitioner liable to have his or her name struck off the roll or to have his or her registration as a conveyancing practitioner cancelled; and
b: includes conduct of the person which is unconnected with his or her employment by the practitioner or incorporated firm but which would justify a finding that the person is not of good character or is otherwise unsuited for employment by a practitioner or incorporated firm.
12: Unsatisfactory conduct defined in relation to lawyers and incorporated law firms
In this Act, unsatisfactory conduct
a: conduct of the lawyer or incorporated law firm that occurs at a time when he or she or it is providing regulated services and is conduct that falls short of the standard of competence and diligence that a member of the public is entitled to expect of a reasonably competent lawyer; or
b: conduct of the lawyer or incorporated law firm that occurs at a time when he or she or it is providing regulated services and is conduct that would be regarded by lawyers of good standing as being unacceptable, including—
i: conduct unbecoming a lawyer or an incorporated law firm; or
ii: unprofessional conduct; or
c: conduct consisting of a contravention of this Act, or of any regulations or practice rules made under this Act that apply to the lawyer or incorporated law firm, or of any other Act relating to the provision of regulated services (not being a contravention that amounts to misconduct under section 7
d: conduct consisting of a failure on the part of the lawyer, or, in the case of an incorporated law firm, on the part of a lawyer who is actively involved in the provision by the incorporated law firm of regulated services, to comply with a condition or restriction to which a practising certificate held by the lawyer, or the lawyer so actively involved, is subject (not being a failure that amounts to misconduct under section 7
13: Unsatisfactory conduct defined in relation to conveyancing practitioners and incorporated conveyancing firms
In this Act, unsatisfactory conduct
a: conduct of the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm that occurs at a time when he or she or it is providing regulated services and is conduct that falls short of the standard of competence and diligence that a member of the public is entitled to expect of a reasonably competent conveyancing practitioner; or
b: conduct of the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm that occurs at a time when he or she or it is providing regulated services and is conduct that would be regarded by conveyancing practitioners of good standing as being unacceptable, including—
i: conduct unbecoming a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm; or
ii: unprofessional conduct; or
c: conduct consisting of a contravention of this Act, or of any regulations or practice rules made under this Act that apply to the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm, or of any other Act relating to the provision of regulated services (not being a contravention that amounts to misconduct under section 8
d: conduct consisting of a failure on the part of the conveyancing practitioner, or, in the case of an incorporated conveyancing firm, on the part of a conveyancing practitioner who is actively involved in the provision by the incorporated conveyancing firm of regulated services, to comply with a condition or restriction to which a practising certificate held by the conveyancing practitioner, or the conveyancing practitioner so actively involved, is subject (not being a failure that amounts to misconduct under section 8
14: Unsatisfactory conduct defined in relation to employees who are not practitioners
In this Act, unsatisfactory conduct
a: means conduct of the person in the course of his or her employment by the practitioner or incorporated firm that would, if it were conduct of a practitioner, be unsatisfactory conduct under section 12 section 13
b: includes conduct consisting of a contravention of this Act, or of any regulations or practice rules made under this Act that apply to the person, or of any other Act relating to the provision of regulated services (not being a contravention that amounts to misconduct under section 11
15: Directors and shareholders of incorporated firms
1: A company does not cease to be an incorporated firm merely because a lawyer or conveyancing practitioner who is actively involved in the provision by the company of regulated services and who is a director of the company or is both a director and shareholder of the company dies or ceases, temporarily or permanently, to be actively involved in the provision of regulated services by the company if,—
a: in the case where he or she is the only director of the company or is both the only director and a shareholder of the company, his or her powers as a director of that company are exercised or performed—
i: by the donee of a power of attorney given under, or treated by clause 12 clause 19(4) clause 3(1) clause 5(1)
ii: by the alternate of a donee of the kind described in subparagraph (i); or
b: in any other case where he or she is a director of the company or is both a director and shareholder of the company, at least 1 other lawyer or 1 other conveyancing practitioner, as the case may require, who is actively involved in the provision of regulated services by the company is a director of the company.
2: A company is not prevented from being an incorporated firm merely because of the application of any of the provisions of section 126(1)﻿(b) to (d), (2), or (3)
a: a person who, in the case of an incorporated law firm, is not a lawyer who is actively involved in the provision by the incorporated law firm of regulated services; or
b: a person who, in the case of an incorporated conveyancing firm, is not a conveyancing practitioner who is actively involved in the provision by that incorporated conveyancing firm of regulated services.
3: Subsection (1)﻿(b) is subject to section 16
16: Shareholders of incorporated firms
1: This section applies to any person who is a shareholder in a company that is an incorporated firm and who is qualified to be such a shareholder by reason of being—
a: a lawyer or conveyancing practitioner who is actively involved in the provision of regulated services by the company; or
b: a relative of a lawyer or conveyancing practitioner of the kind described in paragraph (a).
2: If, as a result of a lawyer or conveyancing practitioner dying or ceasing, temporarily or permanently, to be actively involved in the provision of regulated services by a company that is an incorporated firm, a person to whom this section applies would cease to be qualified as a shareholder of that company, this Act is, unless the lawyer or conveyancing practitioner is the only director of that company, to be applied in relation to that company, until the date specified in subsection (3), as if that person were qualified to be a shareholder of that company.
3: The date specified for the purposes of subsection (2) is the earlier of—
a: the date on which the shares in the company that are held by the person to whom this section applies are disposed of by or on behalf of that person or the administrator of that person's estate:
b: the date of the last day of the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the lawyer or conveyancing practitioner ceases to be actively involved in the provision of regulated services by that company.
17: Liabilities of director or shareholder of incorporated firm
1: For the avoidance of doubt, and subject to sections 18 19
a: for any act or omission of any other director or shareholder of the firm; or
b: for the debts or liabilities of the firm.
2: Subject to subsection (1), a practitioner who is a director or shareholder of an incorporated firm is subject to all the professional obligations to which he or she would be subject if he or she were in practice on his or her own account.
18: Liability of lawyer principals in respect of pecuniary loss by reason of theft
1: If a person suffers pecuniary loss by reason of the theft of any money or valuable property that has been entrusted to a lawyer or an incorporated law firm in the course of the lawyer's or incorporated law firm's practice, the persons specified in subsection (2) are, in addition to the person who committed the theft, personally liable for that pecuniary loss if the theft was committed—
a: by any person who is, in relation to the lawyer, a related person or entity; or
b: by any agent, employer, or employee of the lawyer or incorporated law firm (whether or not that agent, employer, or employee is also a lawyer); or
c: by any agent or employee of a person who is, in relation to the lawyer, a related person or entity (whether or not that agent or employee is also a lawyer); or
d: by any partner or director or other person who controls or manages the incorporated law firm or any body that is, in relation to the lawyer, a related entity.
2: The persons who are personally liable under subsection (1) are as follows:
a: the lawyer to whom, or the incorporated law firm to which, the money or other valuable property was entrusted:
b: any person who is, in relation to the lawyer referred to in paragraph (a), a related person or entity:
c: any person who is a director or shareholder of the incorporated law firm referred to in paragraph (a).
3: Despite subsection (2), a person who is a shareholder of the incorporated law firm referred to in subsection (2)﻿(a) is not personally liable under subsection (1) if—
a: that shareholder does not hold any shares in the incorporated law firm that confer voting rights; and
b: that shareholder is not a person who is actively involved in the provision by the incorporated law firm of regulated services; and
c: that shareholder is not a person who is an administrator of the estate of a person who, at the time of his or her death, was—
i: a director of the incorporated law firm; or
ii: a lawyer who was actively involved in the provision by the incorporated law firm of regulated services.
19: Liability of conveyancing practitioner principals in respect of pecuniary loss by reason of theft
1: If a person suffers pecuniary loss by reason of the theft of any money or valuable property that has been entrusted to a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm in the course of the conveyancing practitioner's or incorporated conveyancing firm's practice, the persons specified in subsection (2) are, in addition to the person who committed the theft, personally liable for that pecuniary loss if the theft was committed—
a: by any person who is, in relation to the conveyancing practitioner, a related person or entity; or
b: by any agent, employer, or employee of the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm (whether or not that agent, employer, or employee is also a conveyancing practitioner); or
c: by any agent or employee of a person who is, in relation to the conveyancing practitioner, a related person or entity (whether or not that agent or employee is also a conveyancing practitioner); or
d: by any partner or director or other person who controls or manages the incorporated conveyancing firm or any body that is, in relation to the conveyancing practitioner, a related entity.
2: The persons who are personally liable under subsection (1) are as follows:
a: the conveyancing practitioner to whom, or the incorporated conveyancing firm to which, the money or other valuable property was entrusted:
b: any person who is, in relation to the conveyancing practitioner referred to in paragraph (a), a related person or entity:
c: any person who is a director or shareholder of the incorporated conveyancing firm referred to in paragraph (a).
3: Despite subsection (2), a person who is a shareholder of the incorporated conveyancing firm referred to in subsection (2)﻿(a) is not personally liable under subsection (1) if—
a: that shareholder does not hold any shares in the incorporated conveyancing firm that confer voting rights; and
b: that shareholder is not a person who is actively involved in the provision by the incorporated conveyancing firm of regulated services; and
c: that shareholder is not a person who is an administrator of the estate of a person who, at the time of his or her death, was—
i: a director of the incorporated conveyancing firm; or
ii: a conveyancing practitioner who was actively involved in the provision by the incorporated conveyancing firm of regulated services.
20: Act to bind the Crown
This Act binds the Crown.
2: Restrictions on provision of legal services and conveyancing services
Legal services
21: Provision of legal services
1: A person commits an offence who, not being a lawyer or an incorporated law firm,—
a: provides legal services in New Zealand; and
b: describes himself, herself, or itself as—
i: a lawyer; or
ii: a law practitioner; or
iii: a legal practitioner; or
iv: a barrister; or
v: a solicitor; or
vi: a barrister and solicitor; or
vii: an attorney-at-law; or
viii: counsel.
2: This section is subject to the exceptions set out in sections 25(2) 27
22: Misleading descriptions
1: A person commits an offence who holds himself or herself, or any other person, out (whether directly or indirectly) as providing legal services, or as being entitled, qualified, able, or willing to provide legal services, under the description of lawyer or any of the terms specified in subparagraphs (ii) to (viii) of section 21(1)﻿(b)
2: A person commits an offence who uses or permits to be used in connection with that person's name or business or with the name under which that person carries on business any words, letters, or symbols that the person intends to cause, or are reasonably likely to cause, anyone else to believe that the first-mentioned person or any other person—
a: is a lawyer; or
b: holds any type of admission, enrolment, or practising certificate under this Act,— unless the first-mentioned person or, as the case requires, that other person is a lawyer or is admitted or enrolled or holds that practising certificate.
3: A person commits an offence who uses or permits to be used any words, letters, or symbols that the person intends to cause, or are reasonably likely to cause, anyone else to believe that the first-mentioned person or any other person possesses a qualification in law or any branch of the law or possesses special expertise in any branch of the law, unless the first-mentioned person or, as the case requires, that other person holds that qualification or possesses that special expertise.
4: This section is subject to the exceptions set out in sections 25(2) 27 1995 No 95 s 10
23: False or misleading representations in relation to supply of legal services
1: A person commits an offence who, in connection with the supply or possible supply of legal services or with the promotion by any means of the supply or use of legal services, makes a false or misleading representation that the legal services are provided, or are to be provided, by, or under the direct supervision of, a person (being that person or any other person)—
a: who is entitled to provide legal services under the description of lawyer or any other term specified in subparagraphs (ii) to (viii) of section 21(1)﻿(b)
b: who possesses any qualification in law or any branch of law.
2: Section 45 Part 5
3: It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) if the defendant proves that the contravention of that subsection was due—
a: to a reasonable mistake; or
b: to reasonable reliance on information supplied by another person.
24: Reserved areas of work for lawyers and incorporated law firms
1: A person commits an offence—
a: who, for gain or reward (whether direct or indirect) and not being a lawyer or an incorporated law firm, carries out work of a kind described in paragraph (a) of the definition of reserved areas of work (as set out in section 6
b: who, not being a lawyer, carries out work of a kind described in paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) or paragraph (d) of the definition of reserved areas of work (as set out in section 6
1A: For the purposes of subsection (1), an employer organisation or a union does not carry out work of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection merely because—
a: the employer organisation employs a lawyer who carries out work of that kind for members of the organisation, whether or not the organisation receives any gain or reward for that work:
b: the union employs a lawyer who carries out work of that kind for members of the union, whether or not the union receives any gain or reward for that work.
2: This section is subject to the exceptions set out in sections 25(2) 27 Section 24(1A) inserted 4 August 2008 section 8 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008
25: Lawyers of other jurisdictions
1: Nothing in sections 21 to 24
a: from providing in New Zealand legal services that do not involve carrying out work in any of the reserved areas of work; or
b: from doing any work, or transacting any business, in New Zealand if that work is business concerning—
i: the law of a country or territory outside New Zealand; or
ii: international law; or
c: providing legal services (including appearances) in New Zealand in relation to any proceedings before any court or other body if, for the purpose of those proceedings, it is essential that the provider of those legal services has knowledge of—
i: the law of a country or territory outside New Zealand; or
ii: international law.
2: Nothing in sections 21 to 24
a: the person is able to practise under such a description in a country outside New Zealand; and
b: the description incorporates a reference to the country in which the person is able to practise under that description and the fact that the ability to practise under such a description is connected with that country or territory; and
c: the use of the description by the person does not contravene any of the provisions of Part 1 section 11 section 13(b)
26: Drafting court documents
1: A person commits an offence who, for gain or reward (whether direct or indirect) and not being an authorised person within the meaning of subsection (2), drafts, settles, or revises for or on behalf of any person who is a party to proceedings before any court or tribunal or who proposes to intervene in, or become a party to, any such proceedings any document that is to be filed in those proceedings.
2: In this section,— authorised person
a: a lawyer; or
b: a person who is entitled under an Act to draft, settle, or revise a document that is to be filed in those proceedings; or
c: a person acting under the supervision of a lawyer document
3: This section is subject to the exceptions set out in section 27
4: An order under subsection (2) is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 26(4) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
27: Exceptions to sections 21, 22, 24, and 26
1: Sections 21 22 24 26
a: any person from representing himself or herself in proceedings before any court or tribunal; or
b: any person from appearing as an advocate, or representing any other person before any court or tribunal if the appearance or representation is allowed or required—
i: by any legislation
ii: by the court or tribunal; or
c: any person who may, in accordance with paragraph (b), appear in any proceedings as an advocate or representative from—
i: giving advice in relation to those proceedings; or
ii: giving assistance in drafting, settling, or revising documents for filing in those proceedings.
2: Sections 21 24 26
a: advice in relation to those proceedings; or
b: assistance in drafting, settling, or revising documents for filing in those proceedings.
3: A person does not commit an offence against any provision of sections 21 22 24 26
a: the printed form is either—
i: a form prescribed for the purpose of the proceedings; or
ii: a form prepared by a person who, at the time when it was prepared, was an authorised person within the meaning of section 26(2)
b: it is reasonable to expect that the form could be properly completed by persons who were not authorised persons within the meaning of section 26(2)
c: no charge is made, directly or indirectly, for the filling in of the form or any service in relation to the filling in of the form.
4: Sections 24 26
a: from discharging any of his, her, or its duties, or exercising any of his, her, or its powers, under any enactment; or
b: from doing any thing that is intended to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of the functions conferred on the statutory officer or Crown organisation by any enactment.
5: Section 24 Section 27(1)﻿(b)﻿(i) amended 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
28: Proceedings in respect of offences against any provision of sections 21 to 24
1: A charging document in respect of an offence against any provision of sections 21 to 24
a: by the President of the New Zealand Law Society; or
b: by a person authorised by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society to file that charging document.
2: In any proceedings for an offence against any provision of sections 21 to 24
a: is admissible in evidence; and
b: is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, sufficient evidence of the matters stated in it.
3: The production of a certificate for the purposes of subsection (2) purporting to be signed by the executive director of the New Zealand Law Society or a person authorised by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society to sign that certificate is prima facie evidence of the certificate without proof of the signature of the person purporting to have signed it. 1982 No 123 s 56(5), (6)﻿(a) Section 28(1) replaced 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
29: Contempt of court
Section 29 repealed 26 August 2020 section 29 Contempt of Court Act 2019
30: Practice by lawyer on his or her own account
1: No lawyer may commence practice on his or her own account, whether in partnership or otherwise, unless—
a: he or she—
i: meets the requirements with regard to both practical legal experience and suitability that are imposed by rules made under this Act; and
ii: meets any other criteria that are prescribed by rules made under this Act; or
b: he or she is granted by the High Court, on grounds set out in rules made under this Act, leave to practise on his or her own account.
2: A lawyer who is a director or shareholder of an incorporated law firm is deemed to be practising on his or her own account.
3: A lawyer may apply to the High Court for leave to practise on his or her own account.
4: The High Court, in deciding whether to grant an application for leave, must have regard to the matters that are specified in rules made under this Act in relation to such an application.
5: The High Court may grant leave subject to such conditions (if any) as it thinks proper.
6: A lawyer commits an offence who, in contravention of this section, commences practice on his or her own account. 1982 No 123 s 55(2)
31: Exceptions to section 30
1: Despite anything in section 30 Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 55
2: Section 30
a: to practise as a barrister and solicitor on his or her own account, if at any time previously (whether before or after the commencement of this section) he or she has lawfully practised on his or her own account as a solicitor or as a barrister and solicitor; or
b: to resume practice as a barrister on his or her own account, if at any time previously (whether before or after the commencement of this section) he or she has lawfully practised as a barrister on his or her own account.
3: Despite subsection (2), if,—
a: in the case of a lawyer to whom subsection (2)﻿(a) applies, more than 10 years have elapsed since that lawyer last practised on his or her own account as a solicitor or as a barrister and solicitor; or
b: in the case of a lawyer to whom subsection (2)﻿(b) applies, more than 10 years have elapsed since that lawyer last practised on his or her own account as a barrister,— that lawyer is not entitled to practise on his or her own account as a barrister and solicitor or as a barrister until he or she has received adequate instruction to the satisfaction of the Council of the New Zealand Law Society in the duties of a barrister and solicitor or of a barrister, as the case may require.
4: Section 30 Secretary for Justice 1982 No 123 s 55(7), (8) Section 31(4) amended 1 July 2011 section 144 Legal Services Act 2011 Conveyancing services
32: Provision of conveyancing services
1: A person commits an offence who, not being a lawyer or an incorporated law firm or a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm, provides conveyancing services in New Zealand and describes himself or herself as a lawyer, a conveyancing practitioner, a conveyancer, or a land broker.
2: For the purposes of subsection (1), a person describes himself or herself as a lawyer not only if he or she describes himself or herself as a lawyer but also if he or she uses, in describing himself or herself, any of the terms specified in subparagraphs (ii) to (viii) of section 21(1)﻿(b)
3: This section is subject to the exceptions set out in section 36 section 388(3)
33: Misleading descriptions
1: A person commits an offence who, not being a lawyer or an incorporated law firm or a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm, uses, in connection with his or her business, employment, or profession, any words, initials, abbreviations of words, symbols, or representations intended or likely to cause any other person to believe that the person is qualified to undertake conveyancing.
2: This section is subject to the exceptions set out in section 36 section 388(3)
34: Proceedings in respect of offence against section 32 or section 33
1: A charging document in respect of an offence against section 32 33
a: by the President of the New Zealand Law Society; or
b: by the President of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers; or
c: by a person authorised by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society or the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to file that charging document.
2: In any proceedings for an offence against section 32 section 33
a: a certificate purporting to be signed by the executive director of the New Zealand Law Society or a person authorised by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society to sign that certificate and stating that at any time or during any period specified in the certificate any person was not, and was not deemed to be, the holder of a current practising certificate as a barrister, or as a barrister and solicitor, as the case may require:
b: a certificate purporting to be signed by the executive director of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or a person authorised by the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to sign that certificate and stating that at any time or during any period specified in the certificate any person was not, and was not deemed to be, the holder of a current practising certificate as a conveyancing practitioner.
3: The production of a certificate for the purposes of subsection (2) purporting to be signed by the executive director of the New Zealand Law Society or by a person authorised by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society to sign that certificate or by the executive director of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or by a person authorised by the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to sign that certificate is prima facie evidence of the certificate without proof of the signature of the person purporting to have signed it. 1982 No 123 s 56(5), (6)﻿(a) Section 34(1) replaced 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
35: Practice of conveyancing
1: A person commits an offence who, for gain or reward (whether direct or indirect) and not being an authorised person within the meaning of subsection (2), provides conveyancing services to any other person.
2: In this section, authorised person
a: a lawyer; or
b: an incorporated law firm; or
c: a conveyancing practitioner; or
d: an incorporated conveyancing firm; or
e: a person acting under the supervision of a lawyer or conveyancing practitioner.
3: This section is subject to the exceptions set out in section 36 section 388(5) 1982 No 123 s 65(1), (3)
36: Exceptions to sections 32, 33, and 35
1: Sections 32 33 35
a: the tenancy is for a term of 12 months or less; and
b: no right of renewal is conferred on the tenant by the agreement.
2: Sections 32 33 35 person who holds a current licence under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008
a: from preparing any agreement for sale and purchase of land or any interest in land or of the goodwill of a business or of chattels; or
b: from giving advice about legal rights and obligations that is incidental to the preparing of an agreement of the kind referred to in paragraph (a).
2A: However, subsection (2) does not apply to a person who, under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008
3: Sections 32 33 35
a: those provisions of any conveyance, deed, or agreement that relate to intellectual property rights; or
b: any conveyance, deed, or agreement by which only intellectual property rights are assigned.
4: A person does not commit an offence against any provision of sections 32 33 35
a: the printed form is either—
i: a prescribed form; or
ii: a form prepared by a person who, at the time when it was prepared, was an authorised person within the meaning of section 35(2)
b: it is reasonable to expect that the form could be properly completed by persons who were not authorised persons within the meaning of section 35(2)
c: no charge is made, directly or indirectly, for the filling in of the form or any service in relation to the filling in of the form.
4A: A patent attorney does not commit an offence against any provision of sections 32 33 35
a: preparing documents, transacting business, and conducting proceedings for the purposes of the Patents Act 2013
b: exercising any other rights and privileges as may be prescribed under the joint registration regime provided for in Part 6
5: Section 35
a: from discharging any of his, her, or its duties, or exercising any of his, her, or its powers, under any enactment; or
b: from doing any thing that is intended to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of the functions conferred on the statutory officer or Crown organisation by any enactment. 1982 No 123 s 65(1)﻿(c), (2)﻿(a), (c) ; 1953 No 64 s 101(3) Section 36(2) amended 16 November 2009 section 173 Real Estate Agents Act 2008 Section 36(2A) inserted 16 November 2009 section 173 Real Estate Agents Act 2008 Section 36(4A) inserted 24 February 2017 section 8 Patents (Trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2016 Section 36 compare note amended 24 February 2017 section 8 Patents (Trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2016
37: Practice by conveyancing practitioner on his or her own account
1: No conveyancing practitioner may commence practice on his or her own account, whether in partnership or otherwise, unless—
a: he or she—
i: meets the requirements with regard to both practical experience in conveyancing and suitability that are imposed by rules made under this Act; and
ii: meets any other criteria that are prescribed by rules made under this Act; or
b: he or she is granted by the High Court, on grounds set out in rules made under this Act, leave to practise on his or her own account.
2: A conveyancing practitioner who is a director or shareholder of an incorporated conveyancing firm is deemed to be practising on his or her own account.
3: A conveyancing practitioner may apply to the High Court for leave to practise on his or her own account.
4: The High Court, in deciding whether to grant an application for leave, must have regard to such matters as are specified in rules made under this Act in relation to such an application.
5: The High Court may grant leave subject to such conditions (if any) as it thinks proper.
6: A conveyancing practitioner commits an offence who, in contravention of this section, commences practice on his or her own account. 1982 No 123 s 55(2)
38: Exceptions to section 37
1: Despite anything in section 37 section 67 section 229
2: Section 37
3: Despite subsection (2), if, in the case of a conveyancing practitioner to whom subsection (2) applies, more than 10 years have elapsed since that conveyancing practitioner last practised on his or her own account as a landbroker or conveyancing practitioner, that conveyancing practitioner is not entitled to practise on his or her own account as a conveyancing practitioner until he or she has received adequate instruction to the satisfaction of the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers in the duties of a conveyancing practitioner. 1982 No 123 s 55(7), (8)﻿(a) Practising certificates
39: Issue of practising certificates
1: The New Zealand Law Society, on application made to it by any person whose name is on the roll, must issue to that person a practising certificate either as a barrister or as a barrister and solicitor.
2: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, on application made to it by any person whose name is on the register of conveyancers, must issue to that person a practising certificate as a conveyancing practitioner.
3: Despite subsections (1) and (2), no person may hold at the same time both a practising certificate issued under subsection (1) and a practising certificate issued under subsection (2).
4: Despite subsections (1) and (2), the society to which the application is made—
a: may decline to issue a practising certificate to a person until that person has paid to it any fees and levies then payable by that person under this Act or under any rules made or resolutions passed under this Act; and
b: may refuse to issue a practising certificate to a person—
i: on the ground that the person does not meet the criteria prescribed by practice rules made under section 94(a)
ii: on the ground set out in section 41(1)
c: may refuse to issue a practising certificate to a person who, under section 19 section 17
5: A person who is suspended from practice must deposit his or her current practising certificate (if any) with the society that issued the certificate. 1982 No 123 ss 57(1) 59(1)﻿(b)
40: Effect of application for practising certificate
If a person who holds a practising certificate applies for a practising certificate for a further period and pays the prescribed fees and levies, and is otherwise entitled under this Act to the issue of the practising certificate applied for, that person is, until the certificate applied for is received by that person, or that person receives written notice that his or her application for a practising certificate has been refused, whichever first occurs, to be treated, for the purposes of this Act, as if that person were the holder of the practising certificate applied for. 1982 No 123 s 56(3)
41: Power to refuse to issue practising certificate
1: A regulatory society may refuse to issue a practising certificate to a person on the ground that the person is not a fit and proper person to hold a practising certificate.
2: For the purposes of determining whether or not a person is a fit and proper person to hold a practising certificate, the regulatory society may take into account any matters it considers relevant and, in particular, may take into account any of the following matters:
a: in the case of lawyers, any of the matters that may be taken into account under section 55
b: in the case of conveyancing practitioners, any of the matters that may be taken into account under section 83
c: the person has obtained a practising certificate because of incorrect or misleading information:
d: the person has contravened a condition of a practising certificate held by the person:
e: the person has contravened this Act or a corresponding law:
f: the person has contravened an order of the Disciplinary Tribunal or a corresponding tribunal:
g: the person has not undertaken any ongoing legal education required by practice rules made pursuant to section 97(1)﻿(b) section 98(1)﻿(c)
h: without limiting any other paragraph,—
i: the person's name has been removed from a foreign roll or a foreign register; or
ii: the person has failed to pay a required contribution or levy to the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund or the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund; or
iii: the person does not hold any professional indemnity insurance required by rules made under section 99
iv: the person has failed to pay any costs or expenses for which the person is liable under this Act or any regulations, rules, or resolutions made under this Act:
i: any other matters the regulatory society thinks appropriate.
3: A person may be considered to be a fit and proper person to hold a practising certificate even though the person is within any of the categories of the matters referred to in subsection (2), if the regulatory society considers that the circumstances warrant the determination.
4: If a matter was—
a: disclosed in an application for admission as a barrister and solicitor or in an application for registration as a conveyancer in this or another jurisdiction; and
b: determined by a High Court or the body considering the application for registration as a conveyancer not to be sufficient for refusing admission or registration,— the matter cannot be taken into account as a ground for refusing to issue a practising certificate, unless later disclosures demonstrate that the matter is part of a course of conduct that may warrant refusal.
5: Subsection (2) does not limit—
a: the grounds on which it may be determined whether or not a person is a fit and proper person to hold a practising certificate; or
b: the criteria that may be prescribed under section 94(a)
6: In this section, regulatory society
a: the New Zealand Law Society; or
b: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.
42: Right to appeal
1: A person may appeal to the Disciplinary Tribunal against any decision of the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to decline to issue, or to refuse to issue, a practising certificate to the person.
2: Every appeal under subsection (1)—
a: must be by way of rehearing; and
b: must be made within such time and in such form as may be prescribed by the Disciplinary Tribunal under section 227(g)
3: On hearing an appeal under subsection (1), the Disciplinary Tribunal may confirm, reverse, or modify the decision appealed against. Injunctions
43: Injunctions
The High Court or the District Court
a: a contravention of any of the provisions of sections 21 22 23 24 26 30(6) 32 33 35 37(6)
b: an attempt to contravene such a provision:
c: aiding, abetting, counselling, or procuring any other person to contravene such a provision:
d: inducing, or attempting to induce, any other person, whether by threats, promises, or otherwise, to contravene such a provision:
e: being in any way (whether directly or indirectly) knowingly concerned in, or party to, the contravention by any other person of such a provision:
f: conspiring with any other person to contravene such a provision. 1986 No 5 s 81 Section 43 amended 1 March 2017 section 261 District Court Act 2016 Appointment of agent to conduct sole practice or act as board of incorporated firm
44: Practitioners to whom Schedule 1 applies
1: Schedule 1
a: every lawyer who holds a practising certificate as a barrister and solicitor and who is providing legal services in New Zealand on his or her own account without partners:
b: every lawyer who is the only director of an incorporated law firm:
c: every conveyancing practitioner who is providing conveyancing services in New Zealand on his or her own account without partners:
d: every conveyancing practitioner who is the only director of an incorporated conveyancing firm.
2: For the purposes of this section, a practitioner does not practise on his or her own account without partners only by reason of the application to that practitioner of section 30(2) section 37(2) 1982 No 123 s 70(1)
45: Offences
Without prejudice to Schedule 1
a: fails to give a power of attorney in accordance with clause 2(1) clause 3(1) clause 4(1) clause 5(1)
b: revokes a power of attorney otherwise than in accordance with clause 14
c: fails to give a notice under clause 20 1982 No 123 s 78 Penalty
46: Penalty
A person who commits an offence against section 21 section 22 section 23 section 24 section 26 section 30(6) section 32 section 33 section 35 section 37(6) section 45
a: in the case of a natural person, to a fine not exceeding $50,000:
b: in the case of a corporation, to a fine not exceeding $150,000. Section 46 amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011 Provisions not affected
47: Provisions not affected
This Part does not limit or affect—
a: section 168
b: section 68
c: sections 323 324 Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
d: section 4A(3)
e: section 214(1)
f: section 40
g: section 38 Disputes Tribunal Act 1988
h: section 236
i: section 108(3)
j: the provisions of the joint registration regime for patent attorneys in Part 6
k: section 10
l: section 190 Section 47(b) substituted 1 July 2009 section 87 Court Martial Act 2007 Section 47(c) amended 14 July 2017 section 149 Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Act 2017 Section 47(g) amended 1 March 2017 section 261 District Court Act 2016 Section 47(j) replaced 24 February 2017 section 8 Patents (Trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2016 Section 47(k) replaced 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
3: Admission and enrolment of barristers and solicitors
Admission of barristers and solicitors
48: Admission as barrister and solicitor
1: Every person admitted by the High Court under this Act must be admitted as a barrister and solicitor; and no person may be admitted as a barrister or solicitor only.
2: Subject to this Act and to any order made under it, and to the express provisions of any other enactment, every person admitted as a barrister and solicitor is entitled, while his or her qualification continues, to practise in or before any court or tribunal. 1982 No 123 s 43(1), (4)
49: Qualifications
1: A person is qualified for admission as a barrister and solicitor if he or she is in at least 1 of the categories in this section.
2: The first category is persons who—
a: have all the qualifications for admission prescribed or required by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education; and
b: are fit and proper persons to be admitted as barristers and solicitors of the High Court; and
c: meet the criteria prescribed by rules made under section 54
3: The second category is persons who—
a: have been admitted as a barrister, solicitor, barrister and solicitor, advocate, or attorney by a senior
b: have all the qualifications prescribed or required by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education in consultation with the Council of the New Zealand Law Society; and
c: are fit and proper persons to be admitted as barristers and solicitors of the High Court; and
d: meet the criteria prescribed by rules made under section 54
4: The third category is persons who have been issued with a certificate by a Registrar stating that the candidate has given notice under section 19 1982 No 123 s 44 Section 49(3)﻿(a) amended 1 March 2017 section 183(b) Senior Courts Act 2016
50: Evidence of qualifications
1: A document purporting to be signed on behalf of any university in New Zealand by a person authorised for the purpose, by name or office, by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education and certifying that a candidate has a qualification for admission prescribed or required by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, sufficient evidence of that fact.
2: A document purporting to be signed by the chief executive of the New Zealand Council of Legal Education, or his or her delegate, and certifying that a candidate has all the qualifications for admission prescribed or required by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, sufficient evidence of that fact. 1982 No 123 s 45
51: Evidence of suitability
A certificate purporting to be signed by the executive director of the New Zealand Law Society, or a person authorised for the purpose, by name or office, by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society, and certifying that a candidate is both a fit and proper person to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court and a person who meets the criteria prescribed by rules made under section 54
52: Admission
1: A candidate seeking admission on the ground that he or she is qualified under section 49(2) or (3)
2: The High Court must make an order admitting the candidate as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court if—
a: the High Court is satisfied that the candidate is qualified for admission under section 49(2) or (3)
b: the candidate has taken the following oath: “I, AB, swear that I will truly and honestly conduct myself in the practice of a barrister and solicitor according to the best of my knowledge and ability.”
3: A candidate seeking admission on the ground that he or she is qualified under section 49(4)
4: The High Court must make an order admitting the candidate as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court if the High Court is satisfied that the candidate is qualified for admission under section 49(4)
5: Nothing in subsection (4) or section 49(4) sections 20 to 28 1982 No 123 s 46
53: Reciprocal admission
1: Where the Governor-General is satisfied—
a: that the law relating to the admission of barristers or solicitors of a senior
b: that by the law of that country barristers and solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand will be entitled to admission as barristers or as solicitors of that senior the Governor-General may, by Order in Council, order that barristers or solicitors of that senior
2: Any such order may refer to barristers only, or to solicitors only, or to barristers and solicitors, of any such country.
3: Every person admitted under any such order is deemed to have been duly admitted under this Act.
4: By the same or any subsequent order, the Governor-General may provide for all matters authorised by this section to be prescribed, and for all matters necessary to give effect to the order and to this section.
5: An order under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 s 47 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 53(1) amended 1 March 2017 section 183(b) Senior Courts Act 2016 Section 53(1)﻿(a) amended 1 March 2017 section 183(b) Senior Courts Act 2016 Section 53(1)﻿(b) amended 1 March 2017 section 183(b) Senior Courts Act 2016 Section 53(5) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
54: Rules of court as to admission
1: Rules, not inconsistent with this Act, may from time to time be made, in the manner prescribed by the Senior Courts Act 2016
2: Rules made under this section may prescribe non-educational criteria to be met by candidates for admission as barristers or as barristers and solicitors, which criteria may preclude the admission of a person who has, at any time, been convicted of an offence of a kind or class specified in rules made under this section or who has, at any time, been declared bankrupt.
