how to become a lawyer in nz

What qualifications do you need to be a lawyer in NZ?

To become a lawyer in New Zealand, you are required to: complete a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) or LLB (Honours) degree approved by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education complete a Professional Legal Studies Course obtain a Certificate of Completion from the NZCLE, and be admitted to the roll ...

How do I become a barrister in New Zealand?

To qualify as a lawyer you need to do the practical course, commonly known as ‘profs’. You can do it through either the College of Law or Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS). Completion of this course allows you to be admitted to the roll of …

How do I become a solicitor in New Zealand?

Prescribed Manner. All applications need to be completed digitally using the below PDF forms and submitted electronically by email to legalaidprovider@justice.govt.nz along with any supporting information. To read and complete PDF files from our website, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Can a lawyer from overseas practice in New Zealand?

Complete the Professional Legal Studies Course at either the Institute of Professional Legal Studies or College of Law. Overseas trained lawyers may be exempted from this, once their qualifications and experience have been assessed by the NZCLE. Obtain a certificate of completion from the NZCLE. Obtain a certificate of character from the NZLS.

How long does it take to become a lawyer in NZ?

To become a lawyer you will first need your Law degree: a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB (Hons)). An LLB can be obtained from a university: Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Victoria Canterbury or Otago. The LLB on its own usually takes four years of full-time study.

What qualifications do I need to be a lawyer NZ?

To become a lawyer in New Zealand, you are required to:complete a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) or LLB (Honours) degree approved by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education.complete a Professional Legal Studies Course.obtain a Certificate of Completion from the NZCLE, and.More items...

How much do lawyers make in NZ?

How much does a Lawyer make in New Zealand? The average lawyer salary in New Zealand is $91,212 per year or $46.78 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $68,587 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $121,687 per year.

How much is a Law degree in NZ?

New Zealand residents who enroll in a law degree pay $5,798 for a year of study. Because government subsidies may not be available for international students, these fees may increase for those studying from another country. To get the most current fee schedule, students should contact the university of their choice.

Are lawyers in demand in New Zealand?

Demand for experienced solicitors has increased in commercial and insurance law due to high levels of construction, corporate investment, and a strong property market. Between 2011 and 2017 the number of solicitors grew by 11.8% to over 11,000. According to the Census, 11,865 solicitors worked in New Zealand in 2018.

What is the highest paying job in NZ?

15 Best highest paying jobs in NZS NoJobsSalary Range1Information Technology ManagerNZ$107,000 - $150,000 per year2Building and Construction ManagerNZ$95,000 - $170,000 per year3Information Technology ArchitectNZ$112,000 - $155,000 per year4Marketing ManagerNZ$80,000 - $200,000 per year11 more rows

What is the lowest paying job in NZ?

The lowest paid jobs in New Zealand, relative to qualifications and experience, are all in the services sector, with hotel receptionists, waiters/waitresses and bar staff regularly being rated right at the bottom of the scale.

What is the best law school in New Zealand?

The University of Auckland Law SchoolNew Zealand's top ranked law school at the country's top-ranked university. The University of Auckland Law School is ranked in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject as the best place to study law in New Zealand based on academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact.

How much do junior lawyers make NZ?

What is the Pay by Experience Level for Junior Solicitors? An entry-level Junior Solicitor with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of NZ$44,114 based on 10 salaries.Jan 30, 2022

Can I study law online in NZ?

Our highly practical Diploma in Law sets you up to explore new career opportunities or enhance your current role. The online component of the Diploma will allow you to fit your studies around work and family commitments. Credit completed Diploma papers towards your first and second years of a Bachelor of Laws.

Is becoming a lawyer hard?

The challenging years of law school The process of becoming a lawyer isn't for the faint of heart. The BLS reports that it typically takes seven years of full-time postsecondary education to become a lawyer. This breaks down to four years for a Bachelor's degree, followed by three years of law school.Jun 2, 2017

Where can I study law in NZ?

Auckland Law School is the top-ranked law school in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of the best law schools in the world (QS World University Rankings in Law, 2020). The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a four-year (eight-semester) degree if you are studying full-time.

Admitted but no practising certificate

Anyone admitted as a barrister and solicitor may carry out some legal services, but there are activities that only lawyers holding a practising certificate can undertake.

Lawyers from other jurisdictions

Lawyers from overseas may provide some legal services while practising in New Zealand, subject to restrictions in the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 and other relevant New Zealand laws.

Legal Executive Diploma

A legal executive is a person who works as a trained assistant to a lawyer in a legal or quasi-legal environment.

How long does it take to become a lawyer in Australia?

Studying law in Australia or New Zealand. In Australia, you’ll spend a minimum of four years studying to become a lawyer. You’ll pursue one of two degrees: a 4-year Bachelor of Law degree (LLB) or a combined LLB (5+ years). In New Zealand, an LLB takes four years to complete, and a combined LLB takes five.

How long does it take to become a solicitor in the UK?

The LPC usually takes two years to complete, plus another two-year training contract. The BPTC takes about a year, plus another year of pupillage (apprenticeship).

Why do people choose to study law?

