Law Society confirms move to new national office in July

The peak legal body had to move out of its office after it was deemed unsafe

Law Society confirms move to new national office in July

Editor's note: the Law Society said in November that instead of moving to 10 Brandon St, the organisation will remain at its current location, Customs House on 17 Whitmore St.

The nation’s peak legal body has confirmed that it will move into a new national office in July.

The move will happen a year after parts of the New Zealand Law Society’s office at 26 Waring Taylor Street in Wellington were deemed unsafe in case of an earthquake.

“I am delighted to announce that the Law Society’s new Wellington office will be at 10 Brandon Street. The building is currently being strengthened to 130% of the National Building Standard (NBS) which will mean we can provide staff, lawyers, members of the public and other stakeholders with a safe, modern, welcoming, environment,” said Helen Morgan-Banda, the society’s executive director.

Morgan-Banda said that the society’s staff members have displayed commitment and resilience to continue to deliver services during a challenging time.

Staff members from the national office, Wellington Branch, and NZLS CLE Ltd have been in temporary offices, as well as working from home, since the finding from the detailed seismic assessment of the old national office.

The Law Society said that its board has approved the sale of its old Waring Taylor Street office, with the sale process commencing in next year. It owns the building, but the land it sits on is on leasehold, it said.