3: Nothing in subsection (2) limits the generality of subsection (1). 1982 No 123 s 48 Section 54(1) amended 1 March 2017 section 183(b) Senior Courts Act 2016
55: Fit and proper person
1: For the purpose of determining whether or not a person is a fit and proper person to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court, the High Court or the New Zealand Law Society may take into account any matters it considers relevant and, in particular, may take into account any of the following matters:
a: whether the person is of good character:
b: whether the person has, at any time, been declared bankrupt or been a director of a company that has been put into receivership or liquidation:
c: whether the person has been convicted of an offence in New Zealand or a foreign country; and, if so,—
i: the nature of the offence; and
ii: the time that has elapsed since the offence was committed; and
iii: the person's age when the offence was committed:
d: whether the person has engaged in legal practice in New Zealand when not admitted under this Act or a corresponding law, or not holding an appropriate New Zealand practising certificate, as required by law:
e: whether the person has practised law in a foreign country—
i: when not permitted by or under the law of that country to do so; or
ii: if permitted to do so, in contravention of a condition of the permission:
f: whether the person is subject to—
i: an unresolved complaint under a corresponding foreign law; or
ii: a current investigation, charge, or order by a regulatory or disciplinary body for persons engaging in legal practice under a corresponding foreign law:
g: whether the person—
i: is a subject of current disciplinary action in another profession or occupation in New Zealand or a foreign country; or
ii: has been the subject of disciplinary action of that kind that has involved a finding of guilty, however expressed:
h: whether the person's name has been removed from a foreign roll, and that person's name has not been restored:
i: whether the person's right of practice as a lawyer has been cancelled or suspended in a foreign country:
j: whether the person has contravened, in New Zealand or a foreign country, a law about trust money or a trust account:
k: whether the person is subject to an order under this Act or a corresponding law disqualifying the person from being employed by, or a partner of, a lawyer or an incorporated law firm:
l: whether, because of a mental or physical condition, the person is unable to perform the functions required for the practice of the law.
2: The High Court or the New Zealand Law Society may determine that a person is a fit and proper person to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor even though the person—
a: is within any of the categories mentioned in any of the paragraphs of subsection (1); or
b: does not satisfy all of the criteria prescribed by rules made under section 54
3: Subsection (1) does not limit—
a: the grounds on which it may be determined that a candidate is not a fit and proper person for admission as a barrister and solicitor; or
b: the criteria that may be prescribed by rules made under section 54 Roll of barristers and solicitors
56: Registrar to keep roll of barristers and solicitors
Every Registrar must keep in his or her office a roll of barristers and solicitors. 1982 No 123 s 49(1)
57: Enrolment
On the making by the High Court of an order admitting any person as a barrister and solicitor, and on payment of the prescribed admission fee, the Registrar must place that person's name on the roll. 1982 No 123 s 50
58: Striking off and restoration of names by order of Disciplinary Tribunal or High Court
1: On the publication in the Gazette a person enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court under or by virtue of this Act
2: On the publication in the Gazette
3: In each case, the Registrar must make an entry in the roll of the date and effect of the order and of the fact that it was made by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal or by the High Court on appeal from that Tribunal, as the case may require. 1982 No 123 s 51 Section 58(1) amended 20 November 2012 section 10 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
59: Removal from roll if deemed registration ceases in some circumstances
1: The Registrar must remove from the roll the name of a person enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court under or by virtue of this Act
a: was admitted under section 52(4)
b: had deemed registration under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 if the Registrar receives written notice from a Registrar acting as a local registration authority that the deemed registration has ceased for a reason set out in section 28(1)﻿(a) or section 28(1)﻿(c) to (e)
2: The Registrar must cause to be published in the Gazette
3: The expenses incurred in publishing the notice must be paid by the person whose name is removed. 1982 No 123 s 51A Section 59(1) amended 20 November 2012 section 11 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
60: Voluntary removal of name from roll, and restoration
1: Any person may, at any time, with the prior consent of the Council of the New Zealand Law Society, request the Registrar to remove his or her name from the roll.
2: Any person whose name has been removed from the roll under this section may, at any time, with the prior consent of the Council of the New Zealand Law Society, request the Registrar to restore his or her name to the roll.
3: On being satisfied that such consent has been given, the Registrar must—
a: remove the person's name from the roll or, as the case may require, restore it to the roll; and
b: forthwith cause to be published in the Gazette
4: The expenses incurred in publishing the notice must be paid by the person whose name is removed or restored. 1982 No 123 s 52
61: Supply of information
Every Registrar must supply to the New Zealand Law Society from time to time such information as it requires for the purpose of issuing practising certificates.
62: Admission and restoration fees
1: The Council of the New Zealand Law Society may, from time to time, by resolution
a: by any candidate for admission as a barrister and solicitor:
b: by any person for the restoration of his or her name to the roll.
2: The Council may not fix fees under this section unless the Minister has approved the proposed fees.
3: A resolution fixing fees under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 s 53 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 62(1) amended 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 62(2) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 62(3) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
4: New Zealand Law Society
63: Continuation of New Zealand Law Society
1: This section continues in being the society called the New Zealand Law Society (being the society continued in being by section 3(1)
2: The New Zealand Law Society is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, and, except as provided in this Act, has and may exercise—
a: all the rights, powers, and privileges, and may incur all the liabilities and obligations, of a natural person of full age and capacity; and
b: the power to do any other thing it is authorised to do—
i: by this Act; or
ii: by any other enactment; or
iii: by any rule of law.
3: The New Zealand Law Society may not exercise any of its rights, powers, or privileges except for the purpose of performing its functions. 1982 No 123 s 3(1), (3)
64: Membership
The New Zealand Law Society has members in accordance with its constitution and this Act, but membership is voluntary and does not of itself—
a: impose on the members any liability in respect of any contract, debt, or other obligation made or incurred by the New Zealand Law Society; or
b: confer on the members any right, title, or interest in the property of the New Zealand Law Society. 1982 No 123 s 3(2) Functions
65: Regulatory functions
The regulatory functions of the New Zealand Law Society are—
a: to control and regulate the practice in New Zealand by barristers and by barristers and solicitors of the profession of the law:
b: to uphold the fundamental obligations imposed on lawyers who provide regulated services in New Zealand:
c: to monitor and enforce the provisions of this Act, and of any regulations and rules made under it, that relate to the regulation of lawyers:
d: to monitor and enforce, throughout the period specified in any order made under section 390
e: to assist and promote, for the purpose of upholding the rule of law and facilitating the administration of justice in New Zealand, the reform of the law. 1982 No 123 s 4
66: Representative functions
The representative functions of the New Zealand Law Society are to represent its members and to serve their interests. Powers
67: Regulatory powers
1: The New Zealand Law Society has all such powers, rights, and authorities as are necessary or expedient for or conducive to the performance of its regulatory functions.
2: Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the New Zealand Law Society has, in addition to any other powers conferred on it by this or any other Act, the following powers:
a: to issue practising certificates to all barristers and barristers and solicitors who seek to provide legal services:
b: to keep and maintain a register of the persons who hold practising certificates as barristers or as barristers and solicitors:
c: to make practice rules that are binding on all lawyers or any specified class of lawyers:
d: to oppose any application made for admission as a barrister and solicitor, or any other application made under this Act:
e: to institute prosecutions against lawyers or other persons for the breach of any statute, rules, or regulations relating to the provision of legal services:
f: to appoint and pay any person to perform any work or services for the Society, or any lawyer to appear before any court, tribunal, or other body in any matter in which the Society is concerned or interested:
g: to pay all costs, witnesses' expenses, and other payments incidental to, or connected with, any application or proceedings to which the Society is a party or at the hearing of which it is entitled to appear:
h: to pay the whole or any part of the expenses incurred by members in attending meetings of the Council of the Society or meetings of any committee appointed by the Council.
3: The New Zealand Law Society may, in its regulatory capacity and for the purpose of enabling the fulfilment of its regulatory functions under this Act, publish information for the education of lawyers and the public.
4: The New Zealand Law Society, in its regulatory capacity, may provide and charge for services, including premises, for the purpose of the Society's representative functions and powers, but the Society must not in its regulatory capacity subsidise the provision of any such services. 1982 No 123 s 5(1), (2)﻿(c)–(g)
68: Representative powers
1: The New Zealand Law Society has all such powers, rights, and authorities as are necessary or expedient for, or conducive to, the performance of its representative functions.
2: Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the New Zealand Law Society has, in addition to any other powers conferred on it by this or any other Act, the following powers:
a: to provide or arrange for the provision of services and facilities for lawyers, including seminars and educational and training services and facilities:
b: to publish periodicals, pamphlets, and other materials:
c: to establish or join in establishing any body, whether incorporated or not, and whether in New Zealand or elsewhere, for the purpose of the performance or exercise of any of the Society's representative functions or powers.
3: The New Zealand Law Society, in its representative capacity, may provide and charge for services, including premises, for the purpose of the Society's regulatory functions and powers. Charges for the provision of such services must not exceed fair market rates. 1982 No 123 s 5(1), (2)﻿(a), (b), (h)
69: Power to borrow
1: The New Zealand Law Society has the power to borrow money required by it to perform its functions in either its regulatory capacity or its representative capacity or both.
2: The New Zealand Law Society has the power to mortgage, charge, or otherwise grant security over assets held and levies made in its regulatory capacity in order to secure borrowings made to enable it to perform its regulatory functions.
3: The New Zealand Law Society has the power to mortgage, charge, or otherwise grant security over the assets held by it for the benefit of its members to secure borrowings made by it to enable it to perform its representative functions. 1982 No 123 s 14
70: Constitution of New Zealand Law Society
1: The New Zealand Law Society must have a constitution that provides for—
a: a Council of the New Zealand Law Society and the powers of the Council; and
b: the ways in which persons become members of the New Zealand Law Society; and
c: the ways in which persons cease to be members of the New Zealand Law Society; and
d: the summoning and holding of general meetings of the New Zealand Law Society, and the method of voting at those meetings; and
e: a president and 1 or more vice-presidents of the Council; and
f: an Executive Board of the New Zealand Law Society; and
g: the appointment by the Council of an executive director of the New Zealand Law Society, who may be a member of the Council; and
h: the amendment and replacement of the constitution.
2: In addition to the provisions required by subsection (1), the constitution may contain any other provisions that are not inconsistent with this Act or any other Act or any rule of law. 1996 No 39 s 6(1)﻿(a)–(e), (k), (2)
71: Registration of constitution and amendments to constitution
1: The Council of the New Zealand Law Society must, no later than 14 days after the day on which this section comes into force, deliver to the Registrar of Companies at Wellington for registration a document, which is to be described as and which is to constitute the constitution of the New Zealand Law Society.
2: The Council of the New Zealand Law Society must, no later than 14 days after the passing of any amendment to the constitution or the replacement of the constitution, deliver to the Registrar of Companies at Wellington for registration a copy of the amendment or the new constitution. 1996 No 39 s 6(3), (4)
72: Application of Legislation Act 2019 to constitution of New Zealand Law Society
The New Zealand Law Society’s constitution, and any amendments to it, are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 72 replaced 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
73: Practising fees
1: Every lawyer must pay an annual practising fee to the New Zealand Law Society.
2: The amount of the annual practising fee is to be fixed from time to time by a resolution made by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society ( see
3: The money received by the New Zealand Law Society by way of practising fees is to be used by the Society for the sole purpose of funding the regulatory functions and powers of the Society.
4: A resolution under subsection (2) may provide for the payment of practising fees of different amounts by different classes of lawyers.
5: A practising fee is payable in such manner as the practice rules prescribe or authorise and is recoverable on behalf of the New Zealand Law Society as a debt due to it.
6: The Council may not fix fees under subsection (2) unless the Minister has approved the proposed fees.
7: A resolution under subsection (2) is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 s 60(1)﻿(a) The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 73(2) amended 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 73(6) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 73(7) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
74: Levies
1: The Council of the New Zealand Law Society—
a: may, by resolution, for the sole purpose of funding the regulatory functions and powers of the Society, impose on lawyers a levy or levies not exceeding in the aggregate in any year, in respect of any lawyer, an amount equal to one-quarter of the maximum practising fee payable by any lawyer for that year; and
b: in addition, may, by resolution, for the purpose of section 221(1) section 217 section 219
2: Any resolution under subsection (1) may provide—
a: for payment of the levy—
i: by all lawyers; or
ii: by any specified class or classes of lawyers; or
iii: by lawyers practising in any specified part or parts of New Zealand:
b: for the payment of different amounts—
i: by different classes of lawyers; or
ii: by lawyers practising in different parts of New Zealand.
3: The proceeds of any levy imposed under subsection (1) must not be used by the Society in the exercise of its representative functions and powers or to meet any debt or liability incurred by the Society in respect of its representative functions and powers.
4: The amount of any levy imposed under subsection (1) is payable in such manner as the practice rules prescribe or authorise, and is recoverable on behalf of the New Zealand Law Society as a debt due to it.
5: A resolution under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 s 9 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 74(5) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
75: Subscriptions
1: For the sole purpose of funding the representative functions and powers of the New Zealand Law Society, the Council of that Society may, by resolution, require the payment of a subscription by each member of that Society.
2: Any resolution under subsection (1) may provide—
a: for the payment of the subscription—
i: by all members; or
ii: by any specified class or classes of members; or
iii: by members practising in any specified part or parts of New Zealand:
b: for the payment of different amounts—
i: by different classes of members; or
ii: by members practising in different parts of New Zealand.
3: The amount of any subscription is payable in such manner as the constitution prescribes or authorises and is recoverable on behalf of the New Zealand Law Society as a debt due to it.
76: Annual report
1: The New Zealand Law Society must, as soon as practicable after the end of each year ending with 30 June, furnish to the Minister a report on the exercise of its regulatory functions and powers during that year.
2: The report must include financial statements in relation to the exercise of those functions and powers.
3: The Minister must present a copy of the report to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after its receipt by the Minister.
5: New Zealand Society of Conveyancers
77: Establishment of New Zealand Society of Conveyancers
1: This section establishes a New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.
2: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, and, except as provided in this Act, has and may exercise—
a: all the rights, powers, and privileges, and may incur all the liabilities and obligations, of a natural person of full age and capacity; and
b: the power to do any other thing it is authorised to do—
i: by this Act; or
ii: by any other enactment; or
iii: by any rule of law.
3: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers may not exercise any of its rights, powers, or privileges except for the purpose of performing its functions.
78: Membership
The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers has members in accordance with its constitution and this Act, but membership is voluntary and does not of itself—
a: impose on the members any liability in respect of any contract, debt, or other obligation made or incurred by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers; or
b: confer on the members any right, title, or interest in the property of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers. Functions
79: Regulatory functions
The regulatory functions of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers are—
a: to control and regulate the practice in New Zealand by conveyancers of the profession of conveyancing:
b: to uphold the fundamental obligations imposed on conveyancing practitioners who provide regulated services:
c: to monitor and enforce the provisions of this Act, and of any regulations and rules made under it, that relate to the regulation of conveyancing practitioners:
d: to perform and exercise, in relation to the profession of conveyancing, functions and powers similar to those conferred on the New Zealand Council of Legal Education by sections 274 275
80: Representative functions
The representative functions of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers are to represent its members and to serve their interests. Powers
81: Regulatory powers
1: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers has all such powers, rights, and authorities as are necessary or expedient for, or conducive to, the performance of its regulatory functions.
2: Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers has, in addition to any other powers conferred on it by this or any other Act, the following powers:
a: to make, under section 82
b: to issue practising certificates to all registered conveyancers who seek to provide conveyancing services:
c: to keep and maintain a register of the registered conveyancers who hold practising certificates as conveyancers:
d: to make practice rules that are binding on all conveyancing practitioners or any specified class of conveyancing practitioners:
e: to institute prosecutions against conveyancing practitioners or other persons for the breach of any statute, rules, or regulations relating to the provision of conveyancing services:
f: to appoint and pay any person to perform any work or services for the Society, or any lawyer to appear before any court, tribunal, or other body in any matter in which the Society is concerned or interested:
g: to pay all costs, witnesses' expenses, and other payments incidental to, or connected with, any application or proceedings to which the Society is a party or at the hearing of which it is entitled to appear:
h: to pay the whole or any part of the expenses incurred by members in attending meetings of the Council of the Society or meetings of any committee appointed by the Council.
3: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers may, in its regulatory capacity and for the purpose of enabling the fulfilment of its regulatory functions under this Act, publish information for the education of conveyancing practitioners and the public.
4: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, in its regulatory capacity, may provide and charge for services, including premises, for the purpose of the Society's representative functions and powers, but the Society must not in its regulatory capacity subsidise the provision of any such services. 1982 No 123 s 5(1), (2)﻿(c)–(g)
82: Rules for registration of conveyancers
1: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must have, under section 81(2)﻿(a)
2: The rules must—
a: prescribe the criteria to be met by candidates for registration as conveyancers:
b: provide not only for the grant of registration but also for the postponement or refusal of registration:
c: provide for the imposition of conditions on a grant of registration:
d: provide for the cancellation or suspension of registration:
e: prescribe the fees payable in respect of registration and applications for registration:
f: provide for the amendment of the register if a person has been wrongfully registered or the particulars appearing in the register in relation to any person are incorrect:
g: provide for the register to be open to public inspection, at all reasonable times, without fee.
3: The rules must,—
a: for the purpose of ensuring that those granted registration as conveyancers are qualified to provide conveyancing services in New Zealand, provide educational criteria to be met by candidates for registration as conveyancers; and
b: for the purpose of ensuring that foreign qualifications, registration, and experience can be taken into account, provide for, or include mechanisms providing for, the recognition of foreign qualifications, registration, and experience.
4: The rules may—
a: provide for the appointment of officers and committees and other bodies, and define their functions and powers:
b: prescribe conditions subject to which registration may be granted:
c: prescribe forms:
d: provide for the delegation of functions, duties, and powers:
e: confer rights of appeal against any decision or determination made, or any requirement or condition imposed, under the rules.
5: The rules are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 82(5) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
83: Fit and proper person
1: For the purpose of determining whether or not a person is a fit and proper person to be granted registration as a conveyancer, the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or any other body that is required to consider an application for the grant of registration as a conveyancer may take into account any matters it considers relevant and, in particular, may take into account any of the following matters:
a: whether the person is of good character:
b: whether the person has, at any time, been declared bankrupt or been a director of a company that has been put into receivership or liquidation:
c: whether the person has been convicted of an offence in New Zealand or a foreign country; and, if so,—
i: the nature of the offence; and
ii: the time that has elapsed since the offence was committed; and
iii: the person's age when the offence was committed:
d: whether the person has provided conveyancing services in New Zealand when not registered under this Act or a corresponding law, or not holding an appropriate New Zealand practising certificate, as required by law:
e: whether the person has provided conveyancing services in a foreign country—
i: when not permitted by or under the law of that country to do so; or
ii: if permitted to do so, in contravention of a condition of the permission:
f: whether the person is subject to—
i: an unresolved complaint under a corresponding foreign law; or
ii: a current investigation, charge, or order by a regulatory or disciplinary body for persons engaging in legal practice under a corresponding foreign law:
g: whether the person—
i: is a subject of current disciplinary action in another profession or occupation in New Zealand or a foreign country; or
ii: has been the subject of disciplinary action of that kind that has involved a finding of guilty, however expressed:
h: whether the person's name has been removed from a foreign register, and that person's name has not been restored:
i: whether the person's right to provide conveyancing services has been cancelled or suspended in a foreign country:
j: whether the person has contravened, in New Zealand or a foreign country, a law about trust money or a trust account:
k: whether the person is subject to an order under this Act or a corresponding law disqualifying the person from being employed by, or a partner of, a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm:
l: whether, because of a mental or physical condition, the person is unable to perform the functions required for the provision of conveyancing services.
2: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, or any other person who is required to consider an application for the grant of registration as a conveyancer, may determine that a person is a fit and proper person to be granted registration as a conveyancer even though the person is within any of the categories mentioned in any of the paragraphs of subsection (1).
3: Subsection (1) does not limit—
a: the grounds on which it may be determined that a person is not a fit and proper person to be granted registration as a conveyancer; or
b: the grounds on which it may be determined that a person does not have the qualifications or experience required for registration as a conveyancer; or
c: the criteria that may be prescribed by rules made under section 82(2)﻿(a)
84: Rules relating to education
1: The rules referred to in section 82(3)
a: subject to this Act, set, or provide for the setting of, the qualification and educational requirements for candidates for registration as conveyancers:
b: subject to this Act, define and prescribe, or provide for the defining and prescribing of, courses of study required to be undertaken by candidates for registration as conveyancers:
c: provide for the delivery of the courses of study referred to in paragraph (b):
d: provide for the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to deliver, where necessary, the courses of study referred to in paragraph (b) or the courses of study referred to in paragraph (e) or both:
e: provide for the licensing of other persons to deliver courses of study in practical legal training for candidates for registration as conveyancers:
f: provide for the making of arrangements under which the courses of study referred to in paragraph (b) are to be monitored and assessed:
g: prescribe, in relation to the registration of conveyancers, mechanisms for—
i: the recognition of foreign qualifications, registration, and experience; and
ii: the recognition of qualifications for the purposes of the principle set out in section 15
h: subject to this Act, provide for the granting to any candidate for registration as a conveyancer such credits (whether ad eundem
i: encourage and, where the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers thinks it necessary or appropriate, provide for research and postgraduate study:
j: provide for the tendering of advice to the council of any university on any matter relating to the education of conveyancers:
k: provide for the making to the Minister of any reports that the Minister requires relating to the education of conveyancers:
l: subject to this Act and any other Act, provide for the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to do whatever it considers necessary or expedient in order that it may best accomplish the purposes for which it exists.
2: Without limiting subsection (1), rules of the kind described in that subsection—
a: may require that a candidate credited or exempted under rules of the kind described in subsection (1)﻿(h) must pass an examination in the law of New Zealand relating to conveyancing or in the practice of law in New Zealand relating to conveyancing or in both:
b: may provide for the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to charge any person or organisation reasonable fees in respect of—
i: any matter the person or organisation submits to the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers for its consideration:
ii: any work or services the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers has done or performed for the person or organisation:
iii: enrolling for or sitting any examination conducted or proposed to be conducted by, or on behalf of, the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers. 1982 No 123 s 38
85: Representative powers
1: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers has all such powers, rights, and authorities as are necessary or expedient for, or conducive to, the performance of its representative functions.
2: Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers has, in addition to any other powers conferred on it by this or any other Act, the following powers:
a: to provide or arrange for the provision of services and facilities for conveyancing practitioners, including seminars and educational and training services and facilities:
b: to publish periodicals, pamphlets, and other materials:
c: to establish or join in establishing any body, whether incorporated or not, and whether in New Zealand or elsewhere, for the purpose of the exercise of any of the Society's representative functions or powers.
3: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, in its representative capacity, may provide and charge for services, including premises, for the purpose of the Society's regulatory functions and powers. Charges for the provision of such services must not exceed fair market rates. 1982 No 123 s 5(1), (2)﻿(a), (b), (h)
86: Power to borrow
1: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers has the power to borrow money required by it to perform its functions in either its regulatory capacity or its representative capacity or both.
2: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers has the power to mortgage, charge, or otherwise grant security over assets held and levies made in its regulatory capacity in order to secure borrowings made to enable it to perform its regulatory functions.
3: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers has the power to mortgage, charge, or otherwise grant security over the assets held by it for the benefit of its members to secure borrowings made by it to enable it to perform its representative functions. 1982 No 123 s 14
87: Constitution of New Zealand Society of Conveyancers
1: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must have a constitution that provides for—
a: a Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers and the powers of the Council; and
b: the ways in which persons become members of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers; and
c: the ways in which persons cease to be members of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers; and
d: the summoning and holding of general meetings of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, and the method of voting at those meetings; and
e: a president and 1 or more vice-presidents of the Council; and
f: an Executive Board of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers; and
g: the amendment and replacement of the constitution.
2: In addition to the provisions required by subsection (1), the constitution may contain any other provisions that are not inconsistent with this Act or any other Act or any rule of law.
88: Registration of constitution and amendments to constitution
1: The Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must, no later than 14 days after the day on which this section comes into force, deliver to the Registrar of Companies at Wellington for registration a document, which is to be described as, and which is to constitute, the constitution of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.
2: The Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must, no later than 14 days after the passing of any amendment to the constitution or the replacement of the constitution, deliver to the Registrar of Companies at Wellington for registration a copy of the amendment or the new constitution.
89: Application of Legislation Act 2019 to constitution of New Zealand Society of Conveyancers
The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers’ constitution, and any amendments to it, are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 89 replaced 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
90: Practising fees
1: Every conveyancing practitioner must pay an annual practising fee to the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.
2: The amount of the annual practising fee is to be fixed from time to time by a resolution made by the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers ( see
3: The money received by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers by way of practising fees is to be used by the Society for the sole purpose of funding the regulatory functions and powers of the Society.
4: A resolution under subsection (2) may provide for the payment of practising fees of different amounts by different classes of conveyancing practitioners.
5: A practising fee is payable in such manner as the practice rules prescribe or authorise and is recoverable on behalf of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers as a debt due to it.
6: The Council may not fix fees under subsection (2) unless the Minister has approved the proposed fees.
7: A resolution under subsection (2) is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 s 60(1)﻿(a) The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 90(2) amended 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 90(6) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 90(7) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
91: Levies
1: The Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers—
a: may, by resolution, for the sole purpose of funding the regulatory functions and powers of the Society, impose on conveyancing practitioners a levy or levies not exceeding in the aggregate in any year, in respect of any conveyancing practitioner, an amount equal to one-quarter of the maximum practising fee payable by any conveyancing practitioner for that year; and
b: in addition, may, by resolution, for the purpose of section 221(2) section 217 section 219
2: Any resolution under subsection (1) may provide—
a: for payment of the levy—
i: by all conveyancing practitioners; or
ii: by any specified class or classes of conveyancing practitioners; or
iii: by conveyancing practitioners practising in any specified part or parts of New Zealand:
b: for the payment of different amounts—
i: by different classes of conveyancing practitioners; or
ii: by conveyancing practitioners practising in different parts of New Zealand.
3: The proceeds of any levy imposed under subsection (1) must not be used by the Society in the performance and exercise of its representative functions and powers or to meet any debt or liability incurred by the Society in respect of its representative functions and powers.
4: The amount of any levy imposed under subsection (1) is payable in such manner as the practice rules prescribe or authorise, and is recoverable on behalf of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers as a debt due to it.
5: A resolution under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 s 9 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 91(5) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
92: Subscriptions
1: For the sole purpose of funding the representative functions and powers of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, the Council of that Society may, by resolution, require the payment of a subscription by each member of that Society.
2: Any resolution under subsection (1) may provide—
a: for the payment of the subscription—
i: by all members; or
ii: by any specified class or classes of members; or
iii: by members practising in any specified part or parts of New Zealand:
b: for the payment of different amounts—
i: by different classes of members; or
ii: by members practising in different parts of New Zealand.
3: The amount of any subscription is payable in such manner as the constitution prescribes or authorises, and is recoverable on behalf of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers as a debt due to it.
93: Annual report
1: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must, as soon as practicable after the end of each year ending with 30 June, furnish to the Minister a report on the performance and exercise of its regulatory functions and powers during that year.
2: The report must include financial statements in relation to the performance and exercise of those functions and powers.
3: The Minister must present a copy of the report to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after its receipt by the Minister.
6: Conduct of practice by practitioners
Practice rules and regulations
94: Practice rules
1: The New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must each have rules that include or provide for—
a: the criteria for eligibility for a practising certificate:
b: the payment of the practising fees that are payable under section 73 section 90 section 39(1) or section 39(2)
c: the payment of levies imposed by a resolution made under section 74(1) section 91(1) section 75(1) section 92(1)
d: the keeping and maintenance of a register of practitioners:
e: standards of professional conduct and client care:
f: in the case of the New Zealand Law Society, the matters relating to the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund that are referred to in section 309
g: in the case of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, the matters relating to the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund that are referred to in section 310
h: in the case of the New Zealand Law Society, the circumstances in which, and the conditions subject to which, lawyers and incorporated law firms may share with patent attorneys the income from any business involving the provision of regulated services to the public:
i: the requirements to be met before a practitioner may practise as such on his or her own account, whether as a sole practitioner, in partnership, or otherwise:
j: a requirement for practitioners and incorporated firms to provide clients in advance with information on the principal aspects of client service, including—
i: the basis on which fees will be charged; and
ii: indemnity insurance arrangements or other arrangements in respect of professional indemnity; and
iii: the coverage provided by any fidelity fund; and
iv: complaints mechanisms:
k: the regulation of the receipt, holding, and disbursement of money and other property received or held by practitioners or incorporated firms on behalf of other persons:
l: the operation of the complaints service established by it under section 121
m: the criteria to be met by persons who are candidates for appointment as investigators:
n: the circumstances and manner in which the appointment of an investigator may be revoked:
o: the kinds of conduct, including criminal offences, for which a practitioner or former practitioner may be disciplined:
p: prescribing the maximum sum that a Standards Committee may order be paid under section 156(1)﻿(d)
q: the delegation of functions, duties, and powers under the practice rules:
r: the amendment and replacement of the practice rules.
2: Practice rules under this Part are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 94(2) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
95: Code of professional conduct and client care
The New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, in exercising the powers conferred by section 94(e)
a: in the case of lawyers, the duties of lawyers as officers of the High Court and the duties of lawyers to their clients:
b: in the case of conveyancing practitioners, the duties of conveyancing practitioners to their clients:
c: in the case of both lawyers and conveyancing practitioners, the duties imposed on them by their fundamental obligation to be independent in providing regulated services to their clients.
96: Practice rules in relation to nominee companies
Practice rules made by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society must regulate, or provide for the regulation of, the formation, operation, management, and winding up of nominee companies that—
a: are operated by barristers and solicitors or incorporated law firms; and
b: invest money in contributory mortgages or other securities on behalf of clients. 1982 No 123 s 17(2)﻿(g)
97: Certain practice rules in relation to lawyers
1: Practice rules made by the New Zealand Law Society—
a: must provide for the issue of practising certificates to persons as barristers barristers and solicitors
b: may require lawyers, or any class of lawyers, to undertake ongoing legal education relating to the law or the practice of law.
2: Practice rules made pursuant to subsection (1)﻿(b) may, without limitation,—
a: provide for the times or frequencies at which the legal education must be undertaken and the topics to be addressed:
b: require that particular legal education be undertaken, or (in addition or as an alternative) require that the legal education comply with specified requirements:
c: exempt, or provide for the exemption of, any lawyer or class of lawyer, from all or any practice rules made pursuant to subsection (1)﻿(b). 1982 No 123 s 17(2)﻿(fa)
98: Certain practice rules in relation to conveyancing practitioners
1: Practice rules made by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers—
a: must provide educational criteria to be met by candidates for practising certificates as conveyancing practitioners:
b: must provide for, or include mechanisms providing for, the recognition of foreign qualifications, registration, and experience:
c: may require conveyancing practitioners, or any class of conveyancing practitioners, to undertake ongoing education relating to the law or the practice of conveyancing.
2: Practice rules made pursuant to subsection (1)﻿(c) may, without limitation,—
a: provide for the times or frequencies at which the education must be undertaken and the topics to be addressed:
b: require that particular education be undertaken, or (in addition or as an alternative) require that the education comply with specified requirements:
c: exempt, or provide for the exemption of, any conveyancing practitioner or class of conveyancing practitioner from all or any rules made under section 94 1982 No 123 s 17(2)﻿(fa)
99: Indemnity rules
1: The New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must each have practice rules concerning the indemnity of practitioners or any class of practitioners or any incorporated firms or any class of incorporated firms against claims made against them in respect of anything done or omitted by them in their professional capacity.
2: Practice rules made under subsection (1)—
a: may authorise the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or both to establish or maintain a fund or funds:
b: may authorise or require the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or both to take out and maintain insurance:
c: may require practitioners or any class of practitioners or incorporated firms or any class of incorporated firms to hold professional indemnity insurance:
d: may require that professional indemnity insurance held for the purposes of paragraph (c) be held only with insurers approved by the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, as the case may require.
3: Without prejudice to the generality of subsections (1) and (2), practice rules made under the provisions of those subsections—
a: may specify the terms and conditions upon which indemnity is to be available, and any circumstances in which the right to it is to be excluded or modified:
b: may provide for the management, administration, and protection of any fund maintained by virtue of subsection (2)﻿(a) and require practitioners or any class of practitioners or incorporated firms or any class of incorporated firms to make payments to any such fund:
c: may require practitioners or any class of practitioners or incorporated firms or any class of incorporated firms to make payments by way of premium on any insurance policy maintained by the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers by virtue of subsection (2)﻿(b):
d: may specify the minimum terms and conditions that an insurance policy must satisfy for the purposes of subsection (2)﻿(c):
e: may specify circumstances in which practitioners or any class of practitioners or incorporated firms or any class of incorporated firms are exempt from the rules or any provision of them:
f: may empower the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or both to take steps to ascertain whether the rules are being complied with:
g: may make such incidental, procedural, or supplementary provisions as are necessary to give full effect to subsections (1) and (2).
4: The New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers each has power to carry into effect any arrangements that it considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of indemnity under this section. 1982 No 123 s 17(3), (4)﻿(a), (b), (c), (h), (i), (j)
100: Consultation in relation to rules
1: This section applies to—
a: the rules made by the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers under section 81(2)﻿(a)
b: the practice rules made by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society or the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, as the case may be.
2: The rules to which this section applies must be made only after the Minister has approved, and the following people have been consulted on, the proposed rules:
a: lawyers or conveyancers, as the case may be; and
b: such other persons or groups as the Minister may direct. Section 100(2) amended 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
101: Criteria in relation to approval of practice rules by Minister
The Minister must, in deciding whether to approve any practice rules, have regard, among other things, to—
a: the fundamental obligations of the practitioners to whom the practice rules relate:
b: the principle that it may be necessary or expedient to impose duties or restrictions on practitioners in order to protect the interests of consumers:
c: the principle that the burden of a duty or restriction should be proportionate to the benefits that are expected to result from the imposition of the duty or restriction:
d: the consistency of the rules with New Zealand's international obligations:
e: the provisions of this Act and all rights and obligations of practitioners under the law.
102: Registration of practice rules
1: The Council of the New Zealand Law Society must, no later than 14 days after the day on which this Part comes into force, deliver to the Registrar of Companies at Wellington for registration a copy of its practice rules (as approved by the Minister).
2: The Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must, no later than 14 days after the day on which the whole of Part 5
a: a copy of the rules in force under section 81(2)﻿(a)
b: a copy of its practice rules (as approved by the Minister).
103: Amendment of rules
1: The Council of the New Zealand Law Society or the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers may, at any time, section 100
2: An amendment, or a revocation and replacement, may be made only after the Minister has approved, and the following people have been consulted on, the proposed amendment or revocation and replacement:
a: lawyers or conveyancers, as the case may be; and
b: such other persons or groups as the Minister may direct.
3: An instrument that amends, or revokes and replaces, rules under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 103(1) amended 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 103(2) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 103(3) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
104: Power of Minister to amend rules
1: If the Minister considers any rules to which section 100
2: Amendments made under subsection (1) to rules to which section 100 section 81(2)﻿(a)
3: The Minister, in deciding whether to make amendments under subsection (1) to any rules,—
a: must consult the council by which the rules were made; and
b: may consult such other persons or groups as the Minister thinks fit.
4: An instrument that amends rules under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 104(4) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
105: Registration of amendments to rules
1: The Council of the New Zealand Law Society or the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must,
a: passing any amendment to any rules to which section 100
b: revoking any rules to which section 100 deliver to the Registrar of Companies at Wellington for registration a copy of the amendment (as approved by the Minister) or a copy of its new rules (as approved by the Minister).
2: If any rules are amended by the Minister under section 104
3: Subsection (1) or (2) must be complied with no later than 14 days after the instrument that amends or revokes and replaces the rules is published under the Legislation Act 2019 Section 105(1) amended 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 105(2) amended 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 105(3) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
106: Application of Legislation Act 2012 to rules
Section 106 repealed 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
107: Effect of practice rules
1: The practice rules of the New Zealand Law Society are binding on all lawyers and former lawyers, whether or not they are members of the New Zealand Law Society, and on all incorporated law firms and former incorporated law firms,
2: The practice rules of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers are binding on all conveyancing practitioners and former conveyancing practitioners, whether or not they are members of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, but are not binding on other persons.
3: No partnership deed, employment agreement, or other legal arrangement governing the manner in which a practitioner is in practice, business, or employment may require a practitioner to act in breach of the practice rules and any part of a deed, condition of employment, agreement, or other legal arrangement that purports to require such conduct is void. Section 107(1) amended 4 August 2008 section 10 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008
108: Regulations in relation to practitioners
1: The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations providing for any of the matters in respect of which rules to which section 100
2: Regulations made under subsection (1) have general effect and are binding not only on practitioners and former practitioners but also on other persons to whom they apply.
