The Law Society has continued its strong engagement in law reform and advocacy over the past quarter, making 12 submissions on Bills and 24 on government discussion documents. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring that legislation is principled, proportionate, and responsive to the needs of both the profession and the wider public.
Recent submissions included a response to the Law Commission’s issues paper on hate crime, where we emphasised the need for robust justification before introducing new criminal offences. On the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, the Law Society supported efforts to reduce compliance burdens for low-risk trusts, while cautioning against overly broad regulatory definitions and prescriptive supervisory requirements.
We also addressed Inland Revenue’s paper on taxation in the not-for-profit sector, noting that tax policy must be guided by clear principles rather than concerns over competitive neutrality. In relation to the Regulatory Systems (Occupational Regulation) Bill, the Society supported amendments to streamline the complaints process under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act. We also raised constitutional concerns over the proposed extension of parliamentary terms, and called for improved safeguards in the management of extreme threat prisoners.
Beyond submissions, the Law Society has worked closely with the judiciary on reforms to the High Court Rules, the creation of a Commercial List for Auckland, and new protocols for remote participation. We continue to engage on courthouse safety and security, and have provided feedback on the proposed AML/CFT Industry Levy, ahead of further reforms expected before 2028.