Many students choose law because they want to help people, groups, organizations, or companies solve challenging problems and manage their legal issues. Here are some other reasons students choose to study law. Lawyers are in demand, and their jobs will not likely disappear anytime soon.

Do I need to take the bar exam after law school?

After you graduate from law school in the US, you only need to take the bar exam. Usually, you sit the ethics portion of the exam before your final year of law school and then take the second portion (which includes the multi-state bar exam and a state-specific exam).

Why do lawyers make a difference?

Most students who pursue law have a strong sense of justice. They want to improve the system and the lives of those affected by the system. Lawyers can make significant changes to the legal system.

How long does it take to get a law degree?

Before law school, students must complete a Bachelor’s degree in any subject (law isn’t an undergraduate degree), which takes four years. Then, students complete their Juris Doctor (JD) degree over the next three years.

How long does it take to get an LLB in the UK?

You can get an LLB in the UK in three years. Studying in Australia/New Zealand takes at least four years to get a law degree. Finally, the US requires at least seven years of education to graduate with a law degree. Bottom line, if you want to obtain a law degree as quickly as possible, get your degree in the UK.

How to become a lawyer in New Zealand?

To become a lawyer in New Zealand students must first complete an undergraduate degree at university in Law, known as an LLB. The majority of students choose to undertake this as their first degree, however, if you already have a degree then you can often skip the first year, known as Part I. Find an LLM in NEW ZEALAND.

What is the legal system in New Zealand?

New Zealand's legal system is based on the Common Law system and the process to become a lawyer is. similar to many other Common Law nations. The difference is that the level of recognition given to foreign-trained lawyers and undergraduate law degrees gained outside of New Zealand is higher than in other countries.

How long is the LLB course in New Zealand?

This course takes 13 weeks to complete on a full-time basis and it builds on the legal knowledge gained during the LLB and gives students the additional knowledge to practice law.

How to get a certificate of character in New Zealand?

To do this you must apply to your local Law Society with a form and disclose any criminal convictions. You will also need to include referee reports and your local Law Society will advertise your name in the local media. This means that anyone with an objection to your admission to the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand will have time to place their objections.

How long does it take to become a barrister?

It takes around 16 weeks from application for a Certificate of Character from the Law Society to admission to the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court. To become a barrister you must have significant experience practising as a solicitor already.

Can a foreign lawyer practice in New Zealand?

Some foreign-trained lawyers can practice in New Zealand under certain circumstances. For example, a foreign trained lawyer can appear in a New Zealand court if their expertise in another country's law is required or they can practice in that country's law in New Zealand. Otherwise, unless their Law degree is recognised by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education, foreign-trained lawyers have to complete parts of a New Zealand LLB course and then continue to membership of the Law Society of New Zealand. The portions of the LLB that need to be completed are decided on assessment by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education.

Sealing of order

If you wish to hold a practising certificate in the future, you should seek to have the order for admission sealed and retain a copy. If you require a copy to be returned to you then you must file in duplicate. Please use the form LA 5 for that purpose.

If you hold a current practising certificate in Australia

If you are qualified under s49 (4) (under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997), you must apply directly to the High Court, using the form LA 4.

If you have an overseas law qualification

If you have an overseas law qualification but are not entitled to practise in another jurisdiction, you must apply to the NZCLE for an assessment of your qualifications.

Applying for a practising certificate

Once you have been admitted you can apply to the Law Society for a practising certificate.

Refusal of certificate of character or completion

If you are refused a certificate of completion and/or a certificate of character, you may use the processes set out in Rule 6 of the Admission Rules.

What is a lead provider?

The lead provider is responsible for all work undertaken on the legal aid cases that are assigned to them. Supervised provider approval is granted to applicants who haven’t yet demonstrated they have the required knowledge, experience and skill to be approved as a lead provider.

What is limited approval?

Limited approval is granted to applicants who wish to seek approval for a proceeding or type of proceeding. This approval is granted to provide continuity of services, because of their specialist skills and experience or a shortage of existing providers with the necessary skills and experience.

How much do solicitors make?

Pay for solicitors varies depending on their experience, what organisation they work for, and what region they work in. Graduate solicitors usually earn $42,000 to $45,000 a year. Solicitors with two to four years' experience usually earn $45,000 to $70,000. Solicitors with more than three years' experience usually earn $70,000 to $250,000.

What do solicitors do?

Solicitors may do some or all of the following: give legal advice to clients, including families, businesses and individuals. research and study details of the law and examine legal arguments. prepare legal documents such as wills and affidavits. prepare and advise on paperwork for property or business deals.

What is artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence software has been created that can find evidence for cases, prepare contracts, identify fraud, research, and make legal decisions. These tasks are usually a large part of what solicitors do. In the short term, technology may help solicitors with their work but in the long term it may replace the paperwork solicitors do. This could lead to job losses.

Sealing of Order

• If you wish to hold a practising certificate in the future, you should seek to have the order for admission sealed and retain a copy. If you require a copy to be returned to you then you must file in duplicate. Please use the formLA 5for that purpose.

See more on lawsociety.org.nz

If You Hold A Current Practising Certificate in Australia

If You Have An Overseas Law Qualification

Refusal of Certificate of Character Or Completion