3: So far as any rules to which section 100 section 119(1)
4: Regulations under this section are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 108(4) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Investigations
109: Investigation of affairs of practices
1: The New Zealand Law Society may, at any time, appoint a person—
a: to examine from time to time the accounts of lawyers or firms of lawyers or incorporated law firms; and
b: to furnish to the Society confidential reports—
i: as to any irregularity in the accounts of any lawyer or firm of lawyers or incorporated law firm that may be disclosed by any examination conducted under paragraph (a); and
ii: as to any other matter that, in the opinion of the person so appointed, should be reported upon or further investigated.
2: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers may, at any time, appoint a person—
a: to examine from time to time the accounts of conveyancing practitioners or firms of conveyancing practitioners or incorporated conveyancing firms; and
b: to furnish to the Society confidential reports—
i: as to any irregularity in the accounts of any conveyancing practitioner or firm of conveyancing practitioners or incorporated conveyancing firm that may be disclosed by any examination conducted under paragraph (a); and
ii: as to any other matter that, in the opinion of the person so appointed, should be reported upon or further investigated.
3: A person may be appointed under subsection (1) or subsection (2) only if he or she is—
a: an officer or member of the Society by which the appointment is made; or
b: a qualified statutory accountant (within the meaning of section 5(1)
c: in the case of an appointment to be made under subsection (1), a person who holds office as an inspector appointed to the Law Society inspectorate; or
d: in the case of an appointment to be made under subsection (2), a person who holds office as an inspector appointed to the Conveyancers Society inspectorate.
4: An appointment made under subsection (1) or subsection (2) must be in writing.
5: Schedule 2 1982 No 123 s 85(1), (2) Section 109(3)﻿(b) amended 1 July 2015 section 17 Financial Reporting Amendment Act 2014 Trust accounts
110: Obligation to pay money received into trust account at bank
1: A practitioner who, in the course of his or her practice, receives money for, or on behalf of, any person—
a: must ensure that the money is paid promptly into a bank in New Zealand to a general or separate trust account of—
i: the practitioner; or
ii: a person who, or body that, is, in relation to the practitioner, a related person or entity; and
b: must hold the money, or ensure that the money is held, exclusively for that person, to be paid to that person or as that person directs.
2: An incorporated firm that, in the course of its practice, receives money for, or on behalf of, any person—
a: must ensure that the money is paid promptly into a bank in New Zealand to a general or separate trust account of the firm; and
b: must hold the money, or ensure that the money is held, exclusively for that person, to be paid to that person or as that person directs.
3: For the purposes of this section, a practitioner or an incorporated firm is deemed to have received money belonging to another person if—
a: that person, or a bank or other agency acting for, or on behalf of, that person, deposits funds by means of a telegraphic or electronic transfer of funds into the bank account of—
i: the practitioner or incorporated firm; or
ii: a person who, or body that, is, in relation to the practitioner, a related person or entity; or
b: the practitioner or incorporated firm takes control of money belonging to that person.
4: A person commits an offence against this Act and is liable on 1982 No 123 s 89(1), (3) Section 110(4) amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
111: Obligation to account for trust money and valuable property
1: If, in the course of the practice of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, the practitioner, a related person or entity, or the incorporated firm receives or holds money or other valuable property on behalf of any person, the practitioner, related person or entity, or incorporated firm must account properly for the money or other valuable property to the person on whose behalf the money or other valuable property is held.
2: A person commits an offence against this Act and is liable on SR 1998/17 r 3(1)﻿(a) Section 111(2) amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
112: Obligation to keep records in respect of trust accounts and valuable property
1: If, in the course of the practice of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, the practitioner, a related person or entity, or the incorporated firm receives or holds money or other valuable property in trust on behalf of any person, the practitioner, related person or entity, or incorporated firm—
a: must, in relation to the money, keep trust account records that disclose clearly the position of the money in the trust accounts of the practitioner, related person or entity, or incorporated firm; and
b: must, in relation to other valuable property, keep records that—
i: describe the property received or held; and
ii: show the date on which the property was received; and
iii: if the property has been disposed of, give details of the disposition of the property, including the date on which, and the person to whom, the property was disposed of; and
c: must keep the records required by this section in such a manner as to enable those records to be conveniently and properly audited or inspected.
2: Subsection (1) does not apply to a person (being a practitioner, related person or entity, or incorporated firm)—
a: who does not provide regulated services; or
b: who, in the course of providing regulated services, does not, on that person's own behalf or in his or her capacity as a director or shareholder of an incorporated firm, do any of the following:
i: receive or hold money or other valuable property in trust for any other person:
ii: invest money for any other person:
iii: have a trust account:
iv: receive fees or disbursements in advance of an invoice being issued.
3: A person commits an offence against this Act and is liable on SR 1998/17 r 3(1)﻿(b), (2)﻿(a) Section 112(3) amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
113: Protection of money received
1: No money to which section 110(1) or (2)
2: Nothing in section 110 1982 No 123 s 89(2), (4)
114: Duty of practitioners to ensure that funds earn interest
It is the duty of every practitioner and of every related person or entity and of every incorporated firm to ensure that, wherever practicable, all money held on behalf of any person by that practitioner, related person or entity, or incorporated firm earns interest for the benefit of that person, unless—
a: that person instructs otherwise; or
b: it is not reasonable or practicable (whether because of the smallness of the amount, the shortness of the period for which the practitioner, related person or entity, or incorporated firm is to hold the money, or for any other reason) for the practitioner, related person or entity, or incorporated firm to invest the money, at the direction of the person for whom the money is held, so that interest is payable on it for the benefit of that person. 1982 No 123 s 89A
115: Regulations relating to trust accounts
1: The Governor-General may, from time to time, by Order in Council, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
a: regulating the use and audit of trust accounts of practitioners and of related persons or entities and of incorporated firms, and prescribing the duties of practitioners and of related persons or entities and of incorporated firms in regard to trust accounts:
b: prohibiting or regulating the collection of money of a client by a lawyer or class of person connected with a lawyer or an incorporated law firm:
c: regulating the lending of money of a client by a practitioner or class of person connected with a practitioner or incorporated firm:
d: prohibiting or regulating the borrowing of money of a client by a practitioner or class of person connected with a practitioner or incorporated firm:
e: regulating the receipt, banking, payment, investment, and recording of money and other valuable property entrusted to practitioners, related persons or entities, or incorporated firms:
f: requiring the keeping of registers of properties, authorities, and appointments held by practitioners and related persons or entities and incorporated firms:
g: requiring that a practitioner who intends to set up on his or her own account or to become a director or shareholder of an incorporated firm, or who manages or administers trust accounts, must undertake training in trust account management and in the obligations of lawyers or conveyancing practitioners or incorporated firms, as the case may require, in relation to trust accounts:
h: prescribing the duties of persons appointed under section 109
i: establishing a scheme for the protection of money entrusted to practitioners, related persons or entities, or incorporated firms:
j: providing for the establishment of an inspectorate by the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or by both:
k: prescribing functions, duties, rights, and powers of the Law Society inspectorate or the Conveyancers Society inspectorate or both:
l: authorising any inspector appointed to the Law Society inspectorate or the Conveyancers Society inspectorate to delegate any function, duty, right, or power conferred on that inspector in his or her capacity as a member of the inspectorate (other than the power of delegation):
m: providing for payment by lawyers and by related persons or entities and by incorporated law firms of fees and costs of the Law Society inspectorate:
n: providing for payment by conveyancing practitioners and by related persons or entities and by incorporated conveyancing firms of fees and costs of the Conveyancers Society inspectorate:
o: authorising any auditor or the Law Society inspectorate or the Conveyancers Society inspectorate to communicate directly, for the purpose of establishing whether the regulations have been complied with,—
i: with clients of lawyers and with related persons or entities; and
ii: with clients of incorporated law firms; and
iii: with clients of conveyancing practitioners and with related persons or entities; and
iv: with clients of incorporated conveyancing firms; and
v: with other persons:
p: prescribing the persons to whom the reports of auditors must be sent for inspection, information, or record:
q: prescribing the persons to whom written communications between the auditor or inspector and the lawyer or incorporated law firm and between the auditor or inspector and any person who, or body that, is, in relation to the lawyer, a related person or entity may be disclosed:
r: prescribing the persons to whom written communications between the auditor or inspector and the conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm and between the auditor or inspector and any person who, or body which, is, in relation to the conveyancing practitioner, a related person or entity may be disclosed:
s: providing that a practitioner, a related person or entity, an incorporated firm, an auditor, the Law Society inspectorate, and the Conveyancers Society inspectorate are subject to an obligation not to divulge, otherwise than as prescribed, any matter of which the practitioner, the related person or entity, the incorporated firm, the auditor, or the inspectorate is informed in the course of an audit, review, or inspection, and are also subject to the like liability in damages to a client of the practitioner, the related person or entity, or the incorporated firm as the practitioner or the incorporated firm would be if the practitioner, related person or entity, or incorporated firm divulged any such matter:
t: prescribing fees or costs, or scales of fees or costs, to be paid to auditors, or the Law Society inspectorate or the Conveyancers Society inspectorate, or providing for the determination of the amounts of such fees or costs in such manner as may be prescribed; and providing that the Law Society inspectorate or the Conveyancers Society inspectorate may charge fees for performing any of their respective functions:
u: prescribing the circumstances (if any) in which, and the conditions subject to which, any trust account may be kept in a name other than that by which the client is usually known; and requiring trust accounts to be kept in all other circumstances in the names by which the clients are usually known:
v: requiring practitioners and related persons or entities and incorporated firms to keep registers of documents and information:
w: requiring practitioners, related persons or entities, incorporated firms, banks, and other persons to supply (either at specified times or upon request) to auditors, the Law Society inspectorate, the Conveyancers Society inspectorate, the New Zealand Law Society, or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers such information and returns as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the regulations:
x: prescribing offences in respect of the contravention of or non-compliance with any regulations made under this section, and the amounts of the fines that may be imposed in respect of any such offences, not exceeding $25,000 in respect of any offence:
y: prescribing generally such requirements as may be necessary to ensure that trust accounts are duly kept, and that persons beneficially entitled to money and securities held by practitioners, related persons or entities, or incorporated firms on trust are informed of the money and securities held and of the investment of any such money or securities.
2: Regulations under this section are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 ss 17(2)﻿(e)–(f) 91(1)﻿(a)–(f), (i)–(n), (q)–(s), (v), (w) The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 115(2) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
116: Provisions relating to regulations relating to trust accounts
1: In section 115 client
2: In section 115 class of person connected with a practitioner or incorporated firm
a: in relation to a practitioner,—
i: a spouse or partner or child of the practitioner; and
ii: any nominee of the practitioner; and
iii: any company registered under the Companies Act 1993
iv: any other incorporated or unincorporated body of which the principal financial benefit or effective control is directly or indirectly vested in the practitioner or any spouse or partner or child or children or nominee of the practitioner; and
b: in relation to an incorporated firm,—
i: a spouse or partner or child of a person who is a director or shareholder of the firm; and
ii: any nominee of the firm or of a person who is a director or shareholder of the firm; and
iii: any company registered under the Companies Act 1993
iv: any other incorporated or unincorporated body of which the principal financial benefit or effective control is directly or indirectly vested in the firm or any spouse or partner or child or children or nominee of a person who is a director or shareholder of the firm.
3: In subsection (2), partner
4: Regulations made under section 115(g)
a: provide that the training must be undertaken at specified times or frequencies, or in specified circumstances:
b: require that a particular course or courses be undertaken, or (in addition, or as an alternative) require that the training comply with specified requirements or be provided by a particular agency or agencies:
c: provide that satisfactory results from assessment or examination be required as part of training:
d: exempt, or provide for the exemption of, any lawyer or class of lawyer or any conveyancing practitioner or class of conveyancing practitioner or any other person or class of person from all or any regulations made under section 115(g)
e: provide that fees may be charged to any person applying for or undertaking the training required by regulations made under section 115(g)
5: Regulations made under section 115 New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants Act 1996
6: Without prejudice to subsection (5), wilful failure to comply with any regulations made under section 115 1982 No 123 ss 17(2)﻿(ea) 91(2)–(5) Section 116(5) amended 7 July 2010 section 10 New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants Amendment Act 2010 Barristers Heading amended 3 December 2012 section 5 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
117: Status of barristers
Subject to this Act, barristers of the High Court have all the powers, privileges, duties, and responsibilities that barristers have at law. 1982 No 123 s 61
118: Office or rank of Queen's Counsel
The office or rank that before 1 August 2008 was known in New Zealand as Queen's Counsel, and that from the close of 31 July 2008 to the close of 2 December 2012 was renamed as Senior Counsel, is on and after 3 December 2012 again to be known in New Zealand as Queen's Counsel. Section 118 replaced 3 December 2012 section 6 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
118A: Eligibility for appointment
1: A person who holds a current practising certificate authorising him or her to practise as a barrister and not as a barrister and solicitor is eligible for appointment, under the Royal prerogative, as a Queen's Counsel if he or she (whether or not he or she is a statutory officer)—
a: practises, and in the course of his or her practice provides regulated services, alone (that is, not in partnership with any other lawyer); and
b: is not actively involved in the provision by an incorporated law firm (other than one in which he or she is the only voting shareholder) of regulated services; and
c: is not an employee (other than an employee of an incorporated law firm in which he or she is the only voting shareholder) who, in the course of his or her employment, provides regulated services.
2: Nothing in this section, section 118B section 119 section 119C(1) and (2)
a: a person who is not in the category in subsection (1)
b: a person who is appointed otherwise than in accordance with regulations under section 119(1)﻿(a) and (b) section 119(2)﻿(b)
c: a person who does not possess all or any of the qualifications and experience that guidelines of the kind specified in section 119(2)﻿(a) Section 118A inserted 3 December 2012 section 6 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
118B: Restrictions on practice of specified category of lawyers who hold rank
1: A person who holds the rank of Queen's Counsel, and who when appointed to that rank was in the category in section 118A(1)
a: must not practise, or in the course of his or her practice provide regulated services, as a barrister and solicitor, or in partnership with any other lawyer; and
b: must not be actively involved in the provision by an incorporated law firm (other than one in which he or she is the only voting shareholder) of regulated services; and
c: must not be an employee (other than an employee of an incorporated law firm in which he or she is the only voting shareholder) who, in the course of his or her employment, provides regulated services; but
d: is not precluded, by reason only of the fact that he or she holds that rank, from being a statutory officer.
2: Subsection (1) is subject to sections 118C(5) 118D(4)
3: A person who is subject to, and who contravenes, subsection (1) must be treated as having surrendered at the time of the contravention the rank of Queen's Counsel. Section 118B inserted 3 December 2012 section 6 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
118C: Queen's Counsel appointed before 1 August 2008
1: This section applies to a person who at the close of 31 July 2008 held, and at the close of 2 December 2012 continued to hold, the rank of Queen's Counsel for New Zealand.
2: If, after 31 July 2008 and under section 118(5) section 6
a: may continue to use, in relation to himself or herself, those words and that abbreviation; or
b: may use instead, in relation to himself or herself, the words Queen's Counsel and the abbreviation QC.
3: The precedence to which the person is entitled is not affected by sections 118 to 119C section 6
4: The following apply to the person in the same way as they apply to a Queen's Counsel appointed to that rank after 2 December 2012:
a: sections 118B 119A 119B
b: any regulations made under section 119(1)﻿(c) and (e) to (g)
5: Despite subsection (4)﻿(a), section 118B section 118D(4) 1 April 2010 section 118(2)﻿(b) section 6
a: practised, or in the course of his or her practice provided regulated services, as a barrister and solicitor, or in partnership with any other lawyer; or
b: was actively involved in the provision by an incorporated law firm (other than one in which he or she is the only voting shareholder) of regulated services; or
c: was an employee (other than an employee of an incorporated law firm in which he or she is the only voting shareholder) who, in the course of his or her employment, provided regulated services; or
d: was a statutory officer.
6: Subsections (3), (4), and (5) apply to the person whether or not after 2 December 2012 and under subsection (2) he or she uses, in relation to himself or herself, the words Senior Counsel and the abbreviation SC. Section 118C inserted 3 December 2012 section 6 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
118D: Senior Counsel appointed after 31 July 2008 and before 3 December 2012
1: This section applies to a person who after 31 July 2008 was appointed to, and at the close of 2 December 2012 continued to hold, the rank of Senior Counsel for New Zealand.
2: After 2 December 2012, the person—
a: may continue to use, in relation to himself or herself, the words Senior Counsel and the abbreviation SC; or
b: may instead use, in relation to himself or herself, the words Queen's Counsel and the abbreviation QC.
3: The precedence to which the person is entitled is not affected by sections 118 to 119C section 6
4: After 2 December 2012, the person is not precluded, by reason only of the fact that he or she holds that rank,—
a: from practising, or in the course of his or her practice providing regulated services, either as a barrister or as a barrister and solicitor, or either alone or in partnership with any other lawyer; or
b: from being actively involved in the provision by an incorporated law firm (other than one in which he or she is the only voting shareholder) of regulated services; or
c: from being an employee (other than an employee of an incorporated law firm in which he or she is the only voting shareholder) who, in the course of his or her employment, provides regulated services; or
d: from being a statutory officer.
5: The following apply to the person in the same way as they apply to a Queen's Counsel appointed to that rank after 2 December 2012:
a: sections 119A 119B
b: any regulations made under section 119(1)﻿(c) and (e) to (g)
6: Subsections (3), (4), and (5) apply to the person whether or not after 2 December 2012 and under subsection (2) he or she uses, in relation to himself or herself, the words Queen's Counsel and the abbreviation QC. Section 118D inserted 3 December 2012 section 6 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
119: Regulations relating to Queen's Counsel
1: The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations (not inconsistent with this Act) prescribing—
a: the process by which candidates may be recommended to the Governor-General for appointment, by letters patent, under the Royal prerogative as Queen's Counsel:
b: the fees to be paid by candidates for appointment as Queen's Counsel:
c: the privileges and duties of Queen's Counsel:
d: the conditions on or subject to which candidates may be appointed as Queen's Counsel:
e: the conditions on or subject to which Queen's Counsel may practise their profession:
f: the precedence that Queen's Counsel are to have in the courts of New Zealand:
g: such other matters as may be necessary in relation to Queen's Counsel.
2: Regulations made under subsection (1) may authorise the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General to issue guidelines (not inconsistent with this Act or any regulations of that kind) in relation to both—
a: the qualifications and experience that should be possessed by candidates for appointment as Queen's Counsel; and
b: the process by which such candidates may be recommended for appointment.
3: Regulations under this section are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 119 replaced 3 December 2012 section 6 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 119(3) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
119A: Other ways of ceasing to hold rank
1: A person who holds the rank of Queen's Counsel ceases to hold that rank if—
a: he or she is suspended from practice as a barrister or as a solicitor or as both (even if the suspension is only until a charge against the person has been heard and disposed of by the Disciplinary Tribunal); or
b: his or her name is struck off the roll.
2: Nothing in sections 118 to 119C section 6 Section 119A inserted 3 December 2012 section 6 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
119B: Style of rank if Sovereign for time being is King
1: If the Sovereign for the time being is a King,—
a: every reference to Queen's Counsel in a provision to which this paragraph applies is, unless the context otherwise requires, to be read as a reference to King's Counsel; and
b: the words and abbreviation that a lawyer who holds the rank of Queen's Counsel are to use, if he or she wishes, in relation to himself or herself, are King's Counsel and KC.
2: Subsection (1)﻿(a) applies to—
a: provisions in this Act (other than in subsection (1) or in section 118C(1)
b: provisions in (or in any guidelines issued under) any regulations made under section 119(1) Section 119B inserted 3 December 2012 section 6 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
119C: Royal prerogative power to appoint unaffected
1: Sections 118A 118B section 118A(1) section 118B
2: The powers conferred by section 119 Section 119C inserted 3 December 2012 section 6 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
7: Complaints and discipline
120: Purposes
1: The first purpose of this Part is to provide a framework in relation to complaints and discipline.
2: The framework is, in relation to complaints, to be—
a: one that relates to complaints about—
i: lawyers and former lawyers; and
ii: incorporated law firms and former incorporated law firms; and
iii: persons who are not practitioners but who are employees or former employees of lawyers and incorporated law firms; and
iv: conveyancing practitioners and former conveyancing practitioners; and
v: incorporated conveyancing firms and former incorporated conveyancing firms; and
vi: persons who are not practitioners but who are employees or former employees of conveyancing practitioners and incorporated conveyancing firms; and
b: one within which complaints of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) may be processed and resolved expeditiously and, in appropriate cases, by negotiation, conciliation, or mediation.
3: The framework is, in relation to discipline, to be one within which disciplinary charges against persons of the kinds described in subparagraphs (i) to (vi) of subsection (2)﻿(a) may be heard and determined expeditiously.
4: The second purpose of this Part is to require the New Zealand Law Society to make, in relation to persons of the kinds described in subparagraphs (i) to (iii) of subsection (2)﻿(a), rules necessary for the purposes of the framework referred to in this section.
5: The third purpose of this Part is to require the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to make, in relation to persons of the kinds described in subparagraphs (iv) to (vi) of subsection (2)﻿(a), rules necessary for the purposes of the framework referred to in this section.
6: The fourth purpose of this Part is to preserve the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court to strike off the roll and discipline lawyers in their capacity as officers of the High Court. Complaints service
121: Obligation to establish complaints service
1: The New Zealand Law Society must establish a complaints service to receive complaints about—
a: lawyers and former lawyers; and
b: incorporated law firms and former incorporated law firms; and
c: employees and former employees of lawyers and incorporated law firms.
2: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must establish a complaints service to receive complaints about—
a: conveyancing practitioners and former conveyancing practitioners; and
b: incorporated conveyancing firms and former incorporated conveyancing firms; and
c: employees and former employees of conveyancing practitioners and incorporated conveyancing firms.
122: Rules
1: The New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must each make and maintain practice rules governing the operation of the complaints service established by it.
2: The rules governing the operation of a complaints service must be designed to ensure, as far as is practicable, that all complaints received by the complaints service (whether they are about service, costs, conduct, or any other matter) are dealt with in a fair, efficient, and effective manner.
3: Practice rules under this section are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 122(3) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
123: Administration of complaints service
Each complaints service—
a: must be administered in accordance with both—
i: this Act; and
ii: the rules governing the operation of the complaints service; and
b: must deal, in a fair, efficient, and effective manner, with all complaints received by the complaints service (whether they are about service, costs, conduct, or any other matter).
124: Functions of New Zealand Law Society in relation to complaints service
The functions of the New Zealand Law Society, in administering the complaints service established by it under section 121(1)
a: to ensure that places are provided at which complaints about lawyers and other persons who belong to the classes of persons described in section 121(1)﻿(a) to (c)
b: to give appropriate publicity both to the places at which complaints about lawyers and other persons who belong to the classes of persons described in section 121(1)﻿(a) to (c)
c: to publish information with a view to making it known that complaints about lawyers and other persons who belong to the classes of persons described in section 121(1)﻿(a) to (c)
d: to enter into contracts, on behalf of the New Zealand Law Society, with persons who provide services to, or are employed to assist, Lawyers Standards Committees:
e: to ensure throughout New Zealand both the consistency and the quality of the complaints service:
f: to provide assistance to Lawyers Standards Committees and to the office of each such committee:
g: to provide to the Legal Complaints Review Officer copies of any complaints that the New Zealand Law Society receives about the operation of the complaints service:
h: to ensure that decisions of Lawyers Standards Committees, the Legal Complaints Review Officer, and the Disciplinary Tribunal are enforced.
125: Functions of New Zealand Society of Conveyancers in relation to complaints service
The functions of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, in administering the complaints service established by it under section 121(2)
a: to ensure that places are provided at which complaints about conveyancing practitioners and other persons who belong to the classes of persons described in section 121(2)﻿(a) to (c)
b: to give appropriate publicity both to the places at which complaints about conveyancing practitioners and other persons who belong to the classes of persons described in section 121(2)﻿(a) to (c)
c: to publish information with a view to making it known that complaints about conveyancing practitioners and other persons who belong to the classes of persons described in section 121(2)﻿(a) to (c)
d: to enter into contracts, on behalf of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, with persons who provide services to, or are employed to assist, Conveyancing Practitioners Standards Committees:
e: to ensure throughout New Zealand both the consistency and the quality of the complaints service:
f: to provide assistance to Conveyancing Practitioners Standards Committees and to the office of each such committee:
g: to provide to the Legal Complaints Review Officer copies of any complaints that the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers receives about the operation of the complaints service:
h: to ensure that decisions of Conveyancing Practitioners Standards Committees, the Legal Complaints Review Officer, and the Disciplinary Tribunal are enforced. Standards Committees
126: Lawyers Standards Committees
1: The New Zealand Law Society must, by practice rules, establish 1 or more Lawyers Standards Committees as part of its complaints service.
2: The members of each Lawyers Standards Committee are to be appointed by the New Zealand Law Society.
127: Conveyancing Practitioners Standards Committees
1: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must, by practice rules, establish 1 or more Conveyancers Standards Committees as part of its complaints service.
2: The members of each Conveyancers Standards Committee are to be appointed by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.
128: Notice to Minister
1: Where the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers appoints any person as a member of a Standards Committee, it must, within 21 days after making the appointment, give to the Minister a written notice setting out particulars of the appointment.
2: Those particulars must include—
a: particulars of the committee in respect of which the appointment has been made; and
b: the name and address of the person appointed; and
c: the period for which the person has been appointed.
129: Membership of Standards Committees
1: Each Standards Committee is to consist of at least 3 persons.
2: At least 1 member of each Standards Committee must be a lay member.
3: Subject to subsections (1) and (2), each Standards Committee is to consist of such number of persons as is specified in the rules by which that committee is established.
4: Subject to the provisions of this section, the rules establishing a Standards Committee must prescribe—
a: the constitution and proceedings of the committee; and
b: the mode of appointment and tenure of office of the members of the committee (other than the lay member or lay members); and
c: the mode of appointment and the tenure of office of the lay member or lay members of the committee; and
d: the criteria that must be applied in appointing the members of the committee (other than the lay member or lay members); and
e: the procedure to be followed, and the criteria to be applied, in selecting any person for appointment as a lay member of the committee; and
f: the procedure for the filling of vacancies in the membership of the committee; and
g: the circumstances in which a member of the committee may be removed from office.
130: Functions of Standards Committees
The functions of each Standards Committee are (subject to any limitations imposed on the committee by or under this Act or the rules that govern the operation of the committee)—
a: to inquire into and investigate complaints made under section 132
b: to promote, in appropriate cases, the resolution of complaints by negotiation, conciliation, or mediation:
c: to investigate of its own motion any act, omission, allegation, practice, or other matter that appears to indicate that there may have been misconduct or unsatisfactory conduct on the part of a practitioner or any other person who belongs to any of the classes of persons described in section 121
d: to intervene, in the circumstances prescribed by this Act, in the affairs of practitioners or former practitioners or incorporated firms:
e: to make final determinations in relation to complaints:
f: to lay, and prosecute, charges before the Disciplinary Tribunal.
131: Rules relating to Standards Committees
The rules governing the operation of a Standards Committee must include, but are not limited to,—
a: rules providing details of the procedures to be followed in relation to complaints:
b: rules specifying the manner in which a Standards Committee is to exercise its functions and powers:
c: rules providing for—
i: the publication of information relating to the existence of the complaints service; and
ii: the means by which a person may gain access to the complaints service; and
iii: the means by which a complaint may be made:
d: rules providing for the publication of information regarding the outcomes and the performance of the complaints service:
e: rules specifying the criteria that will apply in relation to a complaint about a bill of costs, which criteria may provide that a complaint is not to be dealt with unless the bill of costs to which the complaint relates is for a sum that exceeds an amount specified in the rules:
f: rules specifying the circumstances in which the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or a Standards Committee may publish the identity of a person who has been censured by a Standards Committee. Complaints
132: Complaints about practitioners, incorporated firms, and their employees
1: Any person may complain to the appropriate complaints service about—
a: the conduct—
i: of a practitioner or former practitioner; or
ii: of an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm; or
iii: of a person who is not a practitioner but who is an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm; or
b: the standard of the service provided, in relation to the delivery of regulated services,—
i: by a practitioner or former practitioner; or
ii: by an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm; or
iii: by a person who is not a practitioner but who is an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm; or
c: the alleged failure of a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm, or an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, to comply, within a specified time or a reasonable time, with any order or final determination made under this Act by a Standards Committee or the Legal Complaints Review Officer.
2: Any person who is chargeable with a bill of costs, whether it has been paid or not, may complain to the appropriate complaints service about the amount of any bill of costs rendered by a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm (being a bill of costs that meets the criteria specified in the rules governing the operation of the Standards Committee that has the function of dealing with the complaint).
3: Nothing in subsection (2) limits the provisions of sections 160 161 1982 No 123 ss 98(1) 145(1)
133: Complaint of failure to comply with order or final determination
1: A complaint that a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm, or an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, has failed to comply with an order or final determination of a Standards Committee may not be made under section 132(1)﻿(c)
a: in any case in which an application for the review of the order or determination has been lodged with the Legal Complaints Review Officer within the time allowed, that application has not been disposed of; or
b: in any other case, the time allowed for the lodging with the Legal Complaints Review Officer of an application for the review of the order or determination has not expired.
2: For the purposes of section 132(1)﻿(c)
134: Complaint to be in writing
A complaint is made by giving written notice of the complaint to the appropriate complaints service.
135: Appropriate complaints service
1: If the complaint relates to a lawyer or former lawyer or an incorporated law firm or former incorporated law firm, or an employee or former employee of a lawyer or incorporated law firm, the appropriate complaints service, for the purposes of sections 132 134 section 121(1)
2: If the complaint relates to a conveyancing practitioner or former conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or a former incorporated conveyancing practitioner, or an employee or former employee of a conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm, the appropriate complaints service, for the purposes of sections 132 134 section 121(2)
136: Complaint by Law Society or Society of Conveyancers
Without limiting the right of any person to make a complaint under section 132
a: a member of the council of the New Zealand Law Society or a person acting on its behalf; or
b: a member of the council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or a person acting on its behalf.
137: Action on receipt of complaint
1: A Standards Committee, on receiving a complaint, may—
a: inquire into the complaint; or
b: give a direction under section 143
c: decide, in accordance with section 138
2: A Standards Committee that receives a complaint must, as soon as practicable, advise the complainant and the person to whom the complaint relates of the procedure that the Standards Committee proposes to adopt under subsection (1). 1993 No 28 s 70
138: Decision to take no action on complaint
1: A Standards Committee may, in its discretion, decide to take no action or, as the case may require, no further action, on any complaint if, in the opinion of the Standards Committee,—
a: the length of time that has elapsed between the date when the subject matter of the complaint arose and the date when the complaint was made is such that an investigation of the complaint is no longer practicable or desirable; or
b: the subject matter of the complaint is trivial; or
c: the complaint is frivolous or vexatious or is not made in good faith; or
d: the person alleged to be aggrieved does not desire that action be taken or, as the case may be, continued; or
e: the complainant does not have sufficient personal interest in the subject matter of the complaint; or
f: there is in all the circumstances an adequate remedy or right of appeal, other than the right to petition the House of Representatives or to make a complaint to an Ombudsman, that it would be reasonable for the person aggrieved to exercise.
2: Despite anything in subsection (1), a Standards Committee may, in its discretion, decide not to take any further action on a complaint if, in the course of the investigation of the complaint, it appears to the Standards Committee that, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, any further action is unnecessary or inappropriate. 1993 No 28 s 71(1), (2)
139: Notice of decision
1: In any case where a Standards Committee decides to take no action, or no further action, on a complaint, the Standards Committee must forthwith give written notice of that decision to—
a: the complainant; and
b: the person to whom the complaint relates; and
c: either—
i: the New Zealand Law Society (if the complaint relates to a lawyer or former lawyer or an incorporated law firm or former incorporated law firm, or an employee or former employee of a lawyer or incorporated law firm); or
ii: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers (if the complaint relates to a conveyancing practitioner or former conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or former incorporated conveyancing firm, or an employee or former employee of a conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm).
2: The notice must—
a: state the decision and the reasons for it; and
b: describe the right of review conferred by section 193
c: state the period within which an application for a review of the decision may be lodged (which period is prescribed by section 198(b) 1993 No 28 s 71(3)
140: Inquiry by Standards Committee
If a Standards Committee decides to inquire into a complaint, it must inquire into it as soon as practicable. 1982 No 123 s 101(1)
141: Notice to person to whom complaint or inquiry relates
The Standards Committee—
a: must send particulars of the complaint or matter to the person to whom the complaint or inquiry relates, and invite that person to make a written explanation in relation to the complaint or matter:
b: may require the person complained against to appear before it to make an explanation in relation to the complaint or matter:
c: may, by written notice served on the person complained against, request that specified information be supplied to the Standards Committee in writing. 1982 No 123 s 101(3)﻿(a), (b), (e)
142: Procedure of Standards Committee
1: A Standards Committee must exercise and perform its duties, powers, and functions in a way that is consistent with the rules of natural justice.
2: A Standards Committee may, subject to subsection (1), direct such publication of its decisions under sections 138 152 156 157
3: Subject to this Act and to any rules made under this Act, a Standards Committee may regulate its procedure in such manner as it thinks fit.
143: Negotiation, conciliation, and mediation
1: A Standards Committee may give, in relation to any complaint received by it, a direction that, within a time or before a date fixed by the Standards Committee, the parties both—
a: explore the possibility of resolving, by negotiation, conciliation, or mediation,—
i: the complaint; or
ii: such issues relating to the complaint as the Standards Committee specifies; and
b: report to the Standards Committee.
2: A Standards Committee must not give a direction under subsection (1) if it considers that such a direction—
a: would not contribute constructively to resolving the complaint; or
b: would not, in all the circumstances, be in the public interest; or
c: would undermine the urgent nature of the complaint.
3: If a complaint involves an issue of misconduct or unsatisfactory conduct, a Standards Committee may deal with, or continue to deal with, that complaint despite—
a: any direction given under subsection (1); and
b: any negotiation, conciliation, or mediation in relation to the complaint or any issue involved in the complaint; and
c: any settlement agreed by the parties to the complaint.
4: If the parties reach an agreed settlement in relation to the complaint or any issue involved in the complaint, the Standards Committee—
a: may record the terms of the settlement; and
b: may, by consent of the parties, declare all or some of the terms of the settlement to be all or part of a final determination of the complaint by the Standards Committee.
5: No evidence is admissible in any court or before any person acting judicially or before a Standards Committee or before the Legal Complaints Review Officer or the Disciplinary Tribunal of any information, statement, or admission disclosed or made to any person in the course of any negotiation, conciliation, or mediation conducted, pursuant to a direction given under subsection (1), for the purpose of resolving a complaint or any issue involved in a complaint.
6: Nothing in this section prevents the discovery or affects the admissibility of any evidence (being evidence which is otherwise discoverable or admissible and which existed independently of any negotiation, conciliation, or mediation conducted pursuant to a direction given under subsection (1) for the purpose of resolving a complaint or any issue involved in a complaint) merely because the evidence was presented in the course of the negotiation, conciliation, or mediation.
144: Power to appoint investigators
1: The New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or a Standards Committee (acting within the terms of any authority given by either of those societies) may, from time to time, appoint 1 or more persons to act as investigators in relation to—
a: complaints and matters being inquired into by a Standards Committee; or
b: any particular complaint or matter being inquired into by a Standards Committee.
2: Every appointment under subsection (1) is to be made on such terms and conditions, including terms and conditions as to salary, fees, or expenses as the body making the appointment considers appropriate.
3: Every person appointed under subsection (1) must meet the criteria prescribed, in respect of appointments under that subsection, by practice rules made by the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, as the case may require.
4: Any appointment made under subsection (1) may, at any time, be revoked in accordance with practice rules made by the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, as the case may require.
145: Instrument of appointment
1: The body effecting an appointment under section 144(1)
2: The instrument must be signed by at least 2 members of—
a: the Council of the New Zealand Law Society; or
b: the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers; or
c: a Standards Committee.
3: The production by any person of the instrument of appointment supplied to that person under subsection (1) is sufficient proof of that person's authority to act as an investigator appointed under this Act.
