NZLS releases annual report to justice minister

Other key statistics highlighted in the report include:

• practising certificate holders totalled 17,009
• 1,231 complaints were opened and 1,123 complaints closed
• 28 Disciplinary Tribunal decisions were made, with two lawyers struck off
• over 1,000 lawyers attended 27 hui held across the country
• 9,805 lawyers attended 293 events across branches
• 92 law reform submissions were made
• volunteers totalled 1,242
• NZLS CLE hosted 30 webinars, 43 live stream events, and 12 in-person conferences
• regulatory services income totalled $31m (earmarked solely for use on regulatory functions)
• member services recorded a deficit of $3.4m

Rusbatch explained that having to face-to-face meetings with lawyers at the hui was “valuable”. She also highlighted efforts to advocate for legal aid and access to justice,

“Our Cost of Practice Report highlights the financial pressures faced by legal aid providers”, she said.

Rusbatch touted the Law Society’s contributions to legislative reform and its defence of members of judiciary.

“There is amazing work happening and it’s not just to make the world a better place for lawyers. It’s to make the world a better place for New Zealanders”, she said.