Lawyers sought for abuse in state care inquiry panel

Lawyers are being sought for the panel approved to provide legal assistance in The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions, according to the New Zealand Law Society.

The inquiry is investigating what happened to children, young people, and vulnerable adults in care between 1950 and 1999. Under Section 18 of the Inquiries Act 2013, persons who wish or are required to appear before an inquiry can be provided legal assistance in the form of legal representation or legal advice, or both.

Panel lawyers are to provide legal assistance that includes the preparation of witness statements, submissions and procedural applications, and representation at public hearings. The inquiry is seeking lawyers from across New Zealand to form the panel.

Panel members are to be paid a set hourly rate matching litigation experience and maximum fees for the work required and approved, the Law Society’s report said. The inquiry seeks expressions of interests from lawyers at all levels – from senior to intermediate to junior lawyers. Senior lawyers are those that have at least nine years of litigation experience, while intermediate and junior lawyers are those that have four to nine and two to four years of litigation experience, respectively.

Interested lawyers should ideally have inquisitorial litigation experience. Lawyers with experience in criminal, family, or health and disability law will also have an advantage. The inquiry is also looking for lawyers who can take instructions and prepare witness statements from people from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

The inquiry is also looking for lawyers with a commitment to the principles of the inquiry,  including an awareness of social justice issues, particularly those faced by survivors of abuse, their whanau and communities, the Law Society said. Lawyers are also required to have awareness of and sensitivity to the diversity of New Zealand society, including of tikanga Māori and Te Reo Māori.

Interested lawyers should explain why they meet these criteria in their expressions of interest, which they must send to [email protected], along with a curriculum vitae,  until 13 September.