4: Every person appointed as an investigator under this Act must, if so required, produce the instrument of appointment supplied to that person under subsection (1) before exercising any power under section 147
5: Every person appointed as an investigator under this Act must, on the termination of his or her appointment, surrender to the body by which he or she was appointed the instrument of appointment supplied to that person under subsection (1). 1982 No 123 s 85(1), (2)
146: Investigations by investigators
1: A Standards Committee may, for the purpose of inquiring into any complaint or matter, require an investigator appointed under section 144(1)
a: to inquire into the complaint or matter and any matters related to, or arising from, the complaint or matter; and
b: to furnish to the Standards Committee a report on the complaint or matter and any such related matters.
2: The investigator may, in inquiring into, and reporting on, the complaint or matter and any such related matters,—
a: examine (among other things) any accounts (including trust accounts) kept—
i: by a practitioner or former practitioner; or
ii: by a person who, or body that, is or was, in relation to a practitioner, a related person or entity; or
iii: by an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm; and
b: state (among other things), in his or her report, the investigator's opinion on the question whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a breach of any of the provisions of this Act or the practice rules has been committed—
i: by a practitioner or former practitioner; or
ii: by a person who, or body that, is, or was, in relation to a practitioner, a related person or entity; or
iii: by an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm; or
iv: by a person who is not a practitioner but who is an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm.
147: Powers of investigation
1: In this section, source of information
a: a practitioner or former practitioner:
b: a person who, or body that, is or was, in relation to a practitioner, a related person or entity:
c: an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm:
d: an agent or a banker of—
i: a practitioner or former practitioner; or
ii: a person who, or body that, is or was in relation to a practitioner, a related person or entity:
iii: an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm:
e: a person who is not a practitioner but who is an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm.
2: For the purposes of any inquiry or investigation being conducted under this Act, a Standards Committee or an investigator—
a: may, at any time, require a source of information to do any of the following:
i: produce for inspection by the Standards Committee or investigator all books, documents, papers, accounts, or records which are in the possession or under the control of the source of information and which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of the inquiry or investigation:
ii: allow copies of, or extracts from, any such books, documents, papers, accounts, or records to be made:
iii: furnish, in a form approved by, or acceptable to, the Standards Committee or investigator, any information or particulars that may be required by the Standards Committee or investigator, and any copies of, or extracts from, any such books, documents, papers, accounts, or records:
iv: give to the Standards Committee or investigator such information in relation to any such books, documents, papers, accounts, or records as may reasonably be required by the Standards Committee or investigator:
v: produce to the Standards Committee or investigator any trust account records required under this Act or any regulations or rules to be kept by a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm, whether or not those trust accounts are held by the practitioner or former practitioner or a related person or entity or the incorporated firm or former incorporated firm:
vi: allow, to such extent as may reasonably be required in relation to the matters under inquiry or investigation, inspection of all records and documents relating to money received by the person to whom the complaint or inquiry relates or any related person or entity or any agent or banker of the related person or entity, whether the money has been paid into a private account or a trust account at a bank or has not been paid to the credit of any such account:
vii: assist the Standards Committee or investigator by requiring the person or entity who is producing the record or document or trust account records to reproduce, in usable form, any information recorded or stored in the document or record or trust account records:
b: may require that any written information or particulars or any copies or extracts furnished under paragraph (a) are verified by statutory declaration or otherwise as the Standards Committee or investigator may require:
c: may employ any person or body to give assistance.
3: If a person or body is employed under subsection (2)﻿(c) by a Standards Committee or an investigator, the person or body so employed is to be treated as having been employed on behalf of the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, as the case may require. 1982 No 123 ss 85(3) 101(3)﻿(c)–(e)
148: Report to Standards Committee
1: The consideration by a Standards Committee of a report from an investigator must take place in private.
2: No person (being a member of a Standards Committee or a member of the staff of a Standards Committee) may publish to any other person any information disclosed in a report made to the Standards Committee except—
a: pursuant to any provision of paragraphs (a) to (h) of section 188(2)
b: pursuant to section 149 section 150
c: in the performance of his or her duty as a member of a Standards Committee or a member of the staff of a Standards Committee.
3: A report that is, under section 146(1)﻿(b)
149: Disclosure of report
1: Subject to subsection (2), a Standards Committee that receives a report from an investigator must give a copy of that report to—
a: any person to whom the report relates, being—
i: a practitioner or former practitioner; or
ii: a person who, or body that, is or was, in relation to a practitioner, a related person or entity; or
iii: an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm; or
iv: an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm; and
b: any practitioner representing the person to whom the report relates; and
c: the complainant.
2: Where, in the opinion of the Standards Committee there is good reason for not, under subsection (1), giving a copy of the report to a person or for withholding from a person some of the information contained in the report, the Standards Committee may, as the case requires,—
a: refuse to give a copy of the report to that person; or
b: make, to the copy given to that person, such deletions or alterations as the Standards Committee considers necessary.
3: If, under subsection (2), a Standards Committee takes, in respect of any person, either of the actions referred to in subsection (2), the Standards Committee must give to that person its reasons for the action.
150: Discretion in relation to contents of report
A Standards Committee that receives a report from an investigator may, in its discretion, communicate the contents of it, or any part of the contents, to—
a: any person who is a partner in a firm of practitioners to which the practitioner or former practitioner to whom the report relates belongs or belonged:
b: any person—
i: who is or was, in relation to the practitioner or former practitioner to whom the report relates, a related person; or
ii: who is or was a director of an entity that is or was, in relation to the practitioner or former practitioner to whom the report relates, a related entity:
c: the Law Society inspectorate or the Conveyancers Society inspectorate, as the case may require:
d: the auditor of the trust account of the practitioner or former practitioner to whom, or of an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm to which, the report relates:
e: the Council of the New Zealand Law Society or the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, as the case may require:
f: a qualified statutory accountant (within the meaning of section 5(1)
g: any Police employee or member of
h: the Registrar-General of Land for the purpose of enabling the Registrar-General of Land to discharge his or her duties under the Land Transfer Act 2017
i: any client of the practitioner or former practitioner to whom, or of the incorporated firm or former incorporated firm to which, the report relates. 1982 No 123 s 85(6)–(9) Section 150(f) replaced 1 July 2015 section 17 Financial Reporting Amendment Act 2014 Section 150(g) amended 1 October 2008 section 130(1) Policing Act 2008 Section 150(h) amended 12 November 2018 section 250 Land Transfer Act 2017
151: Evidence
1: A Standards Committee may receive in evidence any statement, document, information, or matter that may in its opinion assist it to deal effectively with the matters before it, whether or not the statement, document, information, or matter would be admissible in a court of law.
2: A Standards Committee may take evidence on oath, and for that purpose, any member or officer of the Standards Committee may administer an oath.
3: A Standards Committee may permit a person appearing as a witness before it to give evidence by tendering a written statement and, if the Standards Committee thinks fit, verifying that statement by oath.
4: Subject to subsections (1) to (3), the Evidence Act 2006
5: This section is subject to sections 142(1) 143(5) Section 151(4) amended 1 August 2007 section 216 Evidence Act 2006
152: Power of Standards Committee to determine complaint or matter
1: A Standards Committee may,—
a: after both inquiring into a complaint and conducting a hearing with regard to that complaint; or
b: after both inquiring into a matter under section 130(c) make 1 or more of the determinations described in subsection (2).
2: The determinations that the Standards Committee may make are as follows:
a: a determination that the complaint or matter, or any issue involved in the complaint or matter, be considered by the Disciplinary Tribunal:
b: a determination that there has been unsatisfactory conduct on the part of—
i: a practitioner or former practitioner; or
ii: an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm; or
iii: an employee or former employee of a practitioner or incorporated firm:
c: a determination that the Standards Committee take no further action with regard to the complaint or matter or any issue involved in the complaint or matter.
3: Nothing in this section limits the power of a Standards Committee to make, at any time, a decision under section 138
4: Subject to the right of review conferred by section 193 section 156(4) section 156 section 157 Section 152(1)﻿(b) amended 20 September 2007 section 4 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2007
153: Hearings on the papers
1: A hearing conducted under section 152(1)
2: Subsections (3) to (8) apply to hearings under section 152(1)
3: If the hearing is with regard to a complaint, the persons who may make written, but not oral, submissions to the Standards Committee are—
a: the complainant:
b: the person in respect of whom the complaint was made:
c: a person who, or body that, is or was, in relation to the person in respect of whom the complaint was made, a related person or entity:
d: a person who is or was a director of an entity that is or was, in relation to the practitioner or former practitioner in respect of whom the complaint was made, a related entity:
e: the New Zealand Law Society (if the person in respect of whom the complaint was made is or was a lawyer or an incorporated law firm or an employee of a lawyer or an incorporated law firm):
f: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers (if the person in respect of whom the complaint was made is or was a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or an employee of a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm).
4: If the hearing is with regard to a matter under section 130(c)
a: the person to whom the inquiry under section 130(c)
b: a person who, or body that, is or was, in relation to the person to whom the inquiry under section 130(c)
c: a person who is or was a director of an entity that is or was, in relation to the practitioner or former practitioner to whom the inquiry under section 130(c)
d: the New Zealand Law Society (if the person to whom the inquiry relates is or was a lawyer or an incorporated law firm or an employee of a lawyer or incorporated law firm):
e: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers (if the person to whom the inquiry relates is or was a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or an employee of a conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm).
5: The persons specified in subsections (3) and (4) may include in their submissions—
a: additional relevant written material; and
b: responses to any submissions made to the Standards Committee by any other person.
6: Neither the persons specified in subsections (3) and (4) nor their representatives may appear before the Standards Committee.
7: The Standards Committee must make its determination on the basis of the written material before it.
8: Consideration of the written material may be undertaken in whatever manner the Standards Committee thinks fit.
154: Reference of complaint or matter to Disciplinary Tribunal
1: If a Standards Committee makes a determination that the complaint or matter be determined by the Disciplinary Tribunal, the Standards Committee must—
a: frame an appropriate charge and lay it before the Disciplinary Tribunal by submitting it in writing to the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal; and
b: give written notice of that determination and a copy of the charge to the person to whom the charge relates; and
c: if the determination relates to a complaint, give both written notice of that determination and a copy of the charge to the complainant.
2: If the person who is the subject of the complaint or matter is a provider under the Legal Services Act 2011 1995 No 95 s 93(1)﻿(b) Section 154(2) added 1 July 2011 section 139 Legal Services Act 2011
155: Application for suspension of practitioner
If, under section 154(a)
a: as a barrister; or
b: as a solicitor; or
c: as both a barrister and a solicitor; or
d: as a conveyancing practitioner. 1995 No 95 s 95(a)
156: Power of Standards Committee to make orders
1: If a Standards Committee makes a determination under section 152(2)﻿(b)
a: order that all or some of the terms of an agreed settlement between the person to whom a complaint relates and the complainant are to have effect, by consent, as all or part of a final determination of the complaint:
b: make an order censuring or reprimanding the person to whom a complaint relates:
c: order the person to whom a complaint relates to apologise to the complainant:
d: where it appears to the Standards Committee that any person has suffered loss by reason of any act or omission of a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm or an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, order the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm, or employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, to pay to that person such sum by way of compensation as is specified in the order, being a sum not exceeding, as the case may require, the amount that is from time to time prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph by rules made under this Act by the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers:
e: order the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm to reduce his, her, or its fees for any work (being work which has been done by the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm and which is the subject of the proceedings before the Standards Committee) by such amount as is specified in the order:
f: order the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm to cancel his, her, or its fees for any work (being work which has been done by the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm and which is the subject of the proceedings before the Standards Committee):
g: for the purpose of giving effect to any order made under paragraph (e) or paragraph (f), order the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm to refund any specified sum already paid to the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm:
h: order the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm or employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm—
i: to rectify, at his or her or its own expense, any error or omission; or
ii: where it is not practicable to rectify the error or omission, to take steps to provide, at his or her or its own expense, relief, in whole or in part, from the consequences of the error or omission:
i: order the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm, or employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, to pay to the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, as the case may require, a fine not exceeding $15,000:
j: order the practitioner, or any related person or entity, or both to make the practitioner's practice available for inspection at such times and by such persons as are specified in the order:
k: order the incorporated firm to make its practice available for inspection at such times and by such persons as are specified in the order:
l: order the practitioner or incorporated firm to take advice in relation to the management of his, her, or its practice from such persons as are specified in the order:
m: order that the practitioner or any director or shareholder of the incorporated firm undergo practical training or education:
n: order the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm, or any director or shareholder of the incorporated firm or former incorporated firm, or any employee or former employee of the practitioner or incorporated firm, to pay to the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers such sum as the Standards Committee thinks fit in respect of the costs and expenses of and incidental to the inquiry or investigation made, and any hearing conducted, by the Standards Committee:
o: order the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm, or any director or shareholder of the incorporated firm or former incorporated firm, or any employee or former employee of the practitioner or incorporated firm, to pay to the complainant any costs or expenses incurred by the complainant in respect of the inquiry, investigation, or hearing by the Standards Committee.
2: In paragraphs (j) to (l) of subsection (1), specified
3: An order under this section may be made on and subject to such terms and conditions as the Standards Committee thinks fit.
4: The making of an order under this section for the payment of compensation to any person does not affect the right (if any) of that person to recover damages in respect of the same loss, but any sum ordered to be paid under this section, and the effect of any order made under this section for the reduction, cancellation, or refund of fees, must be taken into account in assessing any such damages.
5: Where an order made under any of the provisions of paragraphs (d) to (g) of subsection (1) is binding on any practitioner, that practitioner and any person who is, in relation to that practitioner, a related person or entity are jointly and severally liable to pay any amount that is payable under the order. 1982 No 123 s 106(2), (4)﻿(a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (i), (j), (7)–(9)
157: Further power to make order for payment of costs
1: If a Standards Committee makes a determination under section 152(2)﻿(c)
a: by the New Zealand Law Society (if that person is a lawyer or former lawyer or an incorporated law firm or former incorporated law firm or an employee or former employee of a lawyer or an incorporated law firm); or
b: by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers (if that person is a conveyancing practitioner or former conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or former incorporated conveyancing firm or an employee or former employee of a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm).
2: Even though, in proceedings relating to a complaint or matter, a Standards Committee has made a determination under section 152(2)﻿(c)
3: In this section, expenses 1982 No 123 s 129
158: Notice of determination
1: If a Standards Committee makes a determination of the kind described in section 152(2)﻿(b) or (c) section 193
2: The notice must—
a: state the determination and the reasons for it; and
b: specify any orders made under section 156 section 157
c: describe the right of review conferred by section 193
d: state the period within which an application for a review of the determination or of any such order or both may be lodged (which period is prescribed by section 198(b)
2A: A duty under subsection (1) (read with sections 6 193 to 197 The following table is small in size and has 2 columns. Column 1 is headed Class. Column 2 is headed Individual or smaller class. Column 1 Class Column 2 Individual or smaller class 1 All persons who practise in partnership with the practitioner Any 1 of those persons who practise in partnership with the practitioner 2 All directors of an incorporated law firm or incorporated conveyancing firm in which the practitioner practises Any 1 of those directors of that firm 3 All shareholders of an incorporated law firm or incorporated conveyancing firm in which the practitioner practises All shareholders of that firm who are shareholders of that firm in respect of shares that confer voting rights
3: If the person who is the subject of the determination is a provider under the Legal Services Act 2011 1993 No 28 s 71(3) Section 158(2A) inserted 20 November 2012 section 13 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 158(3) added 1 July 2011 section 140 Legal Services Act 2011
159: Power to notify Registrar-General of Land
1: If a Standards Committee makes a determination of the kind described in section 152(2)﻿(a) or (b) Land Transfer Act 2017
2: If the determination is of the kind described in section 152(2)﻿(a)
a: state the determination; and
b: contain a copy of the charge laid before the New Zealand Disciplinary Tribunal in accordance with section 154
3: If the determination is of the kind described in section 152(2)﻿(b) section 158(2) Section 159(1) amended 12 November 2018 section 250 Land Transfer Act 2017
160: Complaints by beneficiaries in relation to costs
1: If a trustee, executor, or administrator has become chargeable with a bill of costs, any person interested in any property out of which a trustee, executor, or administrator has paid or is entitled to pay the bill may, under section 132(2)
2: If a Standards Committee, on a complaint made pursuant to subsection (1), orders that any money be paid by a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm, it may, if it thinks fit, order that the money or any part of it be paid to the trustee, executor, or administrator chargeable with the bill, instead of to the complainant.
3: If the complainant pays any money to the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm in respect of the bill, the complainant has the same right to be paid by the trustee, executor, or administrator chargeable with the bill as the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm had.
4: This section does not limit the right of a trustee, executor, or administrator to complain under section 132(2) 1982 No 123 s 147(1), (3)
161: Stay of proceedings for recovery of costs
1: If, under section 141 section 132(2)
2: Where a Standards Committee makes a final determination on a complaint made under section 132(2)
3: The certificate of the Standards Committee or, as the case may be, the decision of the Legal Complaints Review Officer on a review of the determination is final and conclusive as to the amount due.
4: For the purposes of this section, a complaint is finally disposed of—
a: if—
i: the Standards Committee has made a final determination on the complaint or has, under section 138
ii: the complainant has not, within the time allowed, applied to the Legal Complaints Review Officer for a review of the determination or decision; or
b: if the Legal Complaints Review Officer has conducted a review of the determination or decision made by the Standards Committee on the complaint and has reported the outcome of the review to—
i: the complainant; and
ii: the practitioner or former practitioner or incorporated firm or former incorporated firm; and
iii: the Standards Committee. 1982 No 123 ss 154 155(1) Intervention in practice
162: Purpose
The purpose of sections 163 to 173
163: Circumstances justifying intervention
A Standards Committee may exercise any power under section 164 section 169
a: there is reasonable cause to believe that the practitioner or former practitioner has been guilty of theft or of any improper conduct in relation to the money or other property of any other person; or
b: there is reasonable cause to believe that any person who is an agent (within the meaning of section 305
c: the practitioner is, because of his or her mental or physical condition, unable to properly administer any trust account that the practitioner is required to administer as a regulated trust account; or
d: the practitioner is, because of his or her mental or physical condition, unable to properly conduct his or her practice; or
e: the practitioner or former practitioner has died; or
f: the practitioner or former practitioner has been adjudicated a bankrupt; or
g: the body corporate by which the practitioner or former practitioner is or was employed is in receivership or liquidation other than for the purpose of amalgamation under Part 13
h: the incorporated firm of which the practitioner or former practitioner is or was a director or shareholder is in receivership or liquidation other than for the purpose of amalgamation under Part 13
i: the name of the practitioner or former practitioner has been struck off the roll; or
j: the practitioner or former practitioner has been suspended from practice; or
k: the practitioner or former practitioner has been ordered by the Disciplinary Tribunal not to practise as a solicitor on his or her own account; or
l: the practitioner or former practitioner has ceased to practise and has neglected to wind up any trust account required by this Act or by any rules made under this Act to be kept by the practitioner. 1982 No 123 s 81
164: Intervention in relation to regulated trust accounts
1: A Standards Committee, if satisfied that any of the circumstances specified in section 163
2: On receipt of the notice, the banker must forthwith pay to the Standards Committee or the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers all money held by the banker in any such account; and the receipt of the Standards Committee (or the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers) is a complete discharge to the banker from all liability in respect of the money. 1982 No 123 s 82(1), (2)
165: Administration of funds obtained from regulated trust accounts
1: A Standards Committee or the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, on receiving money paid to it under section 164(2)
2: If any money that was contained in a regulated trust account and that was paid to a Standards Committee or the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers under section 164(2) 1982 No 123 s 82(3), (4)
166: Claims in respect of money paid to Standards Committee
1: Where, under section 164(2)
a: any person claiming to be adversely affected by the payment; and
b: if the money was paid from the regulated account of a deceased practitioner, the executor or administrator of the deceased practitioner or any person claiming to be entitled to a grant of probate or letters of administration of the estate of the deceased practitioner,— may at any time apply to the court for an order directing the Standards Committee or the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to repay the money into the bank account from which it was paid or for such order as the court thinks fit.
2: The court, on hearing an application under subsection (1), may make such order as it thinks fit. 1982 No 123 s 82(5)
167: Power of Standards Committee to repay money
1: Where, under section 164(2)
2: Subsection (1) is subject to—
a: section 168
b: any order made by the court under any provision of this Part. 1982 No 123 s 82(6)
168: Directions relating to Fidelity Scheme
1: Where a Standards Committee or the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers has, in relation to a practitioner, served a notice under section 164(1)
a: that the practitioner has been guilty of theft or of any improper conduct in relation to money or other property of any other person; or
b: that any person who is an agent (within the meaning of section 305 the money paid to the Standards Committee or the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers under section 164(2)
2: Subsection (1) is subject to—
a: section 165(2)
b: any order made by the court under this Part. 1982 No 123 s 82(7)
169: Power to take possession of money, property, records, and documents
A Standards Committee may take possession of any money or other property entrusted to a practitioner or former practitioner or any related person or entity and of any records or documents belonging to a practitioner or former practitioner or any related person or entity or held in a practitioner's or former practitioner's or related person's or entity's possession or under a practitioner's or former practitioner's or related person's or entity's control in the course of the practitioner's or former practitioner's or related person's or entity's practice—
a: if satisfied that any of the circumstances specified in section 163
b: if, in its opinion, it is expedient to do so. 1982 No 123 s 83(1)
170: Power in relation to postal articles and email communications
1: For the purposes of section 169
a: on the practitioner or former practitioner or any related person or entity a notice requiring the practitioner or former practitioner or related person or entity to deliver to the Standards Committee all postal articles received at the practitioner's or former practitioner's office address by the practitioner or former practitioner or any related person or entity:
b: on any postal operator or on any person in charge of a mail distribution centre operated by or on behalf of a postal operator or on both a notice requiring the postal operator or person or both to cause to be delivered to the Standards Committee all postal articles addressed to the practitioner or former practitioner at the practitioner's or former practitioner's office address:
c: on any Internet service provider a notice requiring the Internet service provider to cause to be delivered to the Standards Committee exact copies of all emails addressed to the practitioner at any email address used at any time by the practitioner or former practitioner for business purposes.
2: Every person who is served with a notice under subsection (1) must comply with that notice.
3: The notice must be signed by 2 of the members of the Standards Committee. 1982 No 123 s 83(2)
171: Offences
1: Every person commits an offence against this Act who, having possession or control of any records or documents belonging to a practitioner or former practitioner or any related person or entity or held in a practitioner's or former practitioner's or related person's or entity's possession or under a practitioner's or former practitioner's or related person's or entity's control in the course of the practitioner's or former practitioner's or related person's or entity's practice, refuses or fails without lawful justification or excuse to deliver them or cause them to be delivered to a Standards Committee forthwith on demand made by that Standards Committee for the purposes of section 169 section 170
2: Every person who commits an offence against this section is liable on 1982 No 123 s 87(a) Section 171(2) amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
172: Warrant to search premises
1: A Standards Committee may apply to a Judge of the High Court or a District Court Judge for a warrant to empower any member of the Standards Committee, or any other person on its behalf, to enter upon any premises, by force if necessary, and search for any money or other property or any records or documents of which the Standards Committee is entitled to take possession under section 169
2: A warrant may be issued under subsection (1) only if the Judge of the High Court or District Court Judge issuing the warrant is satisfied, in relation to a practitioner or former practitioner, that there is reasonable cause to believe—
a: that any of the circumstances specified in section 163
b: that any money or other property entrusted to the practitioner or former practitioner or a related person or entity or any records or documents belonging to the practitioner or former practitioner or a related person or entity or held in the possession of the practitioner or former practitioner or under the control of the practitioner or former practitioner or related person or entity in the course of the practitioner's or former practitioner's practice are or may be held on the premises in respect of which the warrant is issued.
3: Where any person is empowered by a warrant issued under subsection (1) to enter upon any premises, that person may be accompanied when so entering by a constable 1982 No 123 s 83(3), (4) Section 172(3) amended 1 October 2008 section 116(a)﻿(ii) Policing Act 2008
173: Warrant to inspect bank accounts
1: A Standards Committee may apply to a Judge of the High Court or a District Court Judge for a warrant to empower any member of the Standards Committee, or any other person on its behalf,—
a: to examine or audit the account of any person in any bank; and
b: for the purpose of the examination or audit,—
i: to require any officer of the bank to produce any document or provide any information that relates to that account and is in the bank's custody, care, or control; and
ii: to take copies of any document so produced.
2: A warrant may be issued under subsection (1) only if the Judge of the High Court or District Court Judge issuing the warrant is satisfied, in relation to the account in respect of which the warrant is issued, that there is reasonable cause to believe that money entrusted to a practitioner or former practitioner or a related person or entity in connection with legal or conveyancing services has been fraudulently or wrongfully paid into that account. 2001 No 10 s 27
174: Obligation to produce warrant
Any person who executes a warrant issued under section 172 section 173
a: must carry the warrant with him or her; and
b: must produce the warrant for inspection, along with evidence of his or her identity, on initial entry and, if requested, at any subsequent time; and
c: must, if requested at the time of the execution of the warrant or at any subsequent time, provide a copy of the warrant within 7 days after the request is made.
175: Notice of execution of warrant
1: If the occupier of the place is not present at the time at which a warrant issued under section 172
a: the time and date of the execution of the warrant; and
b: his or her name; and
c: the address of his or her place of business or of any other place at which inquiries may be made.
2: If, in the execution of a warrant issued under section 172
a: must leave in a prominent place on the premises a written inventory of all things removed; or
b: must, within 10 working days after the execution of the warrant, deliver, or send by registered mail, to the occupier of the premises or the person in charge of the premises, as the case may require, a written inventory of all things removed.
176: Powers and duties of Standards Committee in relation to documents and records
1: Where a Standards Committee, in exercising in relation to a practitioner or former practitioner or related person or entity any of its powers under sections 169 to 172
a: any application made under section 180
b: if no application relating to those documents is made under section 180
2: Thereafter, subject to any order made by the High Court on an application under section 180
3: Where a Standards Committee, in exercising in relation to a practitioner or former practitioner or related person or entity any of its powers under sections 169 to 172
4: A Standards Committee may at any time apply to the High Court for directions concerning any documents or records obtained by the Committee in the exercise of any of its powers under sections 169 to 172
5: A Standards Committee may at any time in its discretion return any records or documents obtained by the Committee in the exercise of any of its powers under sections 169 to 172
6: Subsection (5) is subject to—
a: any lawful demand made under subsection (2); and
b: any order made by the High Court under any provision of this Part.
7: While any documents are in the possession of a Standards Committee pursuant to the powers conferred on it by sections 169 to 172 1982 No 123 s 83(5)–(10)
177: Notification to clients of practitioner or former practitioner
A Standards Committee that exercises in respect of any practitioner or former practitioner or any related person or entity any power under section 164 section 169
a: may notify any client of the practitioner or former practitioner or any related person or entity of the actions taken by the Standards Committee and of the circumstances that have occasioned the intervention in the practice of the practitioner or former practitioner; and
b: may seek from any client of the practitioner or former practitioner or the related person or entity the client's instructions as to the completion of any transactions then current and as to the future disposition of the client's records, documents, money, and other property; and
c: may refer transactions to other practitioners for completion if circumstances, such as a client not being available or a client being incapable by reason of incapacity from giving instructions, so require.
178: Power to notify Registrar-General of Land
A Standards Committee that exercises in respect of any practitioner or former practitioner or any related person or entity any power under section 164 section 169 Land Transfer Act 2017 Section 178 amended 12 November 2018 section 250 Land Transfer Act 2017
179: Notification of practitioner or former practitioner, partner, employer, or director
1: A Standards Committee must, on receiving any money or any records or documents or postal articles or email communications under any provision of sections 164 169 170 172
a: the practitioner or former practitioner or related person or entity concerned; and
b: if the practitioner or former practitioner concerned is a partner in a firm of practitioners,
c: if the practitioner or former practitioner concerned is or was an employee, his or her employer; and
d: if the practitioner or former practitioner concerned is, or has been, providing regulated services to the public in his or her capacity as a shareholder or director of a body corporate, every director of that body corporate.
2: The notice must set out,—
a: in relation to any money received, the amount of that money and the date of receipt; or
b: in relation to any records, documents, postal articles, and emails received, both particulars of each item and the date of receipt of each item.
3: The notice may be served by—
a: delivering it personally to the practitioner, former practitioner, related person or entity, partner, employer, or director or, if he or she refuses to accept it, bringing it to his or her attention; or
b: delivering it to any of those persons at his or her usual place of residence or business by any form of prepaid delivery service that requires an acknowledgement of receipt of delivery from the person named in the notice. 1982 No 123 s 84(1), (2) Section 179(1)﻿(b) amended 14 November 2018 section 116(1) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 179(3) replaced 14 November 2018 section 116(2) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
180: Application to High Court by practitioner, former practitioner, related person or entity, partner, employer, or director
1: If a notice of the kind referred to in section 179
a: for an order directing the Standards Committee—
i: to repay any money referred to in the notice into the bank account from which it was received; or
ii: to return any records or documents or postal articles or emails referred to in the notice to the person or persons from whom they were received; or
b: for such other order as the High Court thinks fit.
2: The High Court may, on hearing any application under subsection (1), make such order as it thinks fit. 1982 No 123 s 84(3), (4)
181: Recovery of expenses of Standards Committee
1: The reasonable expenses of a Standards Committee in performing or exercising, in respect of a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm or an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, any of the functions and powers of the Standards Committee under sections 162 to 180
2: If the functions or powers are performed or exercised in respect of a lawyer or former lawyer or an incorporated law firm or former incorporated law firm or an employee or former employee of a lawyer or an incorporated law firm, the reasonable expenses are recoverable at the suit of the New Zealand Law Society.
3: If the functions or powers are performed or exercised in respect of a conveyancing practitioner or former conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or former incorporated conveyancing firm or an employee or former employee of a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm, the reasonable expenses are recoverable at the suit of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.
4: In this section, reasonable expenses 1982 No 123 s 86(1), (6)
182: Application of money in satisfaction of expenses
1: Subject to this section, a Standards Committee may apply any money belonging to a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm or to which he or she or it may be entitled, being money that comes into the possession of the Standards Committee, in or towards satisfaction of any reasonable expenses that are recoverable under section 181
2: No money may be applied under subsection (1) until a notice giving particulars of the expenses claimed has been served on—
a: the practitioner or former practitioner or his or her personal representatives; or
b: the incorporated firm or former incorporated firm.
3: The notice may be served on a practitioner or former practitioner or his or her representative by—
a: delivering it personally to the practitioner or former practitioner or, if he or she refuses to accept it, bringing it to his or her attention; or
b: delivering it to any of those persons at his or her usual place of residence or business by any form of prepaid delivery service that requires an acknowledgement of receipt of delivery from the person named in the notice.
4: A notice under subsection (2)﻿(b) may be served on the incorporated firm or former incorporated firm in accordance with section 387(1)
5: Within 14 days after a notice has been served or posted in accordance with subsection (3) or subsection (4), the practitioner or former practitioner or his or her personal representatives or the incorporated firm or former incorporated firm may apply to the High Court for a review of the expenses claimed; and on hearing any such application the High Court may make such order as it thinks fit. 1982 No 123 s 86(2)–(5) Section 182(3) replaced 14 November 2018 section 117 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 General provisions in relation to Standards Committees
183: Power to appoint committees
1: A Standards Committee may from time to time appoint committees, consisting of 2 or more members of the Standards Committee and such other persons (if any) as the Standards Committee thinks fit,—
a: to inquire into and report to the Standards Committee on such matters within the scope of the functions or powers of the Standards Committee as are referred to them by the Standards Committee; or
b: to exercise on behalf of the Standards Committee any of its functions or powers.
2: Every committee appointed under this section is subject in all things to the control of the Standards Committee by which it is appointed, and may from time to time be discharged, altered, or reconstituted by that Standards Committee.
184: Delegation of functions and powers
1: A Standards Committee may from time to time delegate to any of its members or to any committee appointed under section 183(1)﻿(b)
2: Every delegation under this section must be in writing.
3: No delegation under this section may include—
a: the power to make a decision under section 138
b: the power to appoint an investigator under section 144
c: the power to make a final determination under section 152
d: the power to make an order under section 156 section 157
4: Subject to any general or special directions given or conditions imposed by the Standards Committee, the person or committee to whom or to which any function or power is delegated under this section may perform or exercise that function or power in the same manner and with the same effect as if it had been conferred on that person or committee directly by this Act and not by delegation.
5: Every person or committee purporting to act pursuant to any delegation under this section is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, presumed to be acting in accordance with the terms of the delegation.
6: Every delegation under this section is revocable in writing at will.
7: No delegation under this section affects or prevents the performance or exercise of any function or power by the Standards Committee that made the delegation, nor does any such delegation affect the responsibility of that Standards Committee for the actions of any person acting under the delegation. 1988 No 20 ss 23 24(1)
185: Members, investigators, etc, not personally liable
A person who is a member of a Standards Committee or an investigator or an agent, employee, or delegate of a Standards Committee or a member of any committee appointed by a Standards Committee is not under any civil or criminal liability in respect of—
a: any act done or omitted to be done in the course of performing or exercising any of that person's functions, duties, or powers under this Act or any rules made under this Act; or
b: any words spoken or written at, or for the purpose of, the hearing of any inquiry or other proceedings under this Act or any rules made under this Act; or
c: anything contained in any notice given under this Act or any rules made under this Act, — unless that person has acted in bad faith. 1995 No 95 s 135(1); 1996 No 39 s 12(1)
186: Protection and privileges of witnesses
1: Every person has the same privileges in relation to—
a: the giving of information to a Standards Committee; and
b: the giving of evidence to, or the answering of questions put by, a Standards Committee; and
c: the production of papers, documents, records, or things to a Standards Committee— as witnesses have in a court of law.
2: In this section, Standards Committee 1982 No 123 s 127
187: Privileges and immunities of counsel
Every counsel appearing before a Standards Committee has the same privileges and immunities as counsel in a court of law. 1982 No 123 s 127
188: Disclosure of information
1: This section applies to—
a: any person, being a Standards Committee or a person who holds, or has held, office as a member of a Standards Committee:
b: any person to whom any of the functions and powers of a Standards Committee are, or have been, delegated under this Act:
c: any person who holds, or has held, office as an investigator:
d: any person, being a person or body that is employed or has been employed under section 147(2)﻿(c)
e: any person, being an employee or former employee or officer or former officer of a person or body that is employed or has been employed under section 147(2)﻿(c)
2: No person to whom this section applies may communicate any matter that came to the knowledge of that person or the employer of that person in the course of the exercise by that person, or the employer of that person, of powers conferred by this Act on that person, or the employer of that person, in relation to any complaint made, or inquiry or investigation conducted, under this Act except—
a: for the purposes of the inquiry or investigation; or
b: in the course of any report to a Standards Committee; or
c: in accordance with a direction for publication given under section 142(2)
d: in evidence in any proceedings before—
i: a Standards Committee; or
ii: the Legal Complaints Review Officer; or
iii: the Disciplinary Tribunal; or
iv: the Disciplinary Tribunal of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants or a disciplinary tribunal, committee, or other body of any other accredited body (within the meaning of section 6(1)
e: to a Police employee or member of
f: to any person who—
i: holds office under section 109
ii: is acting in the performance of his or her duty under section 109
g: to the Registrar-General of Land for the purpose of enabling the Registrar-General of Land to discharge his or her duties under the Land Transfer Act 2017
h: in evidence in any court. 1982 No 123 s 85(6) Section 188(2)﻿(d)﻿(iv) amended 1 July 2015 section 17 Financial Reporting Amendment Act 2014 Section 188(2)﻿(d)﻿(iv) amended 7 July 2010 section 10 New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants Amendment Act 2010 Section 188(2)﻿(e) amended 1 October 2008 section 130(1) Policing Act 2008 Section 188(2)﻿(g) amended 12 November 2018 section 250 Land Transfer Act 2017
189: Enforcement of orders
1: If a Standards Committee, acting in accordance with this Act or any rules made under this Act, makes an order or otherwise exercises any power in respect of any person who is or was a practitioner, that order or other exercise of any power has effect whether or not that person remains a practitioner.
