9 October 2015 · LawTalk 875
Dr Matthew Palmer QC (Convenor) A Wellington barrister, Dr Palmer is one of New Zealand’s leading experts in public law. He specialises in litigation and advice challenging/ defending decisions of government, Crown entities and public bodies. He has served as Deputy Solicitor-General (Public Law), Deputy Secretary for Justice (Public Law), Manager and Economic & Financial Analyst at the Treasury, as well as being Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of Law, and Director of the New Zealand Centre for Public Law, at Victoria University of Wellington for five years. He has written several books and many articles and chapters on New Zealand public law and law and economics, winning the Legal Research Foundation prizes for the best book in New Zealand law in 2008 and the best article in New Zealand law in 2005 and 2006. He has taught law at the Victoria University, Hong Kong University, Yale Law School (where he also gained his doctorate), the Australian and New Zealand School of Government and the University of Chicago.
Members Matthew Andrews, Nick Crang, Elana Geddis, Jason McHerron, Stephanie Winson, Nicolette Butler, Jessica Gorman and Olga Ostrovsky.
Rule of Law Committee The Rule of Law Committee monitors and responds to rule of law issues and assists the legal profession in meeting its fundamental obligation to uphold the rule of law (as set out in s4(a) of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006). The committee is actively involved in monitoring the rule of law in New Zealand and overseas, and its work demonstrates the Law Society’s strong commitment to the rule of law.
Austin Forbes QC (Convenor) A former New Zealand Law Society President, Mr Forbes has been convenor of the Rule of Law Committee since its inception in 2007. He is a Christchurch-based barrister practising in commercial and civil litigation. In 1997, he was awarded a CNZM (Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to the legal profession. From 1991 to 1997, Mr Forbes was a member of the Law Society Board, serving as Vice-President from 1991 to 1993 and President from 1994 to 1997. From 1997 to 2000, he was a member of the executive committee and council of LAWASIA.
Tax Law Committee The Tax Law Committee makes submissions on proposed changes to tax law. The committee maintains an ongoing dialogue with Inland Revenue, making submissions on issues papers, public rulings, interpretation statements, “Questions We’ve Been Asked” and other projects that the Inland Revenue seeks consultation on.
Neil Russ (Convenor) Mr Russ leads Buddle Findlay’s tax practice. He specialises in corporate and international tax issues, as well as structured transactions. In addition to his tax expertise Mr Russ has a multi-jurisdictional background in banking and capital markets transactions. He has been a member of the Tax Law Committee since 2003, and was appointed convenor in 2013. Mr Russ is also Jurisdictional Council Member for New Zealand of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, and is a member of the International Fiscal Association, LAWASIA and the Taxation Institute of Australia.
Members Geoffrey Clews, Shaun Connolly, Barney Cumberland, Maria Deligiannis, Mike Lennard, Mathew McKay, Bevan Miles, Graeme Olding, Stephen Tomlinson, Tony Wilkinson, Katherine Ewer, Kirsty Keating and Andrew Ryan.
Youth Justice Committee The Youth Justice Committee monitors proposals that affect the operation of the youth justice system, including proposed legislative reforms.
Vicki Thorpe (Convenor) Admitted in 1984, Ms Thorpe practised as a solicitor and partner at Chrisp Caley & Co. She set up sole practice in 1994 focusing at that time on criminal and family law in Gisborne and now has a mixed practice of criminal law, family law, lawyer for child, youth advocate, mental health advocate and mediator. Ms Thorpe has practised as lawyer for child since 1987 and in the Rangatahi Court since its inception. She has been a member of the Youth Justice Committee since 2009. She has been a member of the Litigation Skills faculty since 2003.
Members Clare Bennett, Helen Bowen, Don Kennedy, La-Verne King, Soana Moala and Rebecca Plunket. ▪
Members Gregor Allan, Isaac Hikaka, Professor Philip Joseph, Sir Geoffrey Palmer QC and James Wilding.
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