The group highlighted the lack of disciplinary measures against judges as a key issue
A new organisation, the New Zealand Lawyers Protection Association (NZLPA), has been established to support lawyers who experience mistreatment, bullying, or unfair targeting within the legal system.
The association aims to address what it describes as a growing issue of judicial misconduct and systemic power imbalances that disadvantage legal professionals, particularly court-appointed and legal aid lawyers.
According to the NZLPA, many lawyers face daily challenges from errors and inefficiencies within the court system. The organisation argued that while other court officials, such as police, probation officers, and public defence service members, have institutional backing, independent lawyers often lack support when facing adversity. The NZLPA asserted that this situation creates a culture where lawyers become scapegoats for systemic issues beyond their control.
According to NZLPA, many court lawyers work alone or with minimal resources and support. The larger legal organisations designed to assist them are often too bureaucratic or closely linked to government agencies, leaving these lawyers without effective advocacy when they face unfair treatment.
One of the NZLPA’s primary concerns is what it described as an increasing trend of judicial bullying. While the association acknowledged that most judges act fairly, it claimed that the actions of a small number have created a work environment of fear and intimidation. Lawyers, particularly junior and legal aid counsel, may feel pressured to tolerate mistreatment to avoid jeopardising their careers.
The association highlighted the lack of disciplinary measures against judges as a key issue. Citing judicial complaint statistics, the NZLPA pointed out that while thousands of complaints have been filed over the years, very few have resulted in formal disciplinary action.
The organisation emphasises that there is no formal procedure to discipline judges for misconduct. It pointed out that even the United Nations Commission on Human Rights criticised New Zealand for this in 2000.
The NZLPA aims to protect lawyers facing unfair treatment. It intends to advocate for fair disciplinary procedures, ensure proportionality in sanctions, and support lawyers dealing with stress and career-threatening challenges. The organisation also hopes to work collaboratively with the judiciary, courts, and other legal entities to promote accountability and fairness.