2: If a Standards Committee, acting in accordance with this Act or any rules made under this Act, orders any person who is or was a practitioner or an incorporated firm or an employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm to pay a fine, expenses, or other monetary amount to the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, that amount is recoverable from that person by the society to which it is ordered to be paid as a debt due to that society, whether or not that person remains a practitioner or an incorporated firm or an employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm. 1996 No 39 s 13 Legal Complaints Review Officer
190: Legal Complaints Review Officer
1: A person who is not a lawyer or a conveyancing practitioner is to be appointed to be the Legal Complaints Review Officer.
2: The Legal Complaints Review Officer is to be appointed by the Minister, after consultation with the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.
3: No person is deemed to be appointed in the service of the Crown for the purposes of the Public Service Act 2020 Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956 Section 190(3) amended 7 August 2020 section 135 Public Service Act 2020
191: Criteria for appointment
In appointing any person as the Legal Complaints Review Officer, the Minister must have regard, among other things to—
a: the person's personal attributes:
b: the person's knowledge of, and experience in, matters relevant to the functions of the Legal Complaints Review Officer, such as—
i: the law of New Zealand:
ii: the provision of legal services:
iii: the issues related to professional conduct:
c: the person's ability, by reason of his or her skills or experience or both, to deal with the resolution and management of disputes.
192: Functions of Legal Complaints Review Officer
The functions of the Legal Complaints Review Officer are—
a: to exercise the powers of review conferred on the Legal Complaints Review Officer by this Act:
b: to promote, in appropriate cases, the resolution, by negotiation, conciliation, or mediation, of—
i: complaints; or
ii: such issues relating to complaints as the Legal Complaints Review Officer specifies:
c: to provide advice to the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers and the Minister on any issue that the Legal Complaints Review Officer identifies in the course of carrying out reviews (being an issue that relates to the manner in which complaints are received and dealt with under this Act or any rules made under this Act).
192A: Orderly and efficient operation
The Legal Complaints Review Officer is responsible for making such arrangements as are practicable to ensure that he or she and any Deputy Legal Complaints Review Officer performs his or her functions—
a: in an orderly and efficient manner; and
b: in a way that achieves the purposes of this Act. Section 192A inserted 14 November 2018 section 118 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
193: Right of review
A person who is specified in any provision of sections 194 to 197
194: Applicants in relation to complaints
1: This section applies to any determination, requirement, or order made, or direction given, by a Standards Committee (or by any person on its behalf or with its authority)—
a: in relation to a complaint (including a decision to take no action or no further action on a complaint); or
b: on a matter arising from a complaint.
2: A person may apply under section 193
a: the complainant; or
b: the person in respect of whom the complaint was made; or
c: a person who, or body that, at the time when the complaint was made, was, in relation to the practitioner or former practitioner in respect of whom the complaint was made, a related person or entity; or
d: the New Zealand Law Society (if the person in respect of whom the complaint was made was, or had been, a lawyer or an incorporated law firm or an employee of a lawyer or incorporated law firm); or
e: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers (if the person in respect of whom the complaint was made was, or had been, a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or an employee of a conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm).
195: Applicants in relation to inquiries
1: This section applies to any determination, requirement, or order made, or direction given, by a Standards Committee (or by any person on its behalf or with its authority) in relation to any act, omission, allegation, practice, or other matter that the Standards Committee (or any person on its behalf or with its authority) is inquiring into, of its own motion, under section 130(c)
2: A person may apply under section 193
a: the person to whom the inquiry relates; or
b: a person or body that is, in relation to the person to whom the inquiry relates, a related person or entity; or
c: the New Zealand Law Society (if the person to whom the inquiry relates is or was a lawyer or an incorporated law firm or an employee of a lawyer or incorporated law firm); or
d: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers (if the person to whom the inquiry relates is or was a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or an employee of a conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm).
196: Applicants in relation to power to intervene
In the case of the exercise by a Standards Committee (or by any person on its behalf or with its authority) of any of its powers under section 164 section 169 section 170 section 193
a: a practitioner or former practitioner who is directly affected by the exercise of the power; or
b: a person who, or body that, is, in relation to the practitioner or former practitioner who is directly affected by the exercise of the power, a related person or entity; or
c: an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm that is directly affected by the exercise of the power; or
d: a banker on whom a notice under section 164(1)
e: a person on whom a notice under section 170
f: the New Zealand Law Society (if the person who is directly affected by the exercise of the power is or was a lawyer or an incorporated law firm); or
g: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers (if the person who is directly affected by the exercise of the power is or was a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm).
197: Applicants in other cases
1: In the case of the performance or exercise by a Standards Committee (or by any other person on its behalf or with its authority) of any of its functions or powers (not being functions or powers to which sections 194 to 196 section 193
a: the New Zealand Law Society; or
b: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers; or
c: any other person who has the leave of the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or the Legal Complaints Review Officer to apply.
2: Nothing in this section authorises the review of any order of a Standards Committee that any complaint or matter be considered by the Tribunal.
3: This section is subject to section 205
198: Applications for review
Every application for a review under section 193
a: be in a form approved by the chief executive of the Ministry of Justice after consultation with the Legal Complaints Review Officer
b: be lodged with the Legal Complaints Review Officer within 30 working days after a copy or notice of the determination, requirement, or order made, or the direction given, or the performance or exercise of the function or power, by the Standards Committee (or by any person on its behalf or with its authority) is served on, given to, or otherwise brought to the attention of, the applicant for review (which, in the absence of proof to the contrary, is presumed to have occurred on the fifth working day after it is made, given, or performed or exercised); and
c: be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any). Section 198(a) amended 29 October 2019 section 119 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 198(b) replaced 20 November 2012 section 12(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
199: Obligation to conduct review
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer must, on receiving an application for review that is made in accordance with this Act, conduct that review.
2: This section is subject to sections 200 201 205
200: Avoidance of unnecessary formality
The Legal Complaints Review Officer must conduct any review with as little formality and technicality, and as much expedition, as is permitted by—
a: the requirements of this Act; and
b: a proper consideration of the review; and
c: the rules of natural justice. 1997 No 60 s 60
201: Postponement for consideration of negotiation, conciliation, or mediation
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may, on receiving an application for review,—
a: postpone the conduct of that review for such period as he or she considers reasonable; and
b: direct that, within a time or before a date fixed by the Legal Complaints Review Officer, the parties both—
i: explore the possibility of resolving, by negotiation, conciliation, or mediation, the matter to which the review relates or any issue involved in that matter; and
ii: report back to the Legal Complaints Review Officer.
2: A Legal Complaints Review Officer must not postpone the conduct of a review and give a direction under subsection (1) if he or she considers that such a direction—
a: would not contribute constructively to resolving the matter or issue; or
b: would not, in all the circumstances, be in the public interest; or
c: would undermine the urgent nature of the matter or issue.
3: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may, at any time, end the period of any postponement and proceed with the conduct of the review.
4: If the matter to which a review relates involves an issue of misconduct or unsatisfactory conduct, the Legal Complaints Review Officer may conduct the review in relation to that issue despite—
a: any postponement effected or direction given under subsection (1); and
b: any negotiation, conciliation, or mediation in relation to the matter to which the review relates or any issue involved in that matter; and
c: any settlement agreed by the parties to the review.
5: If the parties reach an agreed settlement in relation to the matter to which the review relates or any issue involved in that matter, the Legal Complaints Review Officer—
a: may record the terms of the settlement; and
b: may, by consent of the parties, declare all or some of the terms of the settlement to be all or part of a final determination of the issues involved in the matter to which the review relates.
6: No evidence is admissible in any court or before any person acting judicially or before a Standards Committee or before the Legal Complaints Review Officer or before the Disciplinary Tribunal of any information, statement, or admission disclosed or made to any person in the course of any negotiation, conciliation, or mediation conducted, pursuant to a direction given under subsection (1), for the purpose of resolving the matter to which the review relates or any issues involved in that matter.
7: Nothing in this section prevents the discovery or affects the admissibility of any evidence (being evidence which is otherwise discoverable or admissible and which existed independently of any negotiation, conciliation, or mediation conducted pursuant to a direction given under subsection (1) for the purpose of resolving a complaint or any issue involved in a complaint) merely because the evidence was presented in the course of the negotiation, conciliation, or mediation. Powers of Legal Complaints Review Officer
202: General powers
The Legal Complaints Review Officer has, in addition to the powers conferred on the Legal Complaints Review Officer by this Act, all such powers as are reasonably necessary or expedient to enable the Legal Complaints Review Officer to carry out his or her functions under this Act.
203: Scope of review of final determination
The Legal Complaints Review Officer may, in reviewing a final determination of a Standards Committee, review all the aspects, or any of the aspects,—
a: of any inquiry carried out by or on behalf of a Standards Committee in relation to the complaint or matter to which the final determination relates; and
b: of any investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Standards Committee in relation to the complaint or matter to which the final determination relates (including any investigation conducted by an investigator or any other person on behalf of or with the authority of the Standards Committee).
204: Power to obtain information
The Legal Complaints Review Officer may—
a: make inquiries of, and request explanations from, a Standards Committee as to—
i: the handling of any inquiry or investigation, or any aspect of any inquiry or investigation, that has been conducted by that Standards Committee or by an investigator on behalf of that Standards Committee; or
ii: the reasons for any final determination of that Standards Committee:
b: request a Standards Committee or an investigator to supply to the Legal Complaints Review Officer the originals of, or copies of, any records, reports, documents, or other information relating to a complaint and held by the Standards Committee or investigator:
c: make further inquiries or investigations into—
i: any complaint or any aspect of a complaint; or
ii: any aspect of the manner in which a complaint was handled or investigated:
d: exercise, for the purpose of any inquiry or investigation conducted under paragraph (c), all the powers of a Standards Committee or an investigator.
205: Legal Complaints Review Officer may strike out, determine, or adjourn application for review
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may strike out, in whole or in part, an application for review if satisfied that it—
a: discloses no reasonable cause of action; or
b: is likely to cause prejudice or delay; or
c: is frivolous or vexatious; or
d: is otherwise an abuse of process.
2: If a party is neither present nor represented at the hearing of an application for review, the Legal Complaints Review Officer may,—
a: if the party is required to be present, strike out the application; or
b: determine the application in the absence of the party; or
c: adjourn the hearing. Section 205 replaced 14 November 2018 section 120 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Procedure
206: Proceedings of Legal Complaints Review Officer
1: Every review conducted by the Legal Complaints Review Officer under this Act must be conducted in private.
2: Despite anything in this Act to the contrary, if it appears to the Legal Complaints Review Officer that a review can be adequately determined on the papers, he or she may, without the consent of the parties, do so on the basis of the information available, including any information obtained under section 204(b)
2A: Before doing so, he or she must give the parties a reasonable opportunity to comment on whether the review should be dealt with in that manner.
2B: The hearing of a matter or any part of it may be conducted by telephone, audiovisual link, or other remote access facility if the Legal Complaints Review Officer considers it appropriate and the necessary facilities are available.
3: Subject to subsection (2) and to sections 205 207 208
3A: The Legal Complaints Review Officer’s powers to determine a review are not affected by the failure of any party to—
a: make a submission or comment within the time allowed; or
b: give specified information within the time allowed; or
c: attend, or participate in, a hearing called by the Legal Complaints Review Officer; or
d: do any other thing the Legal Complaints Review Officer asks for or directs.
3B: If any failure of the kind referred to in subsection (3A) occurs in review proceedings, the Legal Complaints Review Officer may—
a: draw from the failure any reasonable inferences he or she thinks fit; and
b: determine the review concerned on the basis of the information available to him or her or strike out the application for review under section 205
c: give any weight he or she thinks fit to information—
i: that he or she asked for, or directed to be provided; but
ii: that was provided later than requested or directed.
4: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may, subject to subsection (3) and section 206A
5: Subject to this Act , any rules made under this Act, and any practice notes issued under section 215A
6: Forms for use by the Legal Complaints Review Officer may be approved by the chief executive of the Ministry of Justice after consulting the Legal Complaints Review Officer. 1988 No 2 s 23(2), (3)﻿(b), (c), (4) Section 206(2) replaced 14 November 2018 section 121(1) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 206(2A) inserted 14 November 2018 section 121(1) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 206(2B) inserted 14 November 2018 section 121(1) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 206(3A) inserted 14 November 2018 section 121(2) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 206(3B) inserted 14 November 2018 section 121(2) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 206(4) amended 14 November 2018 section 121(3) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 206(5) amended 14 November 2018 section 121(4) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 206(6) inserted 29 October 2019 section 121(5) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
206A: Suppression orders
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may order that any part of any evidence given or the name of any witness not be published.
2: An order may be made subject to any conditions that the Legal Complaints Review Officer considers appropriate. Section 206A inserted 14 November 2018 section 122 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
207: Evidence
1: In relation to any review of a determination of a Standards Committee, the Legal Complaints Review Officer may, on his or her own initiative, seek and receive such evidence and make such investigations and inquiries as he or she thinks fit.
2: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may receive and take into account any relevant evidence or information, whether or not that evidence or information would normally be inadmissible in a court of law. 1988 No 110 s 40(2), (4)
208: Disclosure of evidence and information to parties
1: Subject to subsection (2), all evidence and information received or ascertained under section 207(1)
2: Where, in the opinion of the Legal Complaints Review Officer, there is good reason for not disclosing to every party any evidence or information received or ascertained under section 207(1)
a: refuse to disclose that evidence or information to that party; or
b: give that evidence or information to that party after the Legal Complaints Review Officer has made to it such deletions or alterations as he or she considers necessary.
3: If, under subsection (2), the Legal Complaints Review Officer takes, in respect of any party, either of the actions referred to in subsection (2), the Legal Complaints Review Officer must give to that party the reasons for the action taken by the Legal Complaints Review Officer. 1988 No 110 s 40(3)
209: Power to direct reconsideration of complaints, matters, or decisions
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may—
a: direct a Standards Committee to reconsider and determine, either generally or in respect of any specified matters, the whole or any part of the complaint, matter, or decision to which any application for review relates:
b: give to a Standards Committee, in any case where the Legal Complaints Review Officer gives a direction under paragraph (a),—
i: his or her reasons for the direction; and
ii: such other directions as he or she thinks just as to the reconsideration or otherwise of the whole or any part of the complaint, matter, or decision that is referred back for reconsideration:
c: request, in giving a direction under paragraph (a), that the Standards Committee supply a follow-up report to him or her when it has complied with the direction.
2: A Standards Committee, in reconsidering any complaint, matter, or decision referred back to it under subsection (1)﻿(a), must have regard to the direction given by the Legal Complaints Review Officer and to his or her reasons for giving the direction. 1972 No 130 s 4(5), (6)
210: Order for payment of costs
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may, after conducting a review under this Act, make such order as to the payment of costs and expenses as the Legal Complaints Review Officer thinks fit.
2: In particular, the Legal Complaints Review Officer may order that costs be awarded to any person to whom the proceedings relate, and that those costs be paid—
a: by the New Zealand Law Society (if that person is a lawyer or former lawyer or an incorporated law firm or former incorporated law firm or an employee or former employee of a lawyer or an incorporated law firm); or
b: by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers (if that person is a conveyancing practitioner or former conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or former incorporated conveyancing firm or an employee or former employee of a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm).
3: In particular, without finding that there has been unsatisfactory conduct on the part of a person (being a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm or an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm) to whom the proceedings relate, the Legal Complaints Review Officer may, if he or she considers that the proceedings were justified and that it is just to do so, order that person to pay to the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers such sums as the Legal Complaints Review Officer thinks fit in respect of the expenses of and incidental to the proceedings and any investigation of that person's conduct or of that person's affairs or trust account carried out by, or on behalf of, a Standards Committee or the Legal Complaints Review Officer.
4: In this section, expenses 1982 No 123 s 129
211: Powers exercisable on review
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may, on a review under section 193
a: confirm, modify, or reverse any decision of a Standards Committee, including any determination, requirement, or order made, or direction given, by the Standards Committee (or by any person on its behalf or with its authority):
b: exercise any of the powers that could have been exercised by the Standards Committee in the proceedings in which the decision was made or the powers were exercised or could have been exercised.
2: Section 189
3: Nothing in this section limits section 209 section 210 section 212 section 215
212: Laying of charge with Disciplinary Tribunal
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer, if he or she decides that any complaint or matter should be considered by the Disciplinary Tribunal, must either—
a: frame an appropriate charge and lay it before the Disciplinary Tribunal; or
b: direct a Standards Committee to lay, under section 154
2: If the Legal Complaints Review Officer lays before the Disciplinary Tribunal a charge against a practitioner, the Legal Complaints Review Officer may apply to the Disciplinary Tribunal for an order that, pending the determination of the charge, the practitioner be suspended from practice—
a: as a barrister; or
b: as a solicitor; or
c: as a barrister and solicitor; or
d: as a conveyancing practitioner.
3: If the Legal Complaints Review Officer directs that a specified charge against a practitioner be laid, under section 154 section 155
a: as a barrister; or
b: as a solicitor; or
c: as a barrister and solicitor; or
d: as a conveyancing practitioner.
4: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may not, under section 211
5: If the Legal Complaints Review Officer decides to lay, or directs a Standards Committee to lay, a charge against a person who is a provider under the Legal Services Act 2011 Section 212(5) added 1 July 2011 section 141 Legal Services Act 2011
213: Obligation to report outcomes and recommendations
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer must—
a: report the outcome of each review to—
i: the Standards Committee concerned; and
ii: the applicant; and
iii: each of the other persons who was entitled, under section 193
b: report to the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, as the case may require, both the outcome at each review and any recommendations made as a result of the review.
2: The report of the outcome of a review must state the reasons for any decision made, as a result of that review, under section 205 section 211
2A: A duty under subsection (1)﻿(a)﻿(iii) (read with sections 6 193 to 197 The following table is small in size and has 2 columns. Column 1 is headed Class. Column 2 is headed Individual or smaller class. Column 1 Class Column 2 Individual or smaller class 1 All persons who practise in partnership with the practitioner Any 1 of those persons who practise in partnership with the practitioner 2 All directors of an incorporated law firm or incorporated conveyancing firm in which the practitioner practises Any 1 of those directors of that firm 3 All shareholders of an incorporated law firm or incorporated conveyancing firm in which the practitioner practises All shareholders of that firm who are shareholders of that firm in respect of shares that confer voting rights
3: If the person who is the subject of the review is a provider under the Legal Services Act 2011 Section 213(2A) inserted 20 November 2012 section 14 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 213(3) added 1 July 2011 section 142 Legal Services Act 2011
214: Adverse comment
The Legal Complaints Review Officer may not, in any decision, direction, or order made under section 211 section 213
215: Enforcement of orders for
payment of money
1: For the purpose of enforcing any order of the Legal Complaints Review Officer for the payment of money (whether compensation, the refund of a fee, a fine, or costs or expenses) money (whether compensation, the refund of a fee, a fine, or costs or expenses)
2: In every case where an order for money (whether compensation, the refund of a fee, a fine, or costs or expenses)
3: The court so named must be—
a: the District Court, if the amount recoverable does not exceed $350,000 or any higher amount from time to time specified in section 74
b: in every other case, the High Court. Section 215 heading amended 14 November 2018 section 123(1) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 215(1) amended 14 November 2018 section 123(2) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 215(2) amended 14 November 2018 section 123(3) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 215(3) replaced 14 November 2018 section 123(4) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Practice notes, procedural information, and publication of decisions Heading inserted 14 November 2018 section 124 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
215A: Practice notes
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer may issue practice notes as he or she thinks fit.
2: The practice notes must not be inconsistent with this Act or any regulations made under it and are for the guidance of Deputy Legal Complaints Review Officers, persons making complaints, persons who are the subject of complaints, and parties before the Legal Complaints Review Officer. Section 215A inserted 14 November 2018 section 124 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
215B: Online publication of information about procedures, time frames, and progress of decisions
The following information must be published on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the chief executive of the Ministry of Justice:
a: information about the purpose of the Legal Complaints Review Officer and how to commence a review:
b: any requirements that must be met to request a review:
c: guidelines on how and when parties may obtain information on the progress of their case and when a decision may be expected. Section 215B inserted 29 October 2019 section 125 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Cost recovery
216: Purpose
The purpose of sections 217 to 221
217: Levy
1: The New Zealand Law Society, in its regulatory capacity, and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, in its regulatory capacity, must, in respect of each financial year, pay to the Ministry of Justice a levy to meet—
a: the actual and anticipated cost to the Crown of the performance, in the financial year to which the levy relates, of the functions of the Legal Complaints Review Officer; and
b: any unanticipated cost to the Crown of the performance, in the financial year to which the levy relates, of the functions of the Legal Complaints Review Officer.
2: The cost to the Crown of the performance of the functions of the Legal Complaints Review Officer includes—
a: the remuneration and allowances payable under clause 4 each Deputy
b: the cost of the accommodation and services provided under clause 5
3: The amount of the unanticipated cost referred to in subsection (1)﻿(b) is not to exceed 10% of the actual and anticipated cost referred to in subsection (1)﻿(a).
4: The rate of the levy—
a: is to be determined in respect of each financial year by the Minister after consultation with the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers; and
b: is, in the case of the New Zealand Law Society, to be based on the number of practitioners who hold current practising certificates issued by that society; and
c: is, in the case of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, to be based on the number of practitioners who hold current practising certificates issued by that society.
5: The Minister must, on determining the rate of the levy, give written notice to each society of both the rate of the levy and the date by which the levy is required to be paid to the Ministry of Justice. Section 217(2)﻿(a) amended 12 December 2012 section 4 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act (No 2) 2012
218: Legal Complaints Review Officer Trust Account
1: Money paid to the Ministry of Justice by way of levy under section 217 section 219 section 66
2: The Ministry of Justice must establish under section 67(1)
3: The Legal Complaints Review Officer Trust Account is to be operated and maintained by the Ministry of Justice.
4: The trust money referred to in subsection (1) must be lodged in the Legal Complaints Review Officer Trust Account.
5: The Ministry of Justice must from time to time pay into a Departmental Bank Account operated by that Ministry such sums as are required to reimburse that Ministry for the costs incurred by that Ministry, with the approval of the Minister, in meeting the cost to the Crown of the performance of the functions of the Legal Complaints Review Officer.
6: The sums paid by way of reimbursement under subsection (5) must be paid from the Legal Complaints Review Officer Trust Account.
7: The Ministry of Justice may from time to time invest, in accordance with section 68
8: Subject to the provisions of this Act, Part 7
219: Special circumstances levy
1: If the amount held in the Legal Complaints Review Officer Trust Account is not sufficient to meet the cost to the Crown of the performance of the functions of the Legal Complaints Review Officer, the Minister may, for the purpose of ensuring that the cost is met, impose a special circumstances levy on the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.
2: The rate of a special circumstances levy is to be determined by the Minister after consultation with the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers; and paragraphs (b) and (c) of section 217(4)
3: Each society must pay to the Ministry of Justice each special circumstances levy imposed on that society.
4: The Minister imposes a special circumstances levy on a society by giving written notice to that society of—
a: the imposition of the levy; and
b: the rate of the levy; and
c: the date by which the levy is required to be paid to the Ministry of Justice.
220: Payment of levies
1: Each levy payable under section 217 section 219
2: Money paid to the Ministry of Justice by way of levy under section 217 section 219
3: Every levy under section 217 section 219
221: Recovery of levy
1: The New Zealand Law Society may, by a levy imposed under section 74(1)﻿(b) section 217 section 219
2: The New Zealand Society of Conveyancers may, by a levy imposed under section 91(1)﻿(b) section 217 section 219 Annual reports
222: Reports in relation to cost recovery
1: The annual report of the Ministry of Justice prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Act 2020
a: the amount received from the New Zealand Law Society by way of levy under section 217
b: the amount received from the New Zealand Law Society by way of levy under section 219
c: the amount received from the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers by way of levy under section 217
d: the amount received from the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers by way of levy under section 219
e: the amount paid under section 218(5)
f: the amount held in the Legal Complaints Review Officer Trust Account at the end of that financial year.
2: The annual report of the Ministry of Justice prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Act 2020 Section 222(1) amended 7 August 2020 section 135 Public Service Act 2020 Section 222(2) amended 7 August 2020 section 135 Public Service Act 2020
223: Annual report
1: The Legal Complaints Review Officer must, in each year, furnish to the Minister and the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers a report on the performance of his or her functions under this Act.
2: The Minister must present a copy of the report to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after it is furnished to the Minister.
224: Contents of annual report
1: The annual report of the Legal Complaints Review Officer must include, among other things, the following information:
a: the number and types of applications for review made in the year:
b: whether the reviews in respect of which the applications have been made have been completed:
c: the timeliness with which reviews have been completed:
d: the outcomes of the reviews:
e: the number of applications for review still outstanding.
2: Nothing in subsection (1) requires disclosure of matters that may identify particular individuals or bodies corporate.
225: Further provisions relating to Legal Complaints Review Officer
The provisions of Schedule 3 New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal
226: New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal
This section establishes a body to be known as the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. 1982 No 123 s 108(1)
227: Functions of Disciplinary Tribunal
The functions of the Disciplinary Tribunal are—
a: to hear and determine any application made by a Standards Committee or the Legal Complaints Review Officer for the suspension of a practitioner pending the determination of a charge that the Standards Committee or the Legal Complaints Review Officer has laid against that practitioner:
b: to hear and determine any charge against a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm or an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm that is made to it by a Standards Committee or the Legal Complaints Review Officer:
c: to hear and determine any application made by a person under section 246
d: to hear and determine any application made by a person under section 247 section 242(1)﻿(h)
e: to hear and determine any appeal under section 42
f: to hear and determine any application made by a practitioner or an incorporated firm under section 248
i: is under suspension from practice as a barrister or as a barrister and solicitor or as a conveyancing practitioner; or
ii: has had his or her name struck off the roll otherwise than at his or her own request; or
iii: has had his or her registration as a conveyancing practitioner cancelled by an order made under this Act; or
iv: is disqualified, by an order made under section 242(1)﻿(h)
g: to make rules, not inconsistent with this Act, in respect of the making, hearing, and determination of applications, inquiries, appeals, and other proceedings before the Disciplinary Tribunal:
h: to perform such other functions as are conferred on it by this Act or any other enactment. 1982 No 123 ss 110 130
228: Membership of Disciplinary Tribunal
The Disciplinary Tribunal consists of—
a: 1 member who is to be appointed as the chairperson:
b: 1 member who is to be appointed as the deputy chairperson:
c: not less than 7 nor more than 15 lay members (being persons whose names are neither on the roll nor on the register of conveyancers):
d: not less than 7 nor more than 15 members who are lawyers:
e: not less than 3 nor more than 5 members who are conveyancing practitioners. 1982 No 123 s 108(2)
229: Disciplinary Tribunal may sit in divisions
1: The chairperson may, from time to time, if he or she considers it appropriate in a particular case or class of case, determine, by writing signed by the chairperson, that the Disciplinary Tribunal is to sit in divisions.
2: A division of the Disciplinary Tribunal may exercise all the powers of the Disciplinary Tribunal.
3: Each division of the Disciplinary Tribunal is to consist of such members as are for the time being assigned to that division by the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal.
4: If the members assigned to a division do not include either the chairperson or the deputy chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal, the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal must, from time to time, designate the person who is to be the chairperson of that division.
5: The chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal is to determine in each case which division of the Disciplinary Tribunal is to conduct particular proceedings.
6: For the purposes of any proceedings that are before any division of the Disciplinary Tribunal by virtue of any determination under this section, the Disciplinary Tribunal is deemed to consist of that division of the Disciplinary Tribunal, and the powers of that division are not affected by any changes or vacancies in its membership.
7: A division of the Disciplinary Tribunal may exercise any powers of the Disciplinary Tribunal even though another division of the Disciplinary Tribunal is exercising powers of the Disciplinary Tribunal at the same time.
8: Any determination made by the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal under this section may be revoked or amended by that chairperson by writing signed by that chairperson. 1986 No 5 s 16 1993 No 94 s 101
230: Appointment of chairperson and deputy chairperson
1: The chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal and the deputy chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal must each be a person who, whether or not he or she holds or has held judicial office,—
a: is not a practitioner; but
b: has had not less than 7 years' practice as a lawyer.
2: The chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal and the deputy chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal are to be appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister. 1982 No 123 s 108(3)
231: Responsibilities of chairperson
1: The chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal is responsible for—
a: making such arrangements as are practicable to ensure the orderly and expeditious discharge of the functions of the Disciplinary Tribunal:
b: deciding whether the Disciplinary Tribunal is to sit in divisions:
c: designating the times and places at which hearings will be conducted:
d: designating, where necessary, the member who is to be the chairperson of any division of the Disciplinary Tribunal:
e: training members of the Disciplinary Tribunal and making such arrangements for the training of members of the Disciplinary Tribunal as the chairperson considers necessary:
f: furnishing in each year a report under section 259
2: Despite subsection (1)﻿(e), no member of the Disciplinary Tribunal is to be entitled, under the arrangements made under subsection (1)﻿(e), to receive more than 2 days of training in any period of 12 months.
232: Deputy chairperson and acting deputy chairperson
1: If—
a: the chairperson becomes incapable of acting as chairperson by reason of illness, absence, or other sufficient cause; or
b: there is a vacancy in the office of chairperson; or
c: the chairperson considers it not proper or desirable that he or she adjudicate on any specified matter,— the deputy chairperson has and may perform or exercise all the functions, duties, and powers of the chairperson.
2: The deputy chairperson is, while acting for the chairperson, deemed to be the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal.
3: If, in any case to which subsection (1) applies,—
a: the deputy chairperson is incapable of acting as chairperson by reason of illness, absence, or other sufficient cause; or
b: there is a vacancy in the office of deputy chairperson; or
c: the deputy chairperson considers it not proper or desirable that he or she adjudicate on any specified matter,— the Minister may appoint a suitable person to act for the deputy chairperson for the period or purpose stated in the appointment.
4: No person is qualified for appointment under subsection (3) unless that person is qualified under section 230(1)
5: Any person appointed under subsection (3) to act for the deputy chairperson is, while acting as such, deemed to be the deputy chairperson, and has and may perform or exercise all the functions, duties, and powers of that office for the period or for the purpose stated in the appointment.
6: No appointment of a person to act for the deputy chairperson and no act done by the deputy chairperson while acting for the chairperson or by a person acting pursuant to an appointment under subsection (3), and no act done by the Disciplinary Tribunal while the deputy chairperson or any such person is so acting may, in any proceedings, be questioned on the ground that the occasion for the deputy chairperson or any such person to so act had not arisen or had ceased.
233: Appointment of other members
1: The members appointed under section 228(c)
2: The members appointed under section 228(d)
3: The members appointed under section 228(e) 1982 No 123 ss 108(2) 109(1)
233A: Appointment of temporary acting member
1: If a member of the Disciplinary Tribunal becomes incapable of acting by reason of illness, absence, or other sufficient cause, or if a member considers it is not proper or not desirable that he or she should adjudicate on a specified matter, the Governor-General, on the recommendation of the Minister, may appoint a suitable person as an acting member for the period or purpose stated in the appointment.
2: The Minister must not make a recommendation under subsection (1) unless the Minister has consulted—
a: the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal; and
b: the New Zealand Law Society; and
c: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.
3: No person may be appointed as an acting member unless he or she is eligible for appointment as a member.
4: An acting member is, while acting in the position, to be treated as a member of the Tribunal.
5: No appointment of an acting member, no act done by an acting member, and no act done by the Tribunal may be questioned in any proceedings on the ground that the occasion for the appointment had not arisen or had ceased. Section 233A inserted 14 November 2018 section 126 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
234: Constitution for proceedings
1: For the purposes of proceedings before the Disciplinary Tribunal or a division of the Disciplinary Tribunal, the Disciplinary Tribunal or division consists of—
a: a chairperson, being,—
i: in the case of proceedings before the Disciplinary Tribunal, the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal; or
ii: in the case of proceedings before a division of the Disciplinary Tribunal (being a division of which the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal is a member), either the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal or a member of the Disciplinary Tribunal designated by the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal as the chairperson of that division; or
iii: in the case of proceedings before a division of the Disciplinary Tribunal (being a division of which the deputy chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal, and not the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal, is a member), either the deputy chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal or a member of the Disciplinary Tribunal designated by the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal as the chairperson of that division; and
b: such other members of the Disciplinary Tribunal as are selected in accordance with this section by the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal.
2: The number of members of the Disciplinary Tribunal selected under subsection (1)﻿(b) must be an even number that is not less than 4.
3: Half of the number of members selected under subsection (1)﻿(b) must be lay members.
4: Half of the number of members selected under subsection (1)﻿(b)—
a: must, if the proceedings relate to a lawyer or former lawyer or an incorporated law firm or former incorporated law firm or an employee or former employee of a lawyer or an incorporated law firm, be members who hold office under section 228(d)
b: must, if the proceedings relate to a conveyancing practitioner or former conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or former incorporated conveyancing firm or an employee or former employee of a conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm, be members who hold office under section 228(e)
5: Section 234(5) repealed 20 November 2012 section 27(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
235: Quorum
1: The quorum at any sitting of the Disciplinary Tribunal or a division of the Disciplinary Tribunal is 5 members of the Disciplinary Tribunal.
2: Despite subsection (1), a quorum is not present if—
a: no lay member is present; or
b: the number of lay members present exceeds the number of members present who hold office under section 228(d) or section 228(e)
3: Every question before the Disciplinary Tribunal or a division of the Disciplinary Tribunal is to be determined by the opinion of the majority of the members present at a sitting of the Disciplinary Tribunal or division, and, if the members are equally divided in their opinions, that of the chairperson prevails.
4: Subsection (1) is subject to subsection (5) (which permits a reduced, specified 3-member quorum for specified purposes) and section 244(2)
5: For the purposes specified in section 240(4) section 245
a: the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal; and
b: a lay member of the Disciplinary Tribunal; and
c: either—
i: a member of the Disciplinary Tribunal appointed under section 228(d)
ii: a member of the Disciplinary Tribunal appointed under section 228(e) Section 235(4) replaced 20 November 2012 section 15 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 235(5) inserted 20 November 2012 section 15 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Procedure
236: Rules of natural justice
The Disciplinary Tribunal must, in performing and exercising its functions and powers, observe the rules of natural justice. 1982 No 123 s 124(1) 1996 No 39 s 9
237: Representation before Disciplinary Tribunal
1: Every person who makes an application to the Disciplinary Tribunal and every practitioner or other person to whom an application to the Disciplinary Tribunal relates is entitled to appear and be heard at the hearing of that application and to be represented by counsel or otherwise.
2: A charge made by a Standards Committee against a practitioner or any other person is, at the hearing, to be prosecuted by that Standards Committee, which, for that purpose, may be represented by counsel or otherwise.
3: A charge made by the Legal Complaints Review Officer against a practitioner or any other person is, at the hearing, to be prosecuted by the Legal Complaints Review Officer, who, for that purpose, may be represented by counsel or otherwise.
4: The practitioner or other person against whom a charge is made by a Standards Committee or the Legal Complaints Review Officer is entitled to appear and be heard at the hearing of that charge and to be represented by counsel or otherwise.
5: If any party to proceedings before the Disciplinary Tribunal is represented by counsel, any other party to those proceedings may be represented by counsel.
238: Hearings to be in public
1: Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) and section 240
2: If the Disciplinary Tribunal is of the opinion that it is proper to do so, having regard to the interest of any person (including (without limitation) the privacy of the complainant (if any)) and to the public interest, it may hold a hearing or part of a hearing in private.
3: The Disciplinary Tribunal may, in any case, deliberate in private as to its decision or as to any question arising in the course of a hearing. 1982 No 123 s 111(1), (2)﻿(a), (4)
238A: Hearing on papers
1: Despite anything in this Act to the contrary, the Disciplinary Tribunal may determine a proceeding on the papers if the Tribunal considers it appropriate.
