Law Society of New Zealand Aotearoa has accepted in principle the proposal for an independent regulator. This proposal comes from the independent Review Report carried out recently into the future structure of regulation in New Zealand. The primary recommendation from the review was the creation of an independent regulator, as the current structure of regulation…
Law Society of New Zealand warns lawyers about the use of ChatGPT
The Law Society of New Zealand has warned lawyers about the use of AI chatbot ChatGPT for obtaining basic legal guidance and information. While the chatbot has access to a lot of online legal material and can draft legal documents quickly, its responses have been labelled imperfect and problematic. The article also highlights the regulatory…
New Zealand Law Society has released the independent review panels report
The Law Society of New Zealand Aotearoa has published the report of the independent panel review. The conclusion of the report suggests that while the current model the Law Society employs for regulating and representing lawyers’ functions well in some areas, it falls short in many others. Chief among these shortcomings in the inability of…
The New Zealand Law Society publishes its Regulatory Strategy 2022-2025 ‘Navigating the Future’
The strategy aligns with the findings and decisions from the Independent Review of the statutory framework for lawyers, which has been commissioned to examine the regulation and representation of legal services in Aotearoa New Zealand, this includes the structure and functions of the Law Society. The key shifts made in the new regulatory strategy are:…
The consultation period for the New Zealand Law Society’s review of the statutory framework for legal services is now open
The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa welcomes the release of the Independent Review Panel’s Discussion Document. The Independent Review of the statutory framework for legal services in Aotearoa New Zealand was commissioned in 2021 by the Law Society Board to examine the regulation and representation of legal services in Aotearoa…
The New Zealand Law Society launches an independent review of the statutory framework governing legal services
The New Zealand Law Society has commissioned an independent review of the regulatory framework governing legal services to examine the regulation and representation of legal services in Aotearoa New Zealand, including the structure and functions of the Law Society. This review has been described as a ‘once in a generation’ review. The Independent Review will…
Close Contact Scheme for critical justice sector workers in close contact with COVID patients rolled out in New Zealand
The Ministry of Justice and Courts New Zealand has outlined a Close Contact Scheme for critical justice sector workers in close contact with COVID patients. Workers who cannot execute their work remotely will be allowed to continue their work if they apply for the Close Contact Exemption Scheme as long as they: are fully vaccinated…
Trade Mark Infringement and Artificial Intelligence
Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are starting to alter the way in which consumers shop for and purchase goods and services. This exploratory article examines some of the implications the increasing use of AI technologies may have to the law of trade mark infringement under New Zealand’s Trade Marks Act 2002. Trade mark infringement is…
The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has issued final guidance on reporting requirements under the Conduct and Client Care Rules
The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has issued guidance on reporting requirements under the Conduct and Client care Rules. The rules came into force in July 2021 and attempt to clarify the behaviour expected of lawyers. The main goal of these guidelines is to tackle bully, harassment and discrimination in…
New Zealand sees first pro-bono legal portal open
The New Zealand Ministry of Justice has funded NZ’s first pro-bono portal, connecting lawyers with people in need of legal assistance. Te Ara Ture is New Zealand’s first pro-bono legal service aimed at helping Kiwi’s who cannot normally afford to enlist the help of legal professionals. The software takes referrals from the community and through…