NEW ZEALAND LAW SOCIETY NZLS EST 1869
Practising Certificate I certify that Joe Blogs is enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 and is entitled to practise as a Barrister & Solicitor until 30 June 2013.
ID: 123456 Date of issue: 25 May 2012
Christine Grice Executive Director
Profession remains strong Practising certificate renewals have risen slightly for the 2012-13 practising year. At 25 June, 10,551 lawyers had renewed their practising Lisa Attrill certificates compared to 10,446 in 2011-12. The New Zealand Law Society Registry is always looking for ways to improve its renewal process and is grateful to lawyers who used the online renewal platform and gave feedback on improvements for next year. Changes will be made based on the feedback it has received. An example of an improvement suggested by lawyers was making it clear that completing the fit and proper declaration online constitutes the application for renewal. “The renewal process is a crucial part
of maintaining an up-to-date register of lawyers and reminding them of their obligations,” New Zealand Law Society Registry Manager Lisa Attrill says. “At the same time, we understand the pressure lawyers are under and are always looking for ways to make the system more streamlined.” Lawyers are also reminded not to leave changes in details until the renewal process. The Law Society must be advised as soon as lawyers’ employment and contact details change. This can easily be done online at www. lawsociety.org.nz/home/for_ lawyers/forms/forms/registry_ lawyer_change_of_details. “Undertaking the renewal of practising certificates is a mammoth task. It is important for the profession’s reputation it is done correctly,” Ms Attrill says. “However, it simply wouldn’t be possible without the continued cooperation and engagement of lawyers.”
Didn’t renew? The Law Society Registry informs Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), the Ministry of Justice, and the courts of lawyers known to have been in private practice and offering services directly to the public but who have not renewed their practising certificates. LawTalk publishes the names of those lawyers who have not informed Registry of their intention not to renew. Lawyers who did not renew by 30 June may apply for a practising certificate at any time. Once issued, the certificate is effective from the date of renewal and not from the date at which their previous certificate lapsed. In effect, they have a gap in practice and in that period they may not give legal advice. LT
LAWTALK 799 / 6 JULY 2012
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