2: Before doing so, the Tribunal must give the parties a reasonable opportunity to comment on whether the proceeding should be dealt with in that manner. Section 238A inserted 14 November 2018 section 127 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
239: Evidence
1: Subject to section 236
2: The Disciplinary Tribunal may take evidence on oath, and, for that purpose, any member of the Disciplinary Tribunal may administer an oath.
3: The Disciplinary Tribunal may permit a person appearing as a witness before it to give evidence by tendering a written statement and verifying that statement by oath.
4: Subject to subsections (1) to (3), the Evidence Act 2006
5: A hearing before the Disciplinary Tribunal is a judicial proceeding within the meaning of section 108 1995 No 95 Schedule 1 cl 6; 1996 No 39 s 10 Section 239(4) amended 1 August 2007 section 216 Evidence Act 2006
239A: Online publication of information about procedures, time frames, and progress of decisions
The following information must be published on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the chief executive of the Ministry of Justice:
a: information about the purpose of the Disciplinary Tribunal and how to bring proceedings:
b: any requirements that must be met to bring proceedings:
c: guidelines on how and when parties may obtain information on the progress of their case and when a decision may be expected. Section 239A inserted 29 October 2019 section 128 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
239B: Online publication of final written decisions
1: Every final written decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal must be published on an Internet site as soon as practicable, unless there is good reason not to publish it.
2: A final written decision may be published in part if there is good reason for not publishing the full decision.
3: Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to section 240
4: Good reason not to publish a decision, or part of it, includes the following:
a: non-publication is necessary because of a suppression order or statutory requirement that affects publication or continued publication:
b: the decision falls into a category of decisions that are of limited public value:
c: taking into account the presumption in subsection (1) in favour of publication, the Disciplinary Tribunal nevertheless determines that the decision, or any part of it, should not be published because publication or the effect of publication would be contrary to the interests of justice.
5: In this section, final written decision
a: a written reserved decision following an oral hearing:
b: a written decision in any case considered on the papers:
c: an oral decision transcribed by an official transcription service. Section 239B inserted 29 October 2019 section 128 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
240: Restrictions on publication
1: If the Disciplinary Tribunal is of the opinion that it is proper to do so, having regard to the interest of any person (including (without limitation) the privacy of the complainant (if any)) and to the public interest, it may make any 1 or more of the following orders:
a: an order prohibiting the publication of any report or account of any part of any proceedings before it, whether held in public or in private:
b: an order prohibiting the publication of the whole or any part of any books, papers, or documents produced at any hearing:
c:
2: Unless it is reversed or modified in respect of its currency by the High Court on appeal under section 253
2A: Subsections (1)﻿(c) and (2) are subject to subsection (4).
3: Subsection (1)﻿(c) does not apply to, or in respect of,—
a: any communications by or between any or all of the following:
i: the Council of the New Zealand Law Society:
ii: the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers:
iii: an officer of either of the societies specified in subparagraphs (i) and (ii):
iv: an employee of either of the societies specified in subparagraphs (i) and (ii):
v: a Standards Committee:
vi: an employee of a Standards Committee:
vii: the Legal Complaints Review Officer:
viii: the Disciplinary Tribunal:
b: the publication pursuant to section 256 Gazette
4: For the purposes of exercising the Disciplinary Tribunal's powers under subsections (1)﻿(c) and (2) to make or revoke, before the start of the hearing of the charge, an order prohibiting the publication of the name or any particulars of the affairs of the person charged or any other person, the quorum at any sitting of the Disciplinary Tribunal or a division of the Disciplinary Tribunal is, despite section 235(1) 1982 No 123 s 111(2)﻿(b)–(d), (3), (6) Section 240(1)﻿(c) amended 20 November 2012 section 16(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 240(2A) inserted 20 November 2012 section 16(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 240(4) inserted 20 November 2012 section 16(3) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
240A: Disciplinary Tribunal may strike out, determine, or adjourn proceeding
1: The Disciplinary Tribunal may strike out, in whole or in part, a proceeding if satisfied that it—
a: discloses no reasonable cause of action; or
b: is likely to cause prejudice or delay; or
c: is frivolous or vexatious; or
d: is otherwise an abuse of process.
2: If a party is neither present nor represented at the hearing of a proceeding, the Disciplinary Tribunal may,—
a: if the party is required to attend, strike out the proceeding; or
b: determine the proceeding in the absence of the party; or
c: adjourn the hearing. Section 240A inserted 14 November 2018 section 129 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
241: Charges that may be brought before Disciplinary Tribunal
If the Disciplinary Tribunal, after hearing any charge against a person who is a practitioner or former practitioner or an employee or former employee of a practitioner or incorporated firm, is satisfied that it has been proved on the balance of probabilities that the person—
a: has been guilty of misconduct; or
b: has been guilty of unsatisfactory conduct that is not so gross, wilful, or reckless as to amount to misconduct; or
c: has been guilty of negligence or incompetence in his or her professional capacity, and that the negligence or incompetence has been of such a degree or so frequent as to reflect on his or her fitness to practise or as to bring his or her profession into disrepute; or
d: has been convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment and the conviction reflects on his or her fitness to practise, or tends to bring his or her profession into disrepute,— it may, if it thinks fit, make any 1 or more of the orders authorised by section 242 1982 No 123 s 112(1)
242: Orders that may be made where charge proved
1: In any case to which section 241
a: any order that a Standards Committee has power to make under section 156
b: an order declaring that, in the opinion of the Disciplinary Tribunal, any of the circumstances specified in section 163 section 164 section 169
c: if the person is a lawyer or former lawyer, an order that the person's name be struck off the roll:
d: if the person is a conveyancing practitioner or former conveyancing practitioner, an order that the person's registration as a conveyancer be cancelled:
e: if the person is a lawyer or former lawyer, an order that the person be suspended from practice as a barrister or as a solicitor, or as both, for such period, not exceeding 36 months, as the Disciplinary Tribunal thinks fit:
f: if the person is a conveyancing practitioner or former conveyancing practitioner, an order that the person be suspended from practice as a conveyancing practitioner for such period, not exceeding 36 months, as the Disciplinary Tribunal thinks fit:
g: if the person is a practitioner or former practitioner, an order prohibiting the person from practising on his or her own account, whether in partnership or otherwise, until authorised by the Disciplinary Tribunal to do so:
h: if the person is an employee or a former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm,—
i: an order that any present employment of that person by any practitioner or incorporated firm be terminated:
ii: an order that no practitioner or incorporated firm employ that person in connection with the practitioner's or incorporated firm's practice so long as the order remains in force:
iii: an order that no practitioner or incorporated firm employ that person in connection with the practitioner's or incorporated firm's practice, otherwise than with the written consent of the Disciplinary Tribunal and subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the Disciplinary Tribunal, so long as the order remains in force:
i: if the person is a lawyer or former lawyer or an employee or former employee of a lawyer or an incorporated firm, an order that the person pay to the New Zealand Law Society in respect of any charge against him or her such sum by way of penalty, not exceeding $30,000, as the Disciplinary Tribunal thinks fit:
j: if the person is a conveyancing practitioner or former conveyancing practitioner or an employee or former employee of a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm, an order that the person pay to the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers in respect of any charge against him or her such sum by way of penalty, not exceeding $30,000, as the Disciplinary Tribunal thinks fit.
2: Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1) are subject to section 244 1982 No 123 ss 112(2) 114(2) Section 242(1)﻿(c) replaced 20 November 2012 section 17 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 242(1)﻿(d) replaced 20 November 2012 section 17 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 242(1)﻿(e) replaced 20 November 2012 section 17 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 242(1)﻿(f) replaced 20 November 2012 section 17 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 242(1)﻿(g) replaced 20 November 2012 section 17 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
243: Power to refer bill of costs to Standards Committee
1: This section applies in relation to any case that is before the Disciplinary Tribunal and arises wholly or partly out of a complaint of overcharging by a practitioner or former practitioner or an incorporated firm or former incorporated firm.
2: If, in any case to which this section applies, the Disciplinary Tribunal considers that the practitioner's or former practitioner's or incorporated firm's or former incorporated firm's bill of costs in respect of any matter to which the complaint relates is unfair or unreasonable, the Disciplinary Tribunal may, whether or not it makes an order under section 242
3: The Standards Committee must, after considering the bill of costs, make such order or orders under section 156
4: This section does not limit section 242 1982 No 123 s 112(4)
244: Making of order for striking off roll, cancellation of registration, or suspension from practice
1: The Disciplinary Tribunal may not make an order, under section 242(1)﻿(c) or former practitioner or former practitioner or former practitioner
2: Except by consent, the Disciplinary Tribunal may not make—
a: an order, under section 242(1)﻿(c) or former practitioner
b: an order, under section 242(1)﻿(d) or former practitioner
c: an order, under section 242(1)﻿(e) or former practitioner unless at least 5 members of the Disciplinary Tribunal are present and vote in favour of the order and those members are either the only members present and voting at the sitting of the Disciplinary Tribunal or the division of the Disciplinary Tribunal or are a majority of the members present and voting at the sitting of the Disciplinary Tribunal or the division of the Disciplinary Tribunal.
3: Where the Disciplinary Tribunal makes an order, under section 242(1)﻿(c) or former practitioner or former practitioner section 253 or former practitioner 1982 No 123 ss 113 117(3) Section 244(1) amended 20 November 2012 section 18(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 244(2)﻿(a) amended 20 November 2012 section 18(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 244(2)﻿(b) amended 20 November 2012 section 18(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 244(2)﻿(c) amended 20 November 2012 section 18(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 244(3) amended 20 November 2012 section 18(3) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
245: Interim suspension from practice
1: If a charge against a practitioner has been made or referred to the Disciplinary Tribunal, it may,—
a: on the application of the party by whom the charge was laid or of its own motion; and
b: without any prior notice to the practitioner,— make an order that the practitioner be suspended from practice as a barrister or as a solicitor or as both, or as a conveyancing practitioner, until the charge has been heard and disposed of.
2: The Disciplinary Tribunal may make an order under subsection (1) only if it is satisfied that it is necessary or desirable to do so having regard to—
a: the interests of the public; or
b: the financial interests of any person.
3: On the making of an order under subsection (1), or at any time while such an order is in force, the Disciplinary Tribunal may direct that, after the expiration of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the order is made, a notice stating the date and effect of the order is to be published in such publications as are specified by the Disciplinary Tribunal.
4: The practitioner in respect of whom an interim suspension order is made under this section may, at any time, apply to the Disciplinary Tribunal for the revocation of—
a: the order; or
b: any direction given under subsection (3); or
c: both.
5: An application under subsection (4) must be heard within 7 days after the day on which it is received by the Disciplinary Tribunal, and the Disciplinary Tribunal may grant or refuse the application as it thinks fit.
6: If an order under subsection (1) is made or revoked by the Disciplinary Tribunal, the Disciplinary Tribunal must forthwith give written notice of the making or revocation of the order to the Registrar-General of Land.
7: For the purposes of exercising the Disciplinary Tribunal's powers under this section, the quorum at any sitting of the Disciplinary Tribunal or a division of the Disciplinary Tribunal is, despite section 235(1)
8: Nothing in this section or in section 236 1982 No 123 ss 115 124(2) Section 245(7) replaced 20 November 2012 section 19 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
246: Restoration of name to roll or register
1: Any person whose name has been struck off the roll under this Act or, before the commencement of this Act, under the Law Practitioners Act 1982
2: Any person whose registration as a conveyancer has been cancelled under this Act may, in accordance with rules made under this Act, apply to the Disciplinary Tribunal for the restoration of his or her name to the register.
3: On hearing an application under subsection (1) or subsection (2), the Disciplinary Tribunal, if satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to practise as a barrister or as a solicitor or as both, or as a conveyancing practitioner, may order that the applicant's name be restored to the roll or register, as the case may require.
4: An order under subsection (3) may impose the condition that the applicant must not practise as a solicitor or as a conveyancing practitioner on his or her own account, whether in partnership or otherwise, until authorised by the Disciplinary Tribunal to do so.
5: Subsection (4) does not limit subsection (3).
6: No application by a person for the restoration of his or her name to the roll or to the register of conveyancers may be made except under section 60 1982 No 123 s 116
247: Revocation of order in respect of employee
1: Any person in respect of whom an order has been made under section 242(1)﻿(h)
2: Rules made for the purposes of this Part apply to the application as if it were an application under section 246(1)
3: If, on hearing any application under subsection (1), the Disciplinary Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to be employed by a practitioner, it may revoke the order.
4: The revocation of the order does not entitle the applicant to be reinstated in the employment that was terminated by the order.
248: Consent to employ
1: A practitioner or an incorporated firm may apply to the Disciplinary Tribunal for its consent to the employment by the practitioner or incorporated firm of a person who—
a: is under suspension from practice as a barrister or as a barrister and solicitor or as a conveyancing practitioner; or
b: has had his or her name struck off the roll otherwise than at his or her own request; or
c: has had his or her registration as a conveyancing practitioner cancelled by an order made under this Act; or
d: is disqualified, by an order made under section 242(1)﻿(h)
2: The applicant must,—
a: if a lawyer or an incorporated law firm, serve notice of the application on the New Zealand Law Society (which is to be entitled to appear and be heard on the application); or
b: if a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm, serve notice of the application on the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers (which is to be entitled to appear and be heard on the application).
3: If the Disciplinary Tribunal is satisfied, on the application of a practitioner or an incorporated firm, that there is good reason why the person to whom the application relates should be employed, the Disciplinary Tribunal may, in its discretion, after taking into consideration the matters specified in subsection (4) and such other matters as it considers relevant, grant or refuse its consent to the employment of that person by that practitioner or incorporated firm.
4: The matters that the Disciplinary Tribunal must consider in relation to the proposed employment of the person to whom the application relates are as follows:
a: the need to protect both the public and the standing of the profession:
b: the seriousness of the proved offending of that person:
c: any matter relevant to the honesty of that person:
d: the work on which that person will be employed and the extent to which, and the manner in which, the carrying out of that work by that person will be supervised:
e: the previous record, in relation to disciplinary matters, of that person:
f: the relevance of the nature of the penalty imposed on that person by way of suspension, striking off, cancellation of registration, or disqualification.
5: Despite subsections (3) and (4), the Disciplinary Tribunal may take into account, but to a minor degree, the personal circumstances of the person to whom the application relates.
6: Consideration of the personal circumstances of the person to whom the application relates must always be subordinated to the need to protect both the public and the standing of the profession.
7: If the Disciplinary Tribunal grants its consent, it may do so on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
249: Order for payment of costs
1: The Disciplinary Tribunal may, after the hearing of any proceedings, make such order as to the payment of costs and expenses as it thinks fit.
2: In particular, the Disciplinary Tribunal may order that costs be awarded to any person to whom the proceedings relate, and that those costs be paid—
a: by the New Zealand Law Society (if that person is a lawyer or a former lawyer or an incorporated law firm or former incorporated law firm or an employee or former employee of a lawyer or incorporated law firm); or
b: by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers (if that person is a conveyancing practitioner or a former conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or former incorporated conveyancing firm or an employee or former employee of a conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm).
3: In particular, without finding the person charged to be guilty, the Disciplinary Tribunal may, if it considers that the proceedings were justified and that it is just to do so, order that person to pay to the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers such sums as the Disciplinary Tribunal thinks fit in respect of the expenses of and incidental to the proceedings and any investigation of that person's conduct or of that person's affairs or trust account carried out by, or on behalf of, a Standards Committee or the Legal Complaints Review Officer.
4: In this section, expenses 1982 No 123 s 129
249A: Practice notes
1: The chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal may issue practice notes as he or she thinks fit.
2: The practice notes must not be inconsistent with this Act or any regulations made under it and are for the guidance of other members of the Disciplinary Tribunal, officers of the Disciplinary Tribunal, and parties before the Disciplinary Tribunal. Section 249A inserted 14 November 2018 section 130 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
250: Rules of procedure
1: The Disciplinary Tribunal may, from time to time, make rules, not inconsistent with this Act, in respect of the making, hearing, and determination of applications, inquiries, appeals, and other proceedings before it.
2: Rules under this section are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 s 130 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 250(2) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
251: Contempt of Disciplinary Tribunal
1: Every person commits an offence and is liable on
a:
b: wilfully interrupts or obstructs the proceedings of the Disciplinary Tribunal or otherwise misbehaves in the Disciplinary Tribunal; or
c: wilfully and without lawful excuse disobeys any order or direction of the Disciplinary Tribunal in the course of the hearing of any proceedings.
2: A member of the Disciplinary Tribunal may order the exclusion from a sitting of the Disciplinary Tribunal of any person whose behaviour, in that member's opinion, constitutes an offence against subsection (1), whether or not that person is charged with the offence; and any constable Section 251(1) amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011 Section 251(1)﻿(a) amended 14 November 2018 section 131 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 251(2) amended 1 October 2008 section 116(a)﻿(ii) Policing Act 2008
252: Power of Disciplinary Tribunal to determine procedure
Except as provided by this Act or by rules made under this Act, the Disciplinary Tribunal may determine its own procedure. 1982 No 123 s 108(6) Appeals
253: Appeal against order or decision of Disciplinary Tribunal
1: Any of the persons specified in subsection (2) may appeal to the High Court against any order or decision made under this Part by the Disciplinary Tribunal.
2: The persons who may appeal under subsection (1) are—
a: the practitioner or person to whom the order or decision relates:
b: a Standards Committee, if the proceedings before the Disciplinary Tribunal were brought by that committee:
c: the Legal Complaints Review Officer, if the proceedings before the Disciplinary Tribunal were brought by that officer:
d: in relation to the decision made on an application under section 248(1)
i: the applicant:
ii: the person to whom the application relates:
iii: the New Zealand Law Society, if the applicant is a lawyer or an incorporated law firm:
iv: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, if the applicant is a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm.
3: Every appeal under subsection (1)—
a: must be by way of rehearing; and
b: must be made within such time and in such form as may be prescribed by rules of court; and
c: must be heard in such manner as may be prescribed by rules of court.
4: On hearing an appeal under subsection (1), the High Court may confirm, reverse, or modify the order or decision appealed against. 1982 No 123 s 118
254: Appeal to Court of Appeal on question of law
1: Any party to an appeal under section 253(1) section 56
2: In determining whether to grant leave to appeal under this section, the Court of Appeal must have regard to whether the question of law involved in the appeal is one that, by reason of its general or public importance or for any other reason, ought to be submitted to the Court of Appeal for its decision.
3: The Court of Appeal, in granting leave under this section, may, in its discretion, impose such conditions as it thinks fit, whether as to costs or otherwise.
4: The decision of the Court of Appeal on any appeal under this section is final. 1987 No 74 s 116 Section 254(1) amended 1 March 2017 section 183(b) Senior Courts Act 2016
255: Order for striking off, cancellation of registration, restoration, or suspension to be filed in High Court
1: Where the Disciplinary Tribunal makes—
a: an order under section 242(1)﻿(c) or former lawyer
b: an order under section 242(1)﻿(d)
c: an order under section 242(1)﻿(e) or (f) or former practitioner
d: an order under section 246(3) the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal must ensure that the order is filed in the office of the High Court at Wellington.
2: Subject to subsection (3), on the filing of the order it takes effect as if it were an order of the High Court to the like effect made within the jurisdiction of the High Court.
3: If the order filed is an order made under section 242(1)﻿(c) or (d) section 253 or former practitioner
4: An order filed in the High Court under this section may be inspected by any person during office hours without payment of any fee.
5: If the person who is the subject of the order is a provider under the Legal Services Act 2011 1982 No 123 s 117 Section 255(1)﻿(a) amended 20 November 2012 section 20(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 255(1)﻿(c) amended 20 November 2012 section 20(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 255(3) amended 20 November 2012 section 20(3) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 255(5) added 1 July 2011 section 143 Legal Services Act 2011 Miscellaneous provisions
256: Notice of order for striking off, cancellation of registration, restoration, or suspension to be published in
Gazette
1: Where—
a: the Disciplinary Tribunal makes—
i: an order under section 242(1)﻿(c) lawyer or former lawyer
ii: an order under section 242(1)﻿(d)
iii: an order under section 242(1)﻿(e) or (f) or former practitioner
iv: an order under section 242(1)﻿(h)﻿(ii) or (iii)
b: no appeal to the High Court is commenced against the order within the time allowed for appeal,— the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal must, forthwith after the expiry of that time, publish in the Gazette
2: Where—
a: an appeal to the High Court against an order of the kind described in subsection (1) results—
i: in the name of a lawyer or former lawyer
ii: in the registration of a person as a conveyancer being ordered to be cancelled; or
iii: in the name of a practitioner or former practitioner
iv: in a practitioner or former practitioner
v: in an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm being made subject to an order of the kind described in section 242(1)﻿(h)﻿(ii) or (iii)
b: no appeal to the Court of Appeal is commenced against the determination of the High Court within the time allowed,— the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal must forthwith cause a notice stating the date and effect of the determination to be published in the Gazette
3: Where an appeal to the Court of Appeal against any determination of the High Court on an appeal under section 254
a: in the name of a lawyer or former lawyer
b: in the registration of a person as a conveyancer being ordered to be cancelled; or
c: in the name of a person being ordered to be restored to the register of conveyancers; or
d: in a practitioner or former practitioner
e: in an employee or former employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm being made subject to an order of the kind described in section 242(1)﻿(h)﻿(ii) or (iii) the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal must forthwith cause a notice stating the date and effect of the determination to be published in the Gazette
4: The expenses incurred in publishing a notice under this section must,—
a: if the notice relates to a lawyer or an employee or a former employee of a lawyer or an incorporated law firm, be paid by the New Zealand Law Society; or
b: if the notice relates to a conveyancing practitioner or an employee or former employee of a conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm, be paid by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers. 1982 No 123 s 119 Section 256(1)﻿(a)﻿(i) amended 20 November 2012 section 21(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 256(1)﻿(a)﻿(iii) amended 20 November 2012 section 21(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 256(2)﻿(a)﻿(i) amended 20 November 2012 section 21(3) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 256(2)﻿(a)﻿(iii) amended 20 November 2012 section 21(4) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 256(2)﻿(a)﻿(iv) amended 20 November 2012 section 21(4) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 256(3)﻿(a) amended 20 November 2012 section 21(5) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 256(3)﻿(d) amended 20 November 2012 section 21(6) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
257: Reimbursement of costs of hearing
1: Except where any regulations made under this Act otherwise provide, where the Disciplinary Tribunal hears a charge against any person,—
a: the New Zealand Law Society must, if that person is a lawyer or a former lawyer or an incorporated law firm or former incorporated law firm or an employee or former employee of a lawyer or incorporated law firm, pay into a Crown Bank Account the amount required to reimburse the Crown for the costs of the hearing; and
b: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must, if that person is a conveyancing practitioner or a former conveyancing practitioner or an incorporated conveyancing firm or former incorporated conveyancing firm or an employee or former employee of a conveyancing practitioner or incorporated conveyancing firm, pay into a Crown Bank Account the amount required to reimburse the Crown for the costs of the hearing.
2: The costs of the hearing—
a: include not only out-of-pocket expenses in relation to the hearing but also a reasonable sum in respect of—
i: the remuneration and allowances payable under clause 4
ii: the costs of the accommodation and the administrative and secretarial services provided to the Disciplinary Tribunal by the Ministry of Justice; but
b: do not include any part of the costs of the hearing that are, under any order made by the Disciplinary Tribunal, recovered by the Tribunal from any other person.
3: The amount payable under subsection (1)﻿(a) and the amount payable under subsection (1)﻿(b) are to be fixed in each case by the chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal. Section 257(1)﻿(a) amended 25 January 2005 section 65R(3) Public Finance Act 1989 Section 257(1)﻿(b) amended 25 January 2005 section 65R(3) Public Finance Act 1989
258: Enforcement of orders of Disciplinary Tribunal
1: Where the Disciplinary Tribunal, acting in accordance with this Act or any rules made under this Act, makes an order or otherwise exercises any power in respect of any person who is or was a practitioner, that order or other exercise of any power has effect whether or not that person remains a practitioner.
2: If the Disciplinary Tribunal, acting in accordance with this Act or any rules made under this Act, orders any person who is or was a practitioner or an incorporated firm or an employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm to pay a fine, expenses, or other monetary amount to the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, that amount is recoverable from that person by the society to which it is ordered to be paid as a debt due to that society, whether or not that person remains a practitioner or an incorporated firm or an employee of a practitioner or an incorporated firm.
2A: If the Disciplinary Tribunal, acting in accordance with this Act or any rules made under this Act, orders the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or any person to pay a fine, expenses, or other monetary amount to any other person, that amount is recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction from that society or person by that other person as a debt due to that person.
3: If the Disciplinary Tribunal makes an order under this Part, not being an order to which section 255 or, in the case of an order to pay any amount referred to in subsection (2) or (2A), in the office of any court of competent jurisdiction
4: On the filing of the order it takes effect as if it were an order of the court in which it was filed 1982 No 123 s 132 1996 No 39 s 13 Section 258(2A) inserted 14 November 2018 section 132(1) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 258(3) amended 14 November 2018 section 132(2) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 Section 258(4) amended 14 November 2018 section 132(3) Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
259: Annual report
1: The chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal must, in each year, furnish to the Minister and the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers a report on the performance of his or her functions under this Act.
2: The report must include details of both the number of determinations and the nature of the determinations made by the Disciplinary Tribunal in the period to which the report relates.
3: The Minister of Justice must present a copy of the report to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after it is furnished to the Minister.
260: Further provisions relating to Disciplinary Tribunal
The provisions of Schedule 4 Offences
261: Failure to comply with summons
1: Every person summoned under clause 6
a: fails to attend in accordance with the summons:
b: does not give evidence when required to do so:
c: does not give evidence under oath when required to do so:
d: does not answer any question that is lawfully asked by the Disciplinary Tribunal:
e: does not provide any documents, things, or information the summons requires the person to provide.
2: A person summoned to attend a hearing of the Disciplinary Tribunal is not to be convicted of an offence against subsection (1) unless witnesses' expenses are paid or tendered to that person in accordance with clause 7(4)
3: Every person who commits an offence against this section is liable on 1996 No 39 s 16 Section 261(3) amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
262: Obstruction
1: Every person commits an offence who wilfully obstructs, hinders, resists, or deceives any Standards Committee, investigator, or other person in the execution of any powers conferred on that Standards Committee, investigator, or other person by section 147 section 164 section 169 section 170 section 172 section 173
2: Every person commits an offence who wilfully obstructs, hinders, resists, or deceives the Legal Complaints Review Officer, or any person to whom any of the functions and powers of the Legal Complaints Review Officer have been delegated under this Act, in the performance of any of the functions, or the exercise of any of the powers, conferred on the Legal Complaints Review Officer or any such delegate by this Act.
3: Every person who commits an offence against this section is liable on Section 262(3) amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
262A: Offence of breaching suppression order
A person who breaches an order made under section 206A Section 262A inserted 14 November 2018 section 133 Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018
263: Publication
1: Every person commits an offence who, without lawful excuse, acts in contravention of any order made by the Disciplinary Tribunal under any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 240(1)
2: Every person who commits an offence against this section is liable on 1982 No 123 s 111(5) Section 263(2) amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
264: Liability of principal for acts of agent, etc
1: Where an offence is committed against any provision of sections 261 to 263
2: Where any body corporate is convicted of an offence against any provision of sections 261 to 263 1975 No 116 s 17
265: Time for filing charging document
Despite anything to the contrary in section 25 sections 261 to 263 Section 265 replaced 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011 Jurisdiction of High Court and Court of Appeal
266: Lawyer's name may be struck off on application to High Court
On application to the High Court in that behalf, the name of a person enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court under or by virtue of this Act section 267 1982 No 123 s 92 Section 266 amended 20 November 2012 section 22 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
267: High Court may dismiss application, or reserve case for Court of Appeal
1: When an application is made to the High Court for an order that the name of a person enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court under or by virtue of this Act
a: the High Court may, if it thinks fit, dismiss the application; or
b: if the High Court is of the opinion that the application ought to be granted, or that it is doubtful whether the application ought to be dismissed or granted, the High Court must reserve the case for the consideration of the Court of Appeal.
2: The High Court, if it reserves the case under subsection (1)﻿(b),—
a: must cause the application and all affidavits made in support of the application, and all other proceedings, to be sent forthwith to the Registrar of the Court of Appeal; and
b: may order that the person enrolled
3: If a case is reserved for the consideration of the Court of Appeal, that court—
a: must, as soon as practicable, consider the application and grant or dismiss it; and
b: may make such other order in respect of the application as it thinks fit. 1982 No 123 s 93 Section 267(1) amended 20 November 2012 section 23(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 267(2)﻿(b) amended 20 November 2012 section 23(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
268: Inherent jurisdiction of High Court
1: Nothing in this Act (other than sections 266 267 a person enrolled under or by virtue of this Act as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court (whether or not the person is practising as a barrister and solicitor, or as a barrister but not also as a solicitor)
2: Despite section 245 from practice a person enrolled under or by virtue of this Act as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court (whether or not the person is practising as a barrister and solicitor, or as a barrister but not also as a solicitor) 1982 No 123 s 94(1) Section 268(1) amended 20 November 2012 section 24(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012 Section 268(2) amended 20 November 2012 section 24(2) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
269: Notice of order for striking off or suspension to be published in
Gazette
1: This section applies if the Court of Appeal or the High Court makes—
a: an order that the name of a person enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court under or by virtue of this Act be struck off the roll; or
b: an order that a person enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court under or by virtue of this Act be suspended from practice.
2: The Registrar of the court in which the order is made must forthwith cause a notice stating the date and effect of the order to be published in the Gazette Section 269 replaced 20 November 2012 section 25 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
270: Jurisdiction of High Court not limited
Except as provided in this Part, nothing in this Part limits the jurisdiction of the High Court. 1982 No 123 s 138 General provisions
271: Legal professional privilege
Nothing in this Part limits or affects legal professional privilege.
272: Protection of New Zealand Law Society and New Zealand Society of Conveyancers and other persons
Neither the New Zealand Law Society nor the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, nor any member, officer, or employee of either of those bodies, is to be under any criminal or civil liability in respect of anything done or omitted to be done, or in respect of words spoken or written,—
a: at, or for the purposes of, any inquiry or the hearing of, or otherwise dealing with, any proceedings under this Part; or
b: in connection with any investigation of a practitioner's conduct or affairs or accounts for the purposes of this Part; or
c: in the publication of any report or statement relating to any proceedings before a Standards Committee or the Legal Complaints Review Officer or the Disciplinary Tribunal under this Part, in the exercise or purported exercise of any power conferred by this Act or any rules made under this Act to publish any such report or statement,— unless it is proved to the satisfaction of the court before which any proceedings are taken that the defendant in those proceedings acted in bad faith. 1982 No 123 s 137
8: New Zealand Council of Legal Education
273: Continuation and renaming of Council
1: This section continues in being the council continued in being by section 31(1)
2: On the commencement of this section, the council continued in being by subsection (1) is renamed the New Zealand Council of Legal Education.
3: The Council is a body corporate, with perpetual succession and a common seal, and, except as provided in this Act, has and may exercise—
a: all the rights, powers, and privileges, and may incur all the liabilities and obligations, of a natural person of full age and capacity; and
b: the power to do any other thing it is authorised to do—
i: by this Act; or
ii: by any other enactment; or
iii: by any rule of law.
4: The Council may not exercise any of its rights, powers, or privileges, except for the purpose of performing its functions.
5: Sections 153 to 156 1982 No 123 ss 31(1) 31A
274: Functions
The functions of the Council are,—
a: subject to this Act, to set the qualification and educational requirements for candidates for admission as barristers and solicitors of the High Court:
b: subject to this Act, to define, prescribe, and approve, from time to time and as it thinks fit, the courses of study required to be undertaken by candidates for admission as barristers and solicitors:
c: to arrange for the delivery of the courses of study referred to in paragraph (b) or to provide those courses where necessary:
d: to deliver courses of study in practical legal training for candidates for admission as barristers and solicitors or to license other persons to deliver those courses:
e: to arrange for the courses of study referred to in paragraph (b) to be monitored and assessed:
f: to prescribe, in relation to the admission of barristers and solicitors, mechanisms and criteria for—
i: the recognition of foreign qualifications, registration, and experience; and
ii: the recognition of qualifications for the purposes of the principle set out in section 15
g: to tender advice to the council of any university on any matter relating to legal education:
h: to inquire into, consider, and report to the Minister on any matter relating to legal education as the Minister may, from time to time, require. 1982 No 123 s 38(1)﻿(a)–(c), (e), (f)
275: Powers
1: The Council has all such rights, powers, and authorities as are necessary or expedient for, or conducive to, the performance of its functions.
2: Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the Council has, in addition to the powers conferred on it by this or any other Act, the following powers:
a: subject to this Act, to grant to any candidate for admission as a barrister and solicitor such credits (whether ad eundem
b: to encourage and, where the Council thinks it necessary or appropriate, to arrange provision for research and postgraduate study:
c: to charge any person or organisation any reasonable fees it thinks fit in respect of—
i: any matter the person or organisation submits to the Council for its consideration:
ii: any work or services the Council has done or performed for the person or organisation:
iii: enrolling for or sitting any examination conducted or proposed to be conducted by, or on behalf of, the Council.
3: The Council may, in exercising its powers under subsection (2)﻿(a),—
a: require that a candidate credited or exempted under subsection (2)﻿(a) must pass an examination in the law of New Zealand or in the practice of law in New Zealand or in both; and
b: set and conduct, or arrange for the setting and conducting of, any examination required for the purposes of paragraph (a). 1982 No 123 s 38(1)﻿(c), (d), (2), (3)
276: Consultation with New Zealand Law Society
The Council must consult the Council of the New Zealand Law Society—
a: in prescribing under section 274(f) a senior
b: in preparing the annual budget of the Council. Section 276(a) amended 1 March 2017 section 183(b) Senior Courts Act 2016
277: Levies
1: For the purpose of providing funds for the Council in accordance with its annual budget, the Council of the New Zealand Law Society must, in each year, by resolution, impose a levy or levies on all lawyers.
2: Subject to subsection (4), the levy or levies imposed under subsection (1) may not exceed in the aggregate, in any year in respect of any lawyer, an amount equal to 5% of the maximum practising fee payable by any lawyer for that year.
3: Any levy imposed under subsection (1) on any lawyer in any year is in addition to levies imposed on that lawyer in that year under section 74
4: The limitation imposed by subsection (2) does not apply in relation to any year if—
a: that limitation would prevent the levies being sufficient to provide the amount of funding sought by the Council in respect of that year; and
b: the Minister determines that, instead of that limitation, the levy or levies imposed under subsection (1) in respect of that year are not to exceed in the aggregate in respect of any lawyer an amount equal to such percentage as the Minister determines of the maximum practising fee payable by any lawyer for that year.
5: The proceeds of any levy imposed under subsection (1) must be paid by the New Zealand Law Society to the Council.
6: The amount of any levy imposed under subsection (1) is payable in such manner as the resolution prescribes or authorises and is recoverable on behalf of the New Zealand Law Society as a debt due to it.
7: A resolution under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 277(7) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
278: Power of Council to make regulations
1: Subject to this Act, the Council may, from time to time, by resolution, make, alter, or revoke any regulations not inconsistent with this Act that are necessary or expedient in respect of—
a: any course of study and the practical training and experience of candidates for admission as barristers and solicitors of the court:
b: any matters that by this Act are required or permitted to be prescribed, or with respect to which regulations are necessary or expedient for giving effect to the provisions of this Act, in relation to legal education.
2: Without limiting subsection (1), regulations made under that subsection may—
a: provide for the granting of credits or exemptions in special circumstances or in order to avoid hardship to any student:
b: provide for the licensing of persons to provide practical legal training for candidates for admission as barristers and solicitors of the High Court:
c: prescribe the terms and conditions on which persons may be licensed to provide practical legal training of the kind referred to in paragraph (b):
d: prescribe the standards to be observed, and the course prescriptions to be followed, in the provision of practical legal training of the kind referred to in paragraph (b):
e: provide for the courses of training provided by persons licensed to provide practical legal training of the kind referred to in paragraph (b) to be monitored and assessed:
f: provide for the expiry, cancellation, or withdrawal of licences issued under the regulations.
3: The Council may not make regulations under this section unless the Minister has approved the proposed regulations.
4: Regulations under this section are secondary legislation ( see Part 3
5:
6: 1982 No 123 s 39 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 278(3) replaced 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 278(4) replaced 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 278(5) repealed 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 278(6) repealed 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
279: Power of Council to make rules
The Council may, from time to time, by resolution, make, alter, or rescind any rules not inconsistent with this Act, for all or any of the following purposes:
a: prescribing the procedure to be followed at any meeting of the Council, or at any committee of the Council:
b: providing for the custody of its property and the use of its common seal:
c: prescribing the duties of its officers and other employees:
d: such other purposes as may be deemed necessary or expedient for duly carrying out the work of the Council or of any committee thereof.
280: Power to appoint committees
1: The Council may, from time to time, appoint standing or special committees, and may refer to any such committee any matters for consideration or inquiry or management.
2: The Council may, from time to time, either generally or particularly, delegate any of its powers and functions (including any powers and functions delegated to the Council by any other body or person) to any such committee or to any person.
3: Every delegation under this section must be in writing.
4: No delegation under this section may include—
a: the power to delegate under subsection (2):
b: the power to impose levies under section 277
c: the power to make regulations under section 278
d: the power to make rules under section 279
5: Subject to any general or special directions given or conditions imposed by the Council, the committee to which, or the person to whom, any delegation is made under this section may, without confirmation by the Council, exercise or perform the delegated powers or functions in the same manner and with the same effect as the Council could itself have exercised or performed them.
6: It is not necessary for any person who is appointed to be a member of any such committee or to whom any delegation is made to be a member of the Council.
7: Despite paragraph (a) of subsection (4), but subject to paragraphs (b) to (d) of that subsection, the Council may, with the consent of the council of any university in New Zealand, delegate to the council of that university any of the powers and functions of the Council, together with power to subdelegate any of the powers and functions so delegated.
8: Every delegation under this section is revocable at will; and no such delegation prevents the exercise or performance of any power or function by the maker of the delegation.
9: Until any such delegation is revoked, it continues in force according to its tenor. 1982 No 123 s 40
281: Institute of Professional Legal Studies
1: Subject to subsection (2), the Council—
a: must continue to maintain, as a committee of the Council, the committee known as the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (which committee is, at the commencement of this section, established under that name under section 40
b: must ensure that the Institute of Professional Legal Studies continues to provide practical legal training for candidates for admission as barristers and solicitors of the High Court.
2: The Council may, with the consent of the Minister,—
a: proceed to disestablish the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and any branches of that institute if the Council is satisfied that satisfactory arrangements can be made for the provision by other persons of the practical legal training required by candidates for admission as barristers and solicitors of the High Court; or
b: proceed—
i: to disestablish the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and any branches of that institute; and
ii: to establish or incorporate, or to join in establishing or incorporating, a body, whether corporate or not, that has, among other things, the capacity to carry out functions and activities comparable to those that, at the commencement of this section, are being discharged and carried out by the Institute of Professional Legal Studies; and
iii: to transfer to any body corporate of the kind referred to in subparagraph (ii), on such terms and conditions as the Council thinks fit, such of the funds of the Council and such of the other property of the Council as the Council considers appropriate, having regard to the manner in which the Council may be required to discharge its own functions; or
c: proceed—
i: to disestablish the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and any branches of that institute; and
ii: to sell, on such terms and conditions as the Council thinks fit, the business conducted by the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and its branches (if any), and all or any of the property of the Council used in that business, if the Council is satisfied that the purchaser has the capacity to provide the practical legal training required by candidates for admission as barristers and solicitors of the High Court.
282: Membership
1: The Council comprises—
a: 2 Judges of the High Court nominated by the Chief Justice:
b: a District Court Judge, nominated by the Chief District Court Judge:
c: 5 members nominated by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society:
d: the Dean of the Faculty or School of Law of each of the following universities, namely, the University of Auckland, the Auckland University of Technology,
e: 2 members nominated by the Council of the New Zealand Law Students' Association Incorporated:
f: 1 member (not being a practitioner or a law student) nominated by the Minister of Justice:
g: not more than 1 member nominated by the Council.
2: All members of the Council other than those referred to in subsection (1)﻿(d) are appointed by the Governor-General, on the advice of the Attorney-General. 1982 No 123 s 31(2), (3) Section 282(1)﻿(d) amended 20 November 2012 section 26 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
283: Term of office
1: Subject to section 284
2: Every appointed member is eligible for reappointment from time to time.
3: Where the term for which an appointed member has been appointed expires, that member, unless he or she sooner vacates office under section 284
a: that member is reappointed; or
b: a successor to that member is appointed; or
c: that member is informed in writing by the Attorney-General that the member is not to be reappointed and is not to hold office until a successor is appointed. 1982 No 123 s 32(1), (3)
284: Extraordinary vacancies
1: An appointed member of the Council may, at any time, be removed from office by the Governor-General for inability to perform the functions of the office, neglect of duty, or misconduct, proved to the satisfaction of the Governor-General.
2: An appointed member is deemed to have vacated his or her office if he or she is, under the Insolvency Act 2006
3: Despite subsection (1), if at any time an appointed member holds judicial office, he or she may not be removed from the office of appointed member, except for inability to perform the functions of the office, unless he or she is removed or suspended from his or her judicial office.
4: An appointed member may, at any time, resign his or her office by giving notice in writing to that effect to the Attorney-General.
5: If an appointed member dies or resigns or is removed from office, or is deemed to have vacated his or her office, the vacancy so created is deemed to be an extraordinary vacancy and must be filled in the manner in which the appointment to the vacant office was originally made.
6: Every person appointed to fill an extraordinary vacancy in the office of an appointed member must be appointed for the residue of the term for which the vacating member was appointed. 1982 No 123 s 33 Section 284(2) amended 3 December 2007 section 445 Insolvency Act 2006
285: Proceedings not affected by vacancies
No act or proceeding of the Council, or of any committee of the Council, or of any person acting as a member of the Council or any such committee, is invalidated merely because of a vacancy in the number of the Council or committee at the time of the act or proceeding, or of the subsequent discovery that there was some defect in the appointment of any person so acting, or that he or she was incapable of being or had ceased to be such a member. 1982 No 123 s 34
286: Chairperson
1: Subject to subsection (2), the Council may, from time to time, appoint one of its members to be the chairperson of the Council.
2: If the Chief Justice is a member, the Chief Justice is to be the chairperson unless he or she otherwise determines.
3: If the chairperson is an appointed member (other than the Chief Justice), he or she holds the office of chairperson while he or she remains in office as an appointed member, unless he or she sooner resigns the office of chairperson or is removed from that office by resolution of the Council.
4: If the Chief Justice is the chairperson, he or she vacates that office if he or she ceases to be a member of the Council or decides to cease being the chairperson of the Council.
5: If the chairperson is not an appointed member, he or she holds that office for such period as the Council determines or until he or she sooner ceases to be a member or resigns the office of chairperson or is removed from that office by resolution of the Council. 1982 No 123 s 35
287: Further provisions applying to Council
The provisions set out in Schedule 5
288: Annual report
1: The Council must, in each year, give the Minister a report on the operation of this Part.
2: The Council must include in every annual report the financial statements prepared by the Council, in accordance with Part 4
3: The Minister must present a copy of the report to the House of Representatives in accordance with section 150(3) 1982 No 123 s 42K
9: Lawyers and Conveyancers Special Fund
289: Lawyers and Conveyancers Special Fund
1: The New Zealand Law Society Special Fund, which was established by section 91B
2: Subject to subsection (3), the Special Fund is, by this Act, vested in the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers jointly and is to be held by those societies in trust for the purposes specified in this Part.
3: Until the whole of Part 5 1982 No 123 s 91B
290: Money payable into Fund
The Special Fund consists of—
a: all sums paid to, or on account of, the Special Fund by banks in accordance with section 302
b: any interest earned on any money from time to time in the Special Fund pending its application in accordance with this Part. 1982 No 123 s 91D
291: Separate bank account
All money belonging to the Special Fund must, pending its application or investment in accordance with this Part, be paid into a bank to the credit of a separate account to be called the Lawyers and Conveyancers Special Fund Account. 1982 No 123 s 91C
292: Management Committee
1: This section establishes a Management Committee for the Special Fund.
2: The Management Committee has the function of managing the Special Fund on behalf of the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers. 1982 No 123 s 91H
293: Membership of Management Committee
1: Subject to subsection (2), the Management Committee consists of—
a: 2 persons appointed by the New Zealand Law Society; and
b: 1 person appointed by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.
2: Until the whole of Part 5
3: One of the members appointed by the New Zealand Law Society must be appointed by the New Zealand Law Society as the chairperson of the Management Committee.
4: Each member of the Management Committee holds office at the pleasure of the society by which the member was appointed. 1982 No 123 s 91I(1)
294: Meetings of Management Committee
1: Meetings of the Management Committee are to be held at such times and places as the Management Committee or its chairperson appoints.
2: At every meeting of the Management Committee, the quorum necessary for the transaction of business is a majority of the total membership.
3: At all meetings of the Management Committee, the presiding member must be the chairperson if he or she is present. If he or she is not present, the members present must elect one of their number to preside at that meeting, and the member presiding has all the powers of the chairperson for the purpose of that meeting.
4: Every question before the Management Committee must be determined by a majority of the votes cast by the members present at the meeting.
5: The presiding member has a deliberative vote and, in the case of an equality of votes, also has a casting vote.
6: Subject to this Act and to any regulations made under this Act, the Management Committee may regulate its procedure in such manner as it thinks fit.
295: Bank accounts
1: The Management Committee must open and maintain at a bank or banks such accounts as are necessary for the performance and exercise of its functions and powers.
2: The withdrawal of money from any such accounts must be authorised in such manner as the Management Committee thinks fit.
296: Investment of money
Any money belonging to the Special Fund may, pending its application in accordance with this Part, be kept in an interest-bearing account at a bank, but may not otherwise be invested. 1982 No 123 s 91E
297: Audit of accounts
1: The accounts of the Special Fund must be audited annually by a qualified auditor
2: No person is qualified for appointment as an auditor of the accounts unless the person is a qualified auditor (within the meaning of section 35 Financial Reporting Act 2013 1982 No 123 s 91G(1) Section 297(1) amended 1 April 2014 section 126 Financial Reporting (Amendments to Other Enactments) Act 2013 Section 297(2) inserted 1 April 2014 section 126 Financial Reporting (Amendments to Other Enactments) Act 2013
298: Distribution of Special Fund
1: On the last working day of every month, all money standing to the credit of the Special Fund at the close of the previous day (other than any money required to meet the costs of administering the Special Fund) must be paid to the Secretary for Justice
2: The Management Committee may pay out of the Special Fund the costs of administering the Special Fund.
3: Those costs include the costs of—
a: auditing the accounts of the Special Fund; and
b: paying any reasonable travelling expenses incurred by members of the Management Committee in connection with the management of the Special Fund. 1982 No 123 s 91F(2), (3) Section 298(1) amended 1 July 2011 section 144 Legal Services Act 2011
299: Nominated trust accounts
1: Where a practitioner or incorporated firm is required by this Act to have trust accounts, those trust accounts must include at least 1 account nominated for the purposes of this Part.
2: A trust account nominated for the purposes of this Part is known as a nominated trust account.
3: A practitioner to whom, and an incorporated firm to which, subsection (1) applies must nominate 1 or more of the practitioner's or incorporated firm's trust accounts as a nominated trust account and must give notice of each such nomination to the bank at which the account is kept.
4: All the provisions of this Act, and all rules and regulations for the time being in force, relating to trust accounts and their audit apply to nominated trust accounts. 1982 No 123 s 91J
300: Money required to be held in nominated trust account
1: A practitioner to whom, and an incorporated firm to which, section 299(1)
a: is held by the practitioner or incorporated firm on behalf of any person; and
b: is money that the practitioner or incorporated firm is required to hold in a trust account; and
c: is money that it is not reasonable or practicable, for any of the reasons referred to in section 114(b)
2: Subsection (1) does not limit the circumstances in which money that is not money to which that subsection applies may be held in a nominated trust account. 1982 No 123 s 91K
301: Interest to be payable on nominated trust account
1: A bank at which a nominated trust account is kept must pay interest on the sums held in that account at the rate determined in accordance with subsection (2).
2: The rate of interest payable under subsection (1) by a bank in respect of a nominated trust account of a practitioner or incorporated firm must be—
a: the rate of interest paid by that bank, during the month immediately preceding the date on which the interest payable on that nominated trust account is to be calculated, in respect of funds deposited, at call, with that bank, on behalf of that practitioner's or incorporated firm's clients, in an interest-bearing account in that practitioner's or incorporated firm's name; or
b: if the bank held no such interest-bearing deposit account in that practitioner's or incorporated firm's name during that month, the rate of interest that would have been paid by that bank, during that month, in respect of the money in that nominated trust account if that money had been deposited, at call, in an interest-bearing deposit account at that bank.
3: Interest payable on a nominated trust account is payable on the daily balance of that account (as that account stands at the close of business of each day or, where the bank is not open for business on any day, at the close of that day), and must be calculated monthly.
4: Where the rate of interest required to be applied for the purposes of subsection (1) varies during any month, the rate of interest to be applied is to be the average rate of interest for that month (as determined in accordance with subsection (2)).
5: In lieu of all banking charges and fees that would otherwise be payable to it in respect of any nominated trust account, a bank is entitled to retain for its own use 40% of all interest payable by it on a nominated trust account. 1982 No 123 s 91L
302: Banks to pay interest on nominated trust accounts to Special Fund
1: Subject to section 301(5)
2: Where any bank makes any payment into the Lawyers and Conveyancers Special Fund Bank Account in accordance with subsection (1), that bank must forthwith provide to the Management Committee a return, in such form as the Management Committee may, from time to time, require, specifying—
a: the amount of the payment; and
b: in respect of each nominated trust account on which any interest comprised in the payment has been calculated,—
i: the amount of the money in that account on which that interest has been calculated; and
ii: the amount of the interest so calculated; and
iii: the method by which that interest was calculated, including the rate of interest. 1982 No 123 s 91M
303: Practitioners, incorporated firms, and banks not liable to account to client for interest payable on nominated trust account
No practitioner who, or incorporated firm that, deposits in a nominated trust account of that practitioner or incorporated firm any money received for, or on behalf of, any person, and no bank that holds any such money in any nominated trust account kept at that bank, is liable to account to any person other than the New Zealand Law Society or the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers or the Management Committee for any interest payable in respect of that money while it is held in any such account. 1982 No 123 s 91N
10: Fidelity Funds
304: Purpose
The purpose of this Part is—
a: to require the New Zealand Law Society to establish and maintain, by practice rules, a fidelity fund to provide for the compensation, in whole or in part, of persons who suffer pecuniary loss as a result of a claim event arising from the action of a person who is—
i: a lawyer to whom, or an incorporated law firm to which, this Part applies; or
ii: the agent of a lawyer to whom, or an incorporated law firm to which, this Part applies; and
b: to require the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to establish and maintain, by practice rules, a fidelity fund to provide for the compensation, in whole or in part, of persons who suffer pecuniary loss as a result of a claim event arising from the action of a person who is—
i: a conveyancing practitioner to whom, or an incorporated conveyancing firm to which, this Part applies; or
ii: the agent of a conveyancing practitioner to whom, or an incorporated conveyancing firm to which, this Part applies.
305: Interpretation
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,— agent
a: in relation to a lawyer,—
i: any person who is, in relation to the lawyer, a related person or entity:
ii: any agent, employer, or employee of the lawyer (whether or not that agent, employer, or employee is a lawyer):
iii: any agent or employee of a person who is, in relation to the lawyer, a related person or entity (whether or not that agent or employee is a lawyer):
iv: any partner or director or other person who controls or manages a body that is, in relation to the lawyer, a related entity:
b: in relation to a conveyancing practitioner,—
i: any person who is, in relation to the conveyancing practitioner, a related person or entity:
ii: any agent, employer, or employee of the conveyancing practitioner (whether or not that agent, employer, or employee is also a conveyancing practitioner):
iii: any agent or employee of a person who is, in relation to the conveyancing practitioner, a related person or entity (whether or not that agent or employee is also a conveyancing practitioner):
iv: any partner, director, or other person who controls or manages a body that is, in relation to the conveyancing practitioner, a related entity:
c: in relation to an incorporated firm,—
i: any director or shareholder of the incorporated firm:
ii: any person who is, in relation to a practitioner who is a director or shareholder in the incorporated firm, a related person or entity:
iii: any agent or employee of the incorporated firm (whether or not that agent or employee is a practitioner):
iv: any agent or employee of a person who is, in relation to a practitioner who is a director or shareholder of the incorporated firm, a related person or entity (whether or not that agent or employee is a practitioner) claim event section 306 de facto partner section 2C pecuniary loss regulatory society
a: the New Zealand Law Society; or
b: the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers theft sections 217 218 219 220 222 1982 No 123 s 171(2)
306: Claim event
1: For the purposes of section 304(a)
a: any money or other valuable property entrusted to that person in the course of the provision, or the purported provision, by that person of regulated services to the public; or
b: any money or other valuable property entrusted to any person of the kind described in section 304(a)﻿(i)
2: For the purposes of section 304(b) 1982 No 123 s 169(1)
307: Lawyers to whom, and incorporated law firms to which, this Part applies
1: This Part applies to—
a: every lawyer who—
i: is in practice on his or her own account; and
ii: provides regulated services to the public; and
iii: is a lawyer who is obliged by section 112(1)
b: every incorporated law firm that—
i: provides regulated services to the public; and
ii: is an incorporated law firm that is obliged by section 112(1)
c: every lawyer who is a director or shareholder of an incorporated law firm that, in the course of providing to the public services that are, in relation to a lawyer, regulated services,—
i: receives or holds in trust money or other valuable property on behalf of any person; or
ii: invests money for any other person; or
iii: receives money by way of fees or disbursements in advance of an invoice being issued.
2: Except as provided in subsection (3), this Part applies only to lawyers and incorporated law firms of the kind described in subsection (1).
3: Every lawyer who is in fact employed by a lawyer who provides regulated services to the public or by a firm of lawyers that provides regulated services to the public but who is held out as a partner of the lawyer or as a partner in the firm is deemed, for the purposes of this Part, to be providing regulated services to the public on his or her own account.
4: For the purposes of this Part, a lawyer is not to be treated as being a lawyer of the kind described in subsection (1) merely because he or she,—
a: in the course of his or her employment by a community law centre, provides to the public—
i: community legal services within the meaning of section 4(1)
ii: legal services within the meaning of section 4(1)
b: acts as an employee of the Ministry of Justice; or
c: provides to the public legal services within the meaning of the Legal Services Act 2011
d: provides to the public, in his or her capacity as an employee of Public Trust or of the Maori Trustee or of a trustee company, regulated services that his or her employer is entitled to provide to the public ; or
e: provides, in his or her capacity as an employee of an employer organisation, regulated services to that organisation or to a member of that organisation; or
f: provides, in his or her capacity as an employee of a union, regulated services to that union or to a member of that union. 1982 No 123 s 157 Section 307(4)﻿(a) substituted 1 July 2011 section 144 Legal Services Act 2011 Section 307(4)﻿(b) substituted 1 July 2011 section 144 Legal Services Act 2011 Section 307(4)﻿(c) substituted 1 July 2011 section 144 Legal Services Act 2011 Section 307(4)﻿(d) amended 4 August 2008 section 9 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008 Section 307(4)﻿(e) added 4 August 2008 section 9 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008 Section 307(4)﻿(f) added 4 August 2008 section 9 Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2008
308: Conveyancing practitioners to whom, and incorporated conveyancing firms to which, this Part applies
1: This Part applies to—
a: every conveyancing practitioner who—
i: is in practice on his or her own account; and
ii: provides regulated services to the public; and
iii: is a conveyancing practitioner who is obliged by section 112(1)
b: every incorporated conveyancing firm that—
i: provides regulated services to the public; and
ii: is an incorporated conveyancing firm that is obliged by section 112(1)
c: every conveyancing practitioner who is a director or shareholder of an incorporated conveyancing firm that, in the course of providing to the public services that are, in relation to a conveyancing practitioner, regulated services,—
i: receives or holds in trust money or other valuable property on behalf of any person; or
ii: invests money for any other person; or
iii: receives money by way of fees or disbursements in advance of an invoice being issued.
2: Except as provided in subsection (3), this Part applies only to conveyancing practitioners and incorporated conveyancing firms of the kind described in subsection (1).
3: Every conveyancing practitioner who is in fact employed by a conveyancing practitioner who provides regulated services to the public or by a firm of conveyancing practitioners that provides regulated services to the public but who is held out as a partner of the conveyancing practitioner or as a partner in the firm is deemed, for the purposes of this Part, to be providing regulated services to the public on his or her own account.
4: For the purposes of this Part, a conveyancing practitioner is not to be treated as being a conveyancing practitioner of the kind described in subsection (1) merely because he or she provides to the public, in his or her capacity as an employee of Public Trust or of the Maori Trustee or of a trustee company, regulated services that his or her employer is entitled to provide to the public.
309: Lawyers' Fidelity Fund
1: Subject to this Part, the New Zealand Law Society must make practice rules for the establishment, maintenance, and management of a fidelity fund to be known as the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund.
2: The rules must provide for the accounts of the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund to be audited annually by a qualified auditor (within the meaning of section 35
3: The Lawyers' Fidelity Fund is to be the property of the New Zealand Law Society and is to be held in trust for the purposes specified in this Part.
4: Practice rules under this section are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 ss 158(2) 162(1) The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 309(2) amended 1 July 2015 section 17 Financial Reporting Amendment Act 2014 Section 309(4) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
310: Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund
1: Subject to this Part, the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers must make practice rules for the establishment, maintenance, and management of a fidelity fund to be known as the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund.
2: The rules must provide for the accounts of the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund to be audited annually by a qualified auditor (within the meaning of section 35
3: The Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund is to be the property of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers and is to be held in trust for the purposes specified in this Part.
4: Practice rules under this section are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 ss 158(2) 162(1) The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 310(2) amended 1 July 2015 section 17 Financial Reporting Amendment Act 2014 Section 310(4) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
311: Rules
1: Practice rules made by a regulatory society for the establishment, maintenance, and management of a fund may be made for all or any of the following purposes:
a: establishing, maintaining, and managing the fund:
b: establishing a committee to manage the fund on behalf of the regulatory society:
c: appointing, or providing for the appointment of, an independent body to manage the fund on behalf of the regulatory society:
d: prescribing the functions and powers of any committee or body that is required under the rules to manage the fund on behalf of the regulatory society:
e: providing for the payment out of the fund of the costs of establishing, maintaining, managing, and administering that fund:
f: providing for the making of insurance arrangements in relation to the fund:
g: providing for the minimum size at which the fund is to be maintained if it is to be held out as a protection to clients of lawyers or conveyancing practitioners:
h: providing for the investment of money held in the fund:
i: subject to sections 320 321
j: fixing the maximum amount that may be paid out of the fund to an individual claimant by way of compensation, which amount may be an amount prescribed by the rules or an amount determined in accordance with a formula prescribed by the rules:
k: fixing the maximum amount of compensation that may, over a period of time specified in the rules, be paid out of the fund to all claimants, which amount may be an amount prescribed by the rules or an amount determined in accordance with a formula prescribed by the rules:
l: fixing both a maximum amount for the purposes of paragraph (j) and a maximum amount for the purposes of paragraph (k):
m: prescribing circumstances in which a claimant's right to compensation from the fund may be excluded or modified:
n: if the New Zealand Law Society is the regulatory society, exempting lawyers who practise in a class of organisation specified in the rules, or in an organisation named in the rules, from liability to pay contributions or levies to the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund:
o: if the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers is the regulatory society, exempting conveyancing practitioners who practise in a class of organisation specified in the rules, or in an organisation named in the rules, from liability to pay contributions or levies to the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund:
p: providing, if the New Zealand Law Society is the regulatory society, that no action of a lawyer exempted by rules made under paragraph (n) is to give rise to a claim to compensation from the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund:
q: providing, if the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers is the regulatory society, that no action of a conveyancing practitioner exempted by rules made under paragraph (o) is to give rise to a claim to compensation from the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund:
r: providing for any matter incidental to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) to (q) for which it is expedient to make rules to facilitate, assist, or further the purposes of this Part.
2: In this section, fund
a: in relation to a regulatory society that is the New Zealand Law Society, the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund; and
b: in relation to a regulatory society that is the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund.
3: Nothing in subsection (1) limits the generality of sections 309(1) 310(1)
312: Contributions to Lawyers' Fidelity Fund
1: Every lawyer to whom, and every incorporated law firm to which, this Part applies must pay into the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund contributions of such amounts as are from time to time prescribed by a resolution made by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society ( see
2: A resolution under subsection (1) may provide for the amounts of the contributions to differ in all or any of the following ways:
a: as between lawyers and incorporated law firms; and
b: as between different classes of lawyers; and
c: as between different classes of incorporated law firms.
3: The amount of every contribution payable under a resolution made under subsection (1)—
a: is payable on such date or dates and in such manner as is fixed by the resolution; and
b: is recoverable on behalf of the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund by the New Zealand Law Society as a debt due to that Society.
4: This section is subject to sections 314 317
5: Nothing in this section limits sections 311(1)﻿(n) 316
6: The Council may not prescribe amounts under subsection (1) unless the Minister has approved the proposed amounts.
7: A resolution under subsection (1) is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 312(1) amended 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 312(6) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 312(7) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
313: Contributions to Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund
1: Every conveyancing practitioner to whom, and every incorporated conveyancing firm to which, this Part applies must pay into the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund contributions of such amounts as are from time to time prescribed by a resolution made by the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers ( see
2: A resolution under subsection (1) may provide for the amounts of the contributions to differ in all or any of the following ways:
a: as between conveyancing practitioners and incorporated conveyancing firms:
b: as between different classes of conveyancing practitioners:
c: as between different classes of incorporated conveyancing firms.
3: The amount of every contribution payable under a resolution made under subsection (1)—
a: is payable on such date or dates and in such manner as is fixed by the resolution; and
b: is recoverable, on behalf of the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund, by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers as a debt due to that Society.
4: This section is subject to sections 315 317
5: Nothing in this section limits sections 311(1)﻿(o) 316
6: The Council may not prescribe amounts under subsection (1) unless the Minister has approved the proposed amounts.
7: A resolution under subsection (1) is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 313(1) amended 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 313(6) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Section 313(7) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
314: Power of New Zealand Law Society to impose extraordinary levy
1: The Council of the New Zealand Law Society may, by resolution, impose on lawyers to whom, or incorporated law firms to which, this Part applies an extraordinary levy, for payment into the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund, if, at any time,—
a: the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund is not sufficient, or, in the opinion of the Council of the New Zealand Law Society, having regard to any prospective claims or liabilities likely to be received or incurred, may not be sufficient, to satisfy the liabilities of the New Zealand Law Society in relation to the fund or to meet the costs of establishing, maintaining, managing, and administering the fund; and
b: the Minister approves both the imposition of an extraordinary levy by that resolution and the amount of that levy.
2: A resolution under subsection (1) may provide for the amounts of the extraordinary levy to differ in all or any of the following ways:
a: as between lawyers and incorporated law firms:
b: as between different classes of lawyers:
c: as between different classes of incorporated law firms.
3: The amount of every extraordinary levy imposed by a resolution made under subsection (1)—
a: is payable on a date or dates and in a manner to be fixed by the resolution; and
b: is recoverable on behalf of the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund by the New Zealand Law Society as a debt due to that Society.
4: This section is subject to section 317
5: Nothing in this section limits sections 311(1)﻿(n) 316
6: A resolution under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1982 No 123 s 167(1), (2) The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 314(6) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
315: Power of New Zealand Society of Conveyancers to impose extraordinary levy
1: The Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers may, by resolution, impose on conveyancing practitioners to whom, or incorporated conveyancing firms to which, this Part applies an extraordinary levy, for payment into the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund, if, at any time,—
a: the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund is not sufficient, or, in the opinion of the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, having regard to any prospective claims or liabilities likely to be received or incurred, may not be sufficient, to satisfy the liabilities of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers in relation to the fund or to meet the costs of establishing, maintaining, managing, and administering the fund; and
b: the Minister approves both the imposition of an extraordinary levy by the resolution and the amount of that levy.
2: A resolution under subsection (1) may provide for the amounts of the levy to differ in all or any of the following ways:
a: as between conveyancing practitioners and incorporated conveyancing firms:
b: as between different classes of conveyancing practitioners:
c: as between different classes of incorporated conveyancing firms.
3: The amount of every extraordinary levy imposed by a resolution made under subsection (1)—
a: is payable on a date or dates and in a manner to be fixed by the resolution; and
b: is recoverable on behalf of the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund by the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers as a debt due to that Society.
4: This section is subject to section 317
5: Nothing in this section limits sections 311(1)﻿(o) 316
6: A resolution under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication It is not required to be published LA19 s 73(2) Presentation It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 315(6) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
316: Contributions and levies
Contributions required, by a resolution made under section 312(1) section 313(1) section 314(1) section 315(1)
a: the total number of practitioners engaged in the practice in providing regulated services to the public; and
b: other relevant matters.
317: Election not to receive money or other valuable property in trust
1: No resolution made under any of the provisions of sections 312 to 315
2: A practitioner or incorporated law firm may not make an election under subsection (1) if he or she or it provides regulated services to the public and is a practitioner who, or an incorporated firm that, is obliged by section 112(1)
318: Making, expiration, and revocation of election under section 317
1: A practitioner who, or an incorporated firm which, makes an election under section 317(1)
a: must make that election in writing; and
b: must, as soon as practicable after making the election, deliver the election to the society by which his or her practising certificate is issued.
2: An election made under section 317(1)
3: An election made under section 317(1)
a: his or her practising certificate expires or otherwise ceases to be in force; or
b: the election is revoked by the practitioner.
4: A practitioner who makes an election under section 317(1)
5: An election made under section 317(1)
a: all of the persons who signed the election cease to hold practising certificates; or
b: the election is revoked.
6: A revocation of an election made under section 317(1)
319: Offence
A practitioner commits an offence and is liable on section 317(1) Section 319 amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011
320: Application of Lawyers' Fidelity Fund
1: Subject to this Part, the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund must be held and applied for the purpose of reimbursing persons who suffer pecuniary loss by reason of a claim event arising from the action of a person who is—
a: a lawyer to whom this Part applies; or
b: the agent of a lawyer to whom this Part applies.
2: No person is entitled to recover from the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund an amount greater than the balance of the loss suffered by that person after deducting from the total amount of that person's loss the amount or value of all money or other benefits received or receivable by that person from any source other than the fund in reduction of that person's loss, including any benefits received by reason of professional services rendered or disbursements paid by the defaulting lawyer or agent.
3: No money may be paid out of the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund as interest on the amount of any judgment obtained or of any claim admitted against the fund.
4: This section is subject to any rules made under paragraphs (j) to (l) of section 311(1) 1982 No 123 ss 169(1) 171(2), (3)
321: Application of Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund
1: Subject to this Part, the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund must be held and applied for the purpose of reimbursing persons who suffer pecuniary loss by reason of a claim event arising from the action of a person who is—
a: a conveyancing practitioner to whom this Part applies; or
b: the agent of a conveyancing practitioner to whom this Part applies.
2: No person is entitled to recover from the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund an amount greater than the balance of the loss suffered by that person after deducting from the total amount of that person's loss the amount or value of all money or other benefits received or receivable by that person from any source other than the fund in reduction of that person's loss, including any benefits received by reason of professional services rendered or disbursements paid by the defaulting conveyancing practitioner or agent.
3: No money may be paid out of the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund as interest on the amount of any judgment obtained or of any claim admitted against the fund.
4: This section is subject to any rules made under paragraphs (j) to (l) of section 311(1) 1982 No 123 ss 169(1) 171(2), (3)
322: No compensation in respect of money instructed to be invested
1: Neither the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund nor the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund is to be applied in paying compensation to any person for any loss relating to money that a practitioner or incorporated firm has been instructed to invest on behalf of that person.
2: Subject to subsection (3), for the purposes of this section, a practitioner or incorporated firm is instructed to invest money where a person—
a: who entrusts money to the practitioner or incorporated firm; or
b: for whom the practitioner or incorporated firm holds money,— instructs the practitioner or incorporated firm to invest all or some of the money in a specified investment or in an investment of the practitioner's or incorporated firm's choice.
3: A practitioner or incorporated firm is not instructed to invest money only because that practitioner or incorporated firm is instructed by a person—
a: to pay the money into an account with a bank in New Zealand:
b: to apply money on behalf of that person to give effect to a loan agreement where—
i: that person, being the lender, specifies the borrower to whom the money is to be lent; and
ii: that person, being the lender, has not been introduced to the borrower by the practitioner or incorporated firm for the purpose of making that loan, other than, where that person is a financial institution within the meaning of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989
iii: the practitioner or incorporated firm has not made or participated in the decision to approve the making of the loan other than by advising in respect of the terms and conditions of the loan agreement:
c: to apply money to give effect to any term of a conveyance to which that person is a party, other than a conveyance that is or gives effect to a loan agreement that does not come within the terms of paragraph (b).
4: If the practitioner is a lawyer, nothing in this section applies to money that the lawyer is authorised to invest in any case where the only authority for investing the money is given or is capable of being given by the lawyer pursuant to a power under—
a: the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988
b: a trust arising out of a deceased estate:
c: a trust created by a court order:
d: a trust for the benefit of 1 or more persons suffering from physical or mental disability.
5: In this section, a reference to a practitioner includes a reference to—
a: any agent of the practitioner:
b: any nominee of the practitioner:
c: any company—
i: of which the practitioner is a director within the meaning of Companies Act 1993
ii: of which the principal financial benefit or effective control is directly or indirectly vested in the practitioner or any spouse or civil union partner or de facto partner or child or children of the practitioner:
d: any other incorporated or unincorporated body (other than a listed issuer
i: in relation to which the practitioner occupies a position comparable to that of a director within the meaning of Companies Act 1993
ii: of which the principal financial benefit or effective control is directly or indirectly vested in the practitioner or any spouse or civil union partner or de facto partner or child or children of the practitioner.
6: In this section,— company
a: means a company registered under the Companies Act 1993
b: includes a company so registered in which the practitioner holds shares as a bare trustee, notwithstanding that he or she is entitled as a trustee to be remunerated out of the income or property of the trust; but
c: does not include a company so registered that is a listed issuer conveyance
a: a deed or agreement in writing—
i: for the sale and purchase of, or relating to, any interest in land or buildings, including a company lease within the meaning of section 2
ii: for the granting, in relation to any land or buildings, of a lease, tenancy, or licence to occupy, or for the sale and purchase or transfer or assignment of any such lease, tenancy, or licence:
iii: for the sale and purchase of a business (including its shares and securities) and for any leases, licences, or rights connected with the business:
iv: for the sale and purchase or lease of chattels, either separately or as part of an agreement to which subparagraph (i) or subparagraph (ii) or subparagraph (iii) applies:
b: any other assignment or settlement by deed. listed issuer section 6(1) 1982 No 123 s 169A Section 322(3)﻿(b)﻿(ii) amended 1 July 2022 section 300(1) Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 Section 322(5)﻿(c)﻿(i) amended 5 December 2013 section 14 Companies Amendment Act 2013 Section 322(5)﻿(d) amended 1 December 2014 section 150 Financial Markets (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2013 Section 322(5)﻿(d)﻿(i) amended 5 December 2013 section 14 Companies Amendment Act 2013 Section 322(6) company replaced 5 December 2013 section 14 Companies Amendment Act 2013 Section 322(6) company amended 1 December 2014 section 150 Financial Markets (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2013 Section 322(6) listed issuer inserted 1 December 2014 section 150 Financial Markets (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2013
323: Advances from fidelity fund for purposes of this Part
Without limiting the generality of sections 311(1)﻿(e) 320 to 322 1982 No 123 s 170
324: Claims against fidelity fund
1: A regulatory society may receive and settle any claim against a fidelity fund held by that regulatory society under this Part.
2: Such a claim may be received and settled at any time after the commission of the claim event in respect of which the claim arose.
3: No person may bring a claim against a fidelity fund held under this Part by a regulatory society unless notice of the claim is given in writing to the regulatory society or the fund's management committee within 12 months after the claimant has become aware of the claim event, or within such further time as the regulatory society or committee may in its discretion allow. 1982 No 123 ss 169(2) 171(1)
325: Defences to claims against fund
In any action brought against the New Zealand Law Society in relation to the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund or against the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers in relation to the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund, all defences that would have been available to the defaulting practitioner or agent are available to the society that holds the fund. 1982 No 123 s 172
326: Rights of subrogation
1: On payment out of the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund or the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund of any money in settlement in whole or in part of any claim under this Part, the society by which the money is paid is subrogated, to the extent of the payment, to all rights and remedies of the claimant against the practitioner or the agent of the practitioner in respect of whom the claim arose or, in the event of the death or insolvency or other disability of the practitioner or the agent of the practitioner, against his or her personal representatives or other persons having authority to administer his or her estate, and to all other rights and remedies.
2: A society to which subsection (1) applies may, by virtue of the rights conferred by that subsection,—
a: exercise, in its own name, all relevant rights of action and other legal remedies available against the defaulting practitioner or any other person in respect of the loss suffered by the claimant; and
b: if successful in any proceedings commenced pursuant to paragraph (a), be entitled to recover from the defaulting practitioner or any other person against whom the proceedings are successfully taken the costs incurred by the society in taking those proceedings. 1982 No 123 s 173
327: Money recovered by claimants to be held in trust if rights of subrogation apply
1: If a claimant against the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund recovers (other than from that fund) any amount by way of compensation for a loss in respect of which compensation (in whole or in part) is being claimed or has been claimed or received from that fund, the claimant must hold that amount in trust for the New Zealand Law Society for reimbursement of the fund and the costs incurred by that society.
2: If a claimant against the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund recovers (other than from that fund) any amount by way of compensation for a loss in respect of which compensation (in whole or in part) is being claimed or has been claimed or received from that fund, the claimant must hold that amount in trust for the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers for reimbursement of the fund and the costs incurred by that society.
328: Provisions applicable if fund insufficient to satisfy claims
1: No money or other property belonging to a regulatory society other than the fund held by it under this Part is available for the satisfaction of any judgment obtained against the society in relation to the fund, or for the payment of any claim allowed by the society.
2: Subject to section 329
3: A regulatory society may, in its absolute discretion, having regard to subsection (4), determine the order in which the judgments and claims so charged against the fund are to be satisfied, and may, if the amount accumulated is not sufficient to satisfy all such judgments and claims in full, satisfy any of them in whole or in part.
4: Without limiting the discretion of a regulatory society, in applying the fund towards the settlement of any such judgments and claims, it must have regard to the following rules:
a: it must take into consideration the relative degrees of hardship suffered or likely to be suffered by the several claimants in the event of their claims against the fund not being satisfied in whole or in part:
b: except in special circumstances, claims for amounts not exceeding $1,000 must be satisfied in full before claims for amounts exceeding $1,000 are satisfied to a greater extent than $1,000:
c: where all other considerations are equal, claimants are to have priority as between themselves according to the dates of the judgments or the dates when the claims were admitted by the society, as the case may be.
5: In this section, fund
a: in relation to a regulatory society that is the New Zealand Law Society, the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund; and
b: in relation to a regulatory society that is the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund. 1982 No 123 s 174(1), (2), (3), (4)
329: Power to rule off fund
1: The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, made on the recommendation of the Minister, rule off, from time to time, either the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund or the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund, and the fund to which the Order in Council applies will accordingly be ruled off on the date on which the Order in Council comes into force.
2: The Minister may not recommend the making of an Order in Council under subsection (1) in relation to a fidelity fund unless—
a: the regulatory society that holds that fidelity fund requests the Minister to recommend the making of an Order in Council under this section in relation to that fidelity fund; and
b: the Minister is satisfied, on the basis of a report provided under subsection (3), that the fidelity fund is not sufficient to meet—
i: all judgments obtained and claims allowed against the fidelity fund; and
ii: all other payments authorised under this Part, or rules made under this Part, to be made from the fund.
3: Any request made under subsection (2) by a regulatory society must be accompanied by a report from the council of the society.
4: The report under subsection (3)—
a: must state the reasons why the council making the report is of the opinion that rule off is desirable; and
b: must be accompanied by a report from an independent auditor outlining the basis for the opinion that rule off is desirable.
5: The Minister must, within 1 month after receiving a report under subsection (3), decide whether to recommend the making, under subsection (1), of an Order in Council in relation to the fidelity fund to which the report relates.
6: Subject to subsections (2) to (5), the Minister, on receiving a report made under subsection (3), has an absolute discretion to decide whether to recommend the making, under subsection (1), of an Order in Council in relation to the fidelity fund to which the report relates.
7: An order under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 329(7) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
330: Consequences of rule off
1: If a fidelity fund is ruled off by an Order in Council made under section 329(1)
a: must distribute the total amount of the fund at the time of rule off in accordance with subsection (2); and
b: must make all reasonable efforts to recover any amount owing to the fund at the time of rule off; and
c: must distribute, in accordance with subsection (2), any amounts recovered.
2: Any amount to be distributed under subsection (1) must be distributed as follows:
a: first, by paying all liabilities and administrative costs properly payable from the fund at the time of rule off; and
b: second, by distributing any residue that remains (after any amounts payable under paragraph (a) have been deducted) by paying, on a pro rata basis, all claimants who have, under subsection (3), payable claims.
3: Claims that are subject to pro rata distribution under subsection (2)﻿(b) are claims that, on the date the fund is ruled off,—
a: are claims that have been approved for payment by the regulatory society that holds the fund; or
b: are claims in respect of which judgment has been entered.
4: An Order in Council made under section 329(1)
331: Regulatory society may enter into contracts of insurance
1: Despite anything to the contrary in this Part, a regulatory society may, in its discretion, enter into any contract or contracts of insurance with any person or company carrying on fidelity insurance business in New Zealand, whereby the society will be indemnified to the extent and in the manner provided by the contract or contracts against liability to pay claims under this Part.
2: Any such contract of insurance may be entered into in relation to practitioners and incorporated firms generally or in relation to any practitioner or practitioners or incorporated firm or incorporated firms named in the contract.
3: No action lies against a regulatory society, or against any member or employee of a regulatory society or of the governing body of a regulatory society, or against any member of the management committee of a fidelity fund held by a regulatory society, for injury alleged to have been suffered by any practitioner or incorporated firm by reason of the publication in accordance with fact of a statement that a contract of insurance entered into under this section does or does not apply to that practitioner or incorporated firm.
4: If any contract of insurance is entered into by a regulatory society in respect of any specified practitioner or incorporated firm, the regulatory society must, on the application of any other practitioner or practitioners or incorporated firm or incorporated firms, enter into a like contract of insurance in respect of the last-mentioned practitioners or incorporated firms if the insurer signifies his or her or its willingness to enter into such a contract on like terms and conditions. 1982 No 123 s 175
332: Application of insurance money
1: No claimant against the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund or the Conveyancing Practitioners' Fidelity Fund has any right of action against any insurance company or other person with whom a contract of insurance is made under this Part in respect of that contract, or has any right to claim any money paid by the insurer in accordance with the contract.
2: All money so paid by the insurer must be paid into the fund and must be applied in or towards the settlement of relevant claims. 1982 No 123 s 176
11: Miscellaneous provisions
Conditional fee agreements
333: Definitions
For the purposes of this section and sections 334 335 conditional fee agreement normal fee premium
a: is payable only if the outcome of the matter to which the agreement relates is successful; and
b: is expressly provided for in the agreement; and
c: compensates the lawyer—
i: for the risk of not being paid at all; and
ii: for the disadvantages of not receiving payments on account; and
d: is not calculated as a proportion of the amount recovered.
334: Conditional fee agreements
1: A conditional fee agreement is not an illegal contract or an unenforceable contract by reason only of the fact that the remuneration the lawyer may receive under it is dependent on the outcome of the matter to which the remuneration relates if—
a: that remuneration is either—
i: a normal fee; or
ii: a normal fee plus a premium; and
b: the application of this section is not excluded by section 335
c: the agreement complies with such requirements (if any) as are prescribed by the practice rules.
2: If a conditional fee agreement is, by virtue of subsection (1), not an illegal contract or an unenforceable contract, a lawyer does not by entering into that agreement make himself or herself liable to proceedings founded on the tort of maintenance or the tort of champerty.
335: Exclusions
Section 334
a: criminal proceedings; or
b: proceedings under the Immigration Act 2009
c: review proceedings in respect of a statutory power of decision arising out of or under the Immigration Act 2009
d: proceedings in respect of which the Family Court
e: appeals from, or applications for judicial review made in relation to, decisions made in any of the proceedings described in paragraphs (a) to (d). Section 335(b) amended 29 November 2010 section 406(1) Immigration Act 2009 Section 335(c) amended 29 November 2010 section 406(1) Immigration Act 2009 Section 335(d) amended 1 March 2017 section 261 District Court Act 2016
336: Practice rules in relation to conditional fee agreements
1: Practice rules made by the New Zealand Law Society may prescribe requirements for the purposes of section 334(1)﻿(c)
2: The requirements prescribed pursuant to subsection (1)—
a: may, among other things, require the lawyer who is to provide the advocacy or litigation services to which the conditional fee agreement relates to provide information to the client before the agreement is made; and
b: may be different for different descriptions of conditional fee agreements (and, in particular, may be different for those that provide a success fee and those that do not). Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 s 58A(3) (UK) Unclaimed money in trust account
337: Unclaimed money in trust account
1: This section applies to—
a: money that is held in a regulated trust account by a lawyer or incorporated law firm:
b: money that—
i: has been paid, under section 164(2)
ii: is still held by the committee or society to which it was so paid.
2: Where any money to which this section applies is held on behalf of a person who cannot be found and has no known agent with the authority to receive the money, the person by whom the money is held may, if that person thinks fit, pay the money to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue and send to the Commissioner particulars of the payment and of the person on whose behalf the money was held; and the person by whom the money was held is thereupon relieved from all further liability in respect of the money so paid.
3: All money paid to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue under this section is to be deemed to have been so paid as unclaimed money, and section 11
4: Where a person has paid any money to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue under this section, the Commissioner may at any time require that person or any other person to give to the Commissioner all such information as the Commissioner may require in relation to the ownership of the money, including information as to the steps taken to trace the person on whose behalf the money was held.
5: Every person commits an offence against this Act and is liable on 1982 No 123 s 90 Section 337(5) amended 1 July 2013 section 413 Criminal Procedure Act 2011 Protection of Councils of New Zealand Law Society and New Zealand Society of Conveyancers and other persons
338: Councils and members, etc, not personally liable
1: Neither the Council of the New Zealand Law Society nor the Council of the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers nor any committee appointed by either Council, nor any member, officer, agent, or employee of either of those bodies is to be under any criminal or civil liability in respect of any act done or omitted to be done in the course of the performance or exercise or intended performance or exercise of any of their functions, duties, or powers under this Act or any regulations or rules made under this Act unless the Council or the committee or person has acted in bad faith.
2: Nothing in this section limits section 272 1982 No 123 s 189 Regulations
339: Regulations
1: The Governor-General may, from time to time, by Order in Council, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
a: prescribing forms for the purposes of this Act:
b: prescribing the duties of officers of the Disciplinary Tribunal, of the Registrar of the High Court, and of any other officers or persons acting in execution of this Act:
c: prescribing any act or thing necessary to supplement or render more effectual the provisions of this Act as to the conduct of proceedings before the Disciplinary Tribunal or the High Court:
d: prescribing the procedure in relation to the conduct of matters before the Disciplinary Tribunal:
e: prescribing procedures in relation to the issue of summonses to witnesses and to the hearing of evidence on oath:
f: prescribing charges or fees in relation to the functions of the Disciplinary Tribunal:
g: providing for such matters as are contemplated by or necessary for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act and for its due administration.
2: Regulations under this section are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 339(2) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Amendments to Real Estate Agents Act 1976
340: Meaning of real estate agent
Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s) OIC 2008-08-01 Section 3(2)﻿(a)
341: Repeal
Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s) Amendments to Land Transfer Act 1952
342: Interpretation
Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s)
343: Correctness of instrument to be certified
Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s)
344: Who may give certification
Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s)
345: Recovery of compensation paid and costs in case of fraud
Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s) OIC 2008-08-01 Section 175(1A) Schedule 1 Amendments to Land Transfer (Computer Registers and Electronic Lodgement) Amendment Act 2002
346: Interpretation
Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s)
347: Power to make electronic lodgement compulsory
Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s) Amendments to other enactments
348: Amendments to other enactments
The enactments specified in Schedule 6 OIC 2008-08-01 Care of Children Act 2004 Companies Act 1993 Copyright Act 1994 Corrections Act 2004 Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Act 1995 Customs and Excise Act 1996 Domestic Violence Act 1995 Evidence Amendment Act (No 2) 1980 Financial Transactions Reporting Act 1996 Gambling Act 2003 Housing Corporation Act 1974 Income Tax Act 2004 Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003 Juries Act 1981 Legal Services Act 2000 Patents Act 1953 Police Act 1958 Proceeds of Crime Act 1991 Proceeds of Crime Act 1991 Property (Relationships) Act 1976 Retirement Villages Act 2003 Securities Transfer Act 1991 Serious Fraud Office Act 1990 Social Security Act 1964 Summary Proceedings Act 1957 Tax Administration Act 1994 Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 Unclaimed Money Act 1971 Victims' Rights Act 2002 Repeals
349: Repeals
The enactments specified in Schedule 7 OIC 2008-08-01 Company Law Reform (Transitional Provisions) Act 1994 Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Act 2003 Department of Justice (Restructuring) Act 1995 Education Amendment Act 1990 Estate Duty Repeal Act 1999 Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand Act 1996 Law Practitioners Act 1982 Legal Services Act 2000 New Zealand Council of Law Reporting Act 1938 Postal Services Act 1998 Private Savings Banks (Transfer of Undertakings) Act 1992 Public Finance Amendment Act 1992 Public Finance Amendment Act 2004 Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 Transitional provisions in respect of complaints and disciplinary proceedings
350: Prohibition on complaints and investigations under Law Practitioners Act 1982
After the commencement of this section,—
a: no complaint may be made under section 98(1)
b: no complaint (other than a complaint received before the commencement of this section) may be referred, under section 98(2)
c: no investigation into any matter may be commenced under section 99
351: Complaints about conduct before commencement of section
1: If a lawyer or former lawyer or employee or former employee of a lawyer is alleged to have been guilty, before the commencement of this section, of conduct in respect of which proceedings of a disciplinary nature could have been commenced under the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 121(1)
2: Despite subsection (1), no person is entitled to make under this Act—
a: a complaint that has been disposed of under the Law Practitioners Act 1982
b: a complaint in respect of—
i: conduct that occurred more than 6 years before the commencement of this section; or
ii: regulated services that were delivered more than 6 years before the commencement of this section; or
iii: a bill of costs that was rendered more than 6 years before the commencement of this section.
3: For the purposes of subsection (2), a complaint is treated as having been disposed of under the Law Practitioners Act 1982
a: if a District Law Society, after considering the complaint, decided that the Society would not take any further steps or action on it and the complainant did not, within 3 months after the date on which the complainant was notified of the decision, refer to a Lay Observer, for examination, a written allegation concerning the District Law Society's treatment of the complaint; or
b: if a Lay Observer, after examining a written allegation made by the complainant concerning the District Law Society's treatment of the complaint, has not indicated in his or her report that he or she would be taking further steps or making further inquiries with regard to the allegation; or
c: if the New Zealand Law Society, after reviewing—
i: the consideration given by the District Law Society to the report or recommendation of the Lay Observer; and
ii: the action (if any) taken by the District Law Society in consequence of the report or recommendation of the Lay Observer,— decided not to refer the report or recommendation back to the District Law Society for further consideration; or
d: if any charge laid against a barrister and solicitor before either a District Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal or the New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal as a result of the complaint has been finally determined.
352: Penalty
1: If a complaint is made under this Act about conduct that occurred before the commencement of this section, any penalty imposed in respect of that conduct must be a penalty that could have been imposed in respect of that conduct at the time when that conduct occurred.
2: Despite subsection (1), the penalties that may be imposed in respect of conduct that occurred before the commencement of this section may, with the consent of the person on whom 1 or more of those penalties may be imposed, include (either in substitution for, or in addition to, any of the penalties that could have been imposed in respect of that conduct at the time when the conduct occurred) any of the penalties that could have been imposed under this Act in respect of that conduct if it had occurred after the commencement of this section.
353: Continuation of disciplinary proceedings and certain other proceedings
1: This section applies to the following proceedings:
a: all proceedings in relation to all investigations, inquiries, applications, appeals, and other proceedings of a disciplinary nature under the Law Practitioners Act 1982
b: all proceedings in relation to applications by practitioners for the restoration of their names to the roll which have been made before the commencement of this section under section 116
c: all proceedings which relate to the revision of bills of costs and which have been commenced but not completed under Part 8
2: The proceedings to which this section applies are, subject to sections 354 to 361 Law Practitioners Act 1982
354: Continuation of Lay Observers
1: Despite the repeals effected by this Act, every person who, immediately before the commencement of this section, holds office under section 96 section 120(4)
2: For the purposes of subsection (1), each Lay Observer to whom that subsection applies has all necessary powers and may exercise, despite the repeals effected by this Act, the powers conferred on a Lay Observer by the repealed enactments, which apply accordingly with all necessary modifications.
3: Sections 120 to 122
355: Exercise by Legal Complaints Review Officer of role of Lay Observer
1: If any proceedings to which section 353 section 354 Law Practitioners Act 1982
2: Despite subsection (1), sections 97(5), 97(6), 97(9), 97A District Law Society complaints service established under section 121(1) of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 by the New Zealand Law Society
356: Exercise by Lawyers Standards Committee of role of complaints committee
If any proceedings to which section 353 section 357 section 100
357: Exercise by Lawyers Standards Committee of role of District Disciplinary Tribunal
1: If any proceedings to which section 353 section 356 Law Practitioners Act 1982
2: Section 106(4) District Law Society New Zealand Law Society
358: Exercise by New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal of role of New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal
1: If any proceedings to which section 353 Law Practitioners Act 1982
2: Despite subsection (1), no conveyancer may sit as a member of the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal when it is carrying out the duties or exercising the powers of the New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
359: Appeal from decision of District Disciplinary Tribunal or Lawyers Standards Committee exercising powers of District Disciplinary Tribunal
1: Despite the repeals effected by this Act, an appeal to the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal may be brought under section 107 Part 7 section 357
2: An appeal under section 107 sections 356 357
a: the practitioner to whom the order or decision relates; or
b: the Standards Committee referred to in section 361(2)
3: Section 107(3) New Zealand Disciplinary Tribunal New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal
4: The Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 107
360: Appeal from decision of New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal or New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal
1: Despite the repeals effected by this Act, an appeal to the High Court may be brought under section 118 Part 7 section 58
2: An appeal under section 118 section 358
a: the practitioner or person to whom the order or decision relates:
b: the Standards Committee referred to in section 361(2)
i: brought by a District Council (within the meaning of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 100
ii: commenced by the referral of a charge to the New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal or the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal by a District Disciplinary Tribunal within the meaning of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 357
iii: by way of appeal against an order or decision of a District Disciplinary Tribunal (within the meaning of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 357
c: the Standards Committee referred to in section 361(2) section 58
3: The Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 118
361: Revision of practitioner's bill of costs
1: If a District Council within the meaning of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 Part 8 section 356 section 100
2: Section 143 A District Law Society The Lawyers Standards Committee appointed under section 356 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 to carry out the duties and exercise the powers of a complaints committee appointed pursuant to section 100 of the Law Practitioners Act 1982
3: Despite the repeals effected by this Act, an appeal to the Registrar (within the meaning of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 148
4: Section 148 a District Council the Standards Committee referred to in section 361(2) of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006
5: An appeal to the High Court against any decision of the Registrar under section 148 section 149 Transitional provision relating to Law Society inspectorate
362: Law Society inspectorate
1: Despite the repeal of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 88A(2)﻿(a)
a: continues to be, subject to his or her terms and conditions of employment and to subsection (6) of this section, a member of that inspectorate; and
b: is deemed to be, subject to his or her terms and conditions of employment and to subsection (6), a member of the Law Society inspectorate established by the New Zealand Law Society pursuant to regulations made under section 115
2: An inspector continued in office by subsection (1)﻿(a) may, in relation to any complaints made or proceedings commenced or reviews or investigations begun before the commencement of this Act, discharge his or her functions and duties under the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 91
3: For the purposes of subsection (2), each inspector to whom that subsection applies has all necessary powers and may exercise, despite the repeals effected by this Act, the rights and powers conferred on the Law Society inspectorate by any regulations made, before the commencement of this section, under section 91
4: Subsections (4) to (6) of section 88A
5: The Law Society inspectorate continued in office by subsection (1) must report on its operations to the Council of the New Zealand Law Society at such times and in such form as may from time to time be required by that Council.
6: The New Zealand Law Society may remove from the office to which subsection (1)﻿(a) relates or from the office to which subsection (1)﻿(b) relates or from both any inspector continued in office by subsection (1).
7: The repeal of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 88A(7) Transitional provisions relating to Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund
363: Continuation of Part 9 of Law Practitioners Act 1982
Despite the repeal of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 349 Part 9 Solicitors' Guarantee Fund Rules 1936 sections 364 to 369 section 370
364: Money payable into Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund
For the purposes of section 363 section 160
aa: all sums standing to the credit of the fund on the repeal of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 349 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006
a: all sums paid to or on account of the fund by solicitors, either as annual contributions or as levies, in accordance with this Part of this Act:
365: Claims in relation to Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund
1: No person has any claim against the Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund in relation to any theft committed on or after the date on which the repeal of the Law Practitioners Act 1982
2: No person has any claim against the Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund in respect of any theft committed before the date on which the repeal of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 Part 9
3: The last date for submitting a claim is the last day of the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which a report under section 367
366: Public notice of last day for making claims
1: The New Zealand Law Society must give public notice of the last date for submitting any claim against the Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund in respect of any theft committed before the date on which the repeal of the Law Practitioners Act 1982
2: The public notice under subsection (1) must be given at least twice before that last date, the first such notice being given not less than 3 months before that date and the second being given not more than 1 month and not less than 14 days before that date.
367: Winding up of Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund
1: If the Council of the New Zealand Law Society or the Management Committee appointed under Part 9
2: If, in the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the Council of the New Zealand Law Society or the Management Committee appointed under Part 9
3: After the expiration of the period of 12 months referred to in subsection (2), the Council of the New Zealand Law Society and the Management Committee appointed under Part 9
4: If—
a: no further claims against the Solicitor's Fidelity Guarantee Fund are received in the period referred to in subsection (2); or
b: the Council of the New Zealand Law Society or the Management Committee appointed under Part 9 the New Zealand Law Society must so inform the Minister and submit to the Minister its final report and final audited accounts in respect of the Fund.
5: The Minister may, on receiving that report and those accounts, recommend to the Governor-General the making of an Order in Council declaring that the Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund is deemed to be wound up.
6: An order under subsection (5) is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 367(6) replaced 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021
368: Completion of determination of claim
1: For the purposes of section 367
a: the Council of the New Zealand Law Society or the Management Committee within the meaning of Part 9
b: either—
i: the claimant does not, in the manner prescribed by subsection (2) or subsection (3), lodge an objection to the determination within 90 days after the date on which a copy of the determination is given to the claimant; or
ii: any objection lodged, in the manner prescribed by subsection (2) or subsection (3), is finally disposed of.
2: If, before a copy of the determination is given to the claimant, the claimant has commenced proceedings against the New Zealand Law Society in relation to the claim, the claimant may,—
a: if the originating document in relation to the proceedings has been served on the New Zealand Law Society before the copy of the determination is given to the claimant, lodge an objection to the determination only by serving on the New Zealand Law Society a written notice stating that the claimant both objects to the determination and intends to proceed with the proceedings; or
b: if the originating document in relation to the proceedings has not been served on the New Zealand Law Society before the copy of the determination is given to the claimant, lodge an objection to the determination only by serving that document on the New Zealand Law Society.
3: In any case to which subsection (2) does not apply, the claimant may lodge an objection to the determination only by commencing proceedings against the New Zealand Law Society in relation to the claim and serving a copy of the originating document in relation to those proceedings on that society.
4: If the claimant lodges, in accordance with subsection (2) or subsection (3), an objection to the determination, the determination is not to be treated as having been fully dealt with until the proceedings commenced by the claimant have been finally disposed of or discontinued.
369: Application of Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund on winding up
1: From the commencement of the date on which the Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund is deemed to be wound up, any remaining assets of the fund cease to be held by the New Zealand Law Society in trust for the purposes appearing in Part 9
2: The residue of the fund and any other money produced by the realisation of the other remaining assets of the fund must be applied as follows:
a: one-third must be paid into the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund to be held and applied as part of that fund:
b: the other two-thirds must be held in trust by the New Zealand Law Society to be applied by that society in carrying out its functions under section 66
370: Repeal of provisions relating to Solicitors' Fidelity Guarantee Fund
1: Sections 363 to 369
2: This section comes into force on a date to be appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council.
3: An order under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 OIC s 363 to 369 Awaiting another OIC for the repeal of these sections to come into force. Commencement Order (SR 2008/182) did not effect the enforcement of repeal of these sections The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 370(3) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Transitional provisions relating to barristers and solicitors
371: Persons deemed to have been admitted as barristers and solicitors
Despite the repeal of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 Transitional provisions relating to dissolution of District Law Societies
372: Continuation and dissolution of District Law Societies
Despite the repeal of the Law Practitioners Act 1982
a: continues in being under its current rules until the close of the period of 6 months beginning with the date of the commencement of this section; but
b: is dissolved as from the close of the period of 6 months beginning with the date of the commencement of this section.
373: Assets and liabilities of District Law Societies
1: If the members of any District Law Society to which section 372 Incorporated Societies Act 1908
2: If the assets and liabilities of a District Law Society to which section 372
3: The assets vested by subsection (1) in an incorporated society do not include any records of the kind referred to in section 379(1)
374: Power to transfer assets of District Law Society library
1: A District Law Society to which section 372 section 373(1) section 26(2)
2: The bodies to which assets may be transferred under subsection (1) are as follows:
a: a District Law Society to which section 372
b: an incorporated society named in a resolution passed under section 373(1)
i: by the members of the District Law Society by which the transfer is made; or
ii: by the members of any other District Law Society to which section 372
c: the New Zealand Law Society.
3: Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a transfer made under subsection (1) by a District Law Society may be made—
a: with or without consideration or for an inadequate consideration, and upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the District Law Society and the body to which the assets are being transferred; and
b: whether or not the members of the District Law Society have passed a resolution under section 373(1)
4: A transfer may be made under subsection (1) by a District Law Society only if its assets—
a: exceed its liabilities; and
b: will, at the time when the transfer takes effect, exceed its liabilities.
5: A transfer made under subsection (1) does not operate to affect the rights existing at the time of the transfer of any creditor of the District Law Society, whether secured or unsecured, and such rights are, if necessary, to enure against the transferee.
375: Power of incorporated society to provide law library
1: If the assets of a District Law Society that become, under section 373(1) section 26(2)
2: Every library provided and maintained under subsection (1) is to be for the use of the High Court and such other courts as the governing body of the incorporated society so named directs, and of lawyers, and must be managed as that governing body directs. 1982 No 123 s 26(2), (3)
376: Power to contribute to funding of law libraries
1: The New Zealand Law Society may from time to time, in the period of 5 years beginning with the close of the period of 6 months referred to in section 373(1) section 375(1)
2: For the purposes of sections 67 73(3) 74
377: Members to have no right to property on dissolution of incorporated society
1: If, under section 373(1)
2: Nothing in the Incorporated Societies Act 1908
378: Consequential provisions in relation to assets, money, and property
1: Where, under section 373
a: any real and personal property of that District Law Society that becomes, as from the close of the period of 6 months beginning with the date of the commencement of section 373
b: all money payable to the District Law Society becomes, as from the close of the period of 6 months beginning with the date of the commencement of section 373
c: all proceedings pending by or against the District Law Society may, as from the close of the period of 6 months beginning with the date of the commencement of section 373
2: The property vested by subsection (1) in an incorporated society does not include any records of the kind referred to in section 379(1)
379: Records relating to regulatory activities
1: Every District Law Society to which section 372 Law Practitioners Act 1982
a: the admission and enrolment of barristers and solicitors:
b: the striking off the roll, or the restoration to the roll, of the names of practitioners:
c: the removal of the name of any practitioner from the roll of barristers and solicitors:
d: the issue and currency of practising certificates as barristers, or as barristers and solicitors:
e: the withholding of practising certificates as barristers, or as barristers and solicitors:
f: the suspension from practice of practitioners practising within the District Law Society's district:
g: the payment of practising fees:
h: the commission of offences against the Law Practitioners Act 1982
i: the exercise under sections 70 to 78
j: the operation of Part 5
k: the operation of Part 6
l: the operation of Part 7
m: the operation of Part 8
n: the operation of Part 9
2: Where any records of the kind referred to in subsection (1) are the property of a District Law Society, those records become the property of the New Zealand Law Society as from—
a: the date on which they are transferred to the New Zealand Law Society pursuant to subsection (1); or
b: if they are not transferred to the New Zealand Law Society before the dissolution of the District Law Society, as from the close of the period of 6 months beginning with the date of the commencement of section 372
3: In this section, document
a: any writing on any material:
b: any information recorded or stored by means of any tape-recorder, computer, or other device, and any material subsequently derived from information so recorded or stored:
c: any label, marking, or other writing that identifies or describes any thing of which it forms part, or to which it is attached by any means:
d: any book, map, plan, graph, or drawing:
e: any photograph, film, negative, tape, or other device in which 1 or more visual images are embodied so as to be capable (with or without the aid of some other equipment) of being reproduced.
380: Administration of solicitor's trust account
1: If a District Law Society to which section 372 section 82
2: Any money paid to the New Zealand Law Society under subsection (1) is to be held by that Society on the same basis as it was held by the District Law Society, and sections 82 84
381: Solicitor's records and documents
1: If a District Law Society to which section 372 section 83
2: Any records, documents, or postal articles transferred to the New Zealand Law Society under subsection (1) are to be held by that Society on the same basis as they were held by the District Law Society, and sections 83 84
382: Certain matters not affected by transfer of assets and liabilities
Nothing effected or authorised by this Act—
a: is to be regarded as placing a District Law Society, or an incorporated society, or the New Zealand Law Society, or any other person in breach of contract or confidence or as otherwise making any of them guilty of a civil wrong; or
b: is to be regarded as giving rise to a right for any person to terminate or cancel any contract or arrangement or to accelerate the performance of any obligation; or
c: is to be regarded as placing the District Law Society, or an incorporated society, or the New Zealand Law Society, or any other person in breach of any enactment or rule of law or contractual provision prohibiting, restricting, or regulating the assignment or transfer of any property or the disclosure of any information; or
d: is to release any surety wholly or in part from any obligation; or
e: is to invalidate or discharge any contract or security.
383: Employees
Where, under section 373
a: as from the close of the period of 6 months beginning with the date of the commencement of section 373
b: the terms and conditions of the employment of each transferred employee with the incorporated society or the New Zealand Law Society, as the case may require,—
i: are, as from the close of the period of 6 months beginning with the date of the commencement of section 373
ii: are, subject to any enactment, law, or determination relating to those terms and conditions, also to be capable of variation in the same manner as the general terms and conditions of employment of other persons employed by the incorporated society or the New Zealand Law Society, as the case may require, are capable of variation; and
c: a transferred employee is not entitled to receive any payment or other benefit by reason only of his or her ceasing by virtue of this Act to be an employee of the District Law Society; and
d: nothing in this Act, other than paragraph (c), affects any rights or liabilities under any provident, benefit, superannuation, or retirement fund or scheme relating to employees of the District Law Society.
384: Final accounts of District Law Societies
1: Where the assets and liabilities of a District Law Society become, by virtue of section 373
2: If that body is an incorporated society, it must send a copy of the final accounts, together with a copy of the report of the auditor on those accounts, to the Minister and the New Zealand Law Society.
3: If that body is the New Zealand Law Society, it must send a copy of the final accounts, together with a copy of the report of the auditor on those accounts, to the Minister.
385: References to President of District Law Society
Unless the context otherwise requires, and subject to the provisions of this Act, every reference in any other enactment or in any deed or other document to the President of a District Law Society must, after the dissolution of that District Law Society, be read as if it were a reference to the President of the New Zealand Law Society. Transitional provisions relating to New Zealand Law Society
386: Members of New Zealand Law Society
Despite the repeal of the Law Practitioners Act 1982 section 3(2)
387: Officers of New Zealand Law Society
Every person who, at the commencement of this section, holds office as President, Vice-President, President-elect, or Treasurer of the New Zealand Law Society, or as a member of the Council of the Society or as a member of any committee of the Council of the Society, continues, unless he or she sooner vacates office otherwise than by effluxion of time, to hold that office until his or her successor comes into office in accordance with the Society's constitution. Transitional provisions relating to landbrokers
388: Rights of landbrokers
1: This section applies to every person who, immediately before the date on which this Act received the Royal assent, held a licence as a landbroker under section 229
2: A person to whom this section applies is entitled to be registered as a conveyancer if, within the period of 12 months beginning with the date of the coming into force of the rules that, as required by section 82
a: a person to whom this section applies; and
b: a fit and proper person to be registered as a conveyancer.
3: Every licence as a landbroker that is held under section 229 section 232
a: the registration of that person as a conveyancer; or
b: the close of the period of 12 months referred to in subsection (2).
4: Nothing in this Act prevents a person to whom this section applies from acting as a landbroker in the period beginning with the date on which this Act received the Royal assent and ending with the earlier of—
a: the registration of that person as a conveyancer; or
b: the close of the period of 12 months referred to in subsection (2).
5: Nothing in sections 32 33 35
a: providing conveyancing services in New Zealand and describing himself or herself as a conveyancing practitioner, conveyancer, or landbroker:
b: using, in connection with his or her business, employment, or profession, any words, initials, abbreviations of words, symbols, or representations intended or likely to cause any other person to believe that the person is qualified to undertake conveyancing:
c: providing conveyancing services to any other person for gain or reward.
6: A person to whom this section applies ceases to be such a person if his or her licence as a landbroker is revoked under section 232
389: Repeal
1: Section 67 section 388(2) Section 67 of the Land Transfer (Computer Registers and Electronic Lodgement) Amendment Act 2002 is repealed as from the close of the period of 12 months after the date of commencement of the rules providing for the registration of conveyancers. Section 67
2: Sections 229 to 234 section 67(2)
a: the registration of that person as a conveyancer under this Act; or
b: the close of the period of 12 months referred to in section 388(2) Transitional provision relating to New Zealand Society of Conveyancers
390: Exercise of regulatory functions of New Zealand Society of Conveyancers
1: The Governor-General may, in any Order in Council that appoints a date for the commencement of the provisions of sections 79 81 82
2: For the purpose of performing the functions conferred on it by an order made under subsection (1), the New Zealand Law Society may, at any time in the period specified in the order, exercise any of the regulatory powers conferred on the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers by this Act (including, in particular, the powers conferred on that society by sections 81 82
3: The period specified in the order made under subsection (1)—
a: is to begin on the date appointed by that order for the commencement of sections 79 81 82
b: subject to subsection (4), is to end on such date as is specified in that order as the date on which that period is to end.
4: The Governor-General may, from time to time, alter any period specified in the Order in Council made under subsection (1) by appointing an earlier date or a later date for the end of that period.
5: An order under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 cl 32(1)﻿(a) Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 390(5) inserted 28 October 2021 section 3 Secondary Legislation Act 2021 Transitional provisions relating to Disciplinary Tribunal Heading repealed 20 November 2012 section 27(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
391: Appointment of members of Disciplinary Tribunal
Section 391 repealed 20 November 2012 section 27(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
392: Quorum
Section 392 repealed 20 November 2012 section 27(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012
393: Power to alter period
Section 393 repealed 20 November 2012 section 27(1) Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Act 2012