how to become lawyer in new zealand

by Archibald Padberg 3 min read

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 of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand and
  • hold a current practising certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS).

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

The 10 year restriction is from the start of your qualification. BECOMING A LAWYER 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

What are the legal obligations of a lawyer in New Zealand?

All lawyers must comply with the fundamental obligations as set out in s4 of the LCA, including obligations to uphold the rule of law and to facilitate the administration of justice in New Zealand, and to protect the interests of their clients (subject to their overriding duties as officers of the High Court and under legislation).

Can I practice in New Zealand with 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. Once you have been admitted you can apply to the Law Society for a practising certificate.

How old do you have to be to study law in NZ?

The New Zealand Council of Legal Education may direct you to undertake further study if your qualification for admission (law degree) is more than 10 years old when applying for admission. The 10 year restriction is from the start of your qualification.

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How long does it take to become a lawyer NZ?

four yearsStudying 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.

Can a foreigner become a lawyer in New Zealand?

New Zealand does not regulate foreign lawyers nor provide them with any type of licence to practise in New Zealand.

How do you qualify as a lawyer in New Zealand?

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 of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand and.

How much do lawyers get paid NZ?

How much does a Lawyer make in New Zealand? The average lawyer salary in New Zealand is $91,321 per year or $46.83 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $69,334 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $125,018 per year.

What is the highest paying job in NZ?

The highest-paying job in New Zealand is that of CEO or Managing Director. They earn, on the low end, around NZ$120,000 per year and, on average, around NZ$560,000 per year. On the high end, they can earn as much as NZ$4.5 million per year!

Can Indian LLB practice in NZ?

I want to practice law in New Zealand, how do I do that? To practise as or to call yourself a New Zealand lawyer you must: Complete a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) approved by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE).

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.

Is there a bar exam NZ?

New Zealand Council of Legal Education. The Council requires many overseas applicants to pass all or a number of Parts of an examination on the law of New Zealand. The Examination consists of a six Part written Examination following a comprehensive self-taught prescription. The exam is held twice a year.

What types of lawyers are there in NZ?

There are two types of lawyers in New Zealand - barristers and solicitors. Barristers do court work and solicitors do other legal work that does not require them to represent their clients in court. Most lawyers are qualified as both but usually choose to do either court work or legal work.

Is it hard to get a job as a lawyer in NZ?

With a very large number of law students graduating each year, and a limited number of entry-level lawyer positions, it is difficult for a new graduate to get work as a lawyer. Many recent graduates are getting jobs in other industries instead.

Which type of lawyer earns the most NZ?

PaySolicitors with less than one year's experience usually earn $53,000 to $58,000 a year.Solicitors with two to four years' experience usually earn $55,000 to $101,000.Solicitors with more than four years' experience usually earn $70,000 to $175,000.

Which type of lawyer makes the most money in NZ?

The highest salary of a Lawyer in New Zealand can reach and exceed NZ$200,000 gross per year.Lawyer. Ministry of Social Development NZ - Christchurch - Lawyer.Senior Commercial Lawyer - Partnership Opportunity. Lawfuel - Auckland - Commercial Lawyer.Senior Corporate Lawyer. Russell McVeagh - Wellington - Corporate Lawyer.

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.

How long does it take to become a barrister in New Zealand?

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.

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.

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.

Do foreign lawyers have to complete a New Zealand LLB?

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.

How to become a lawyer in New Zealand?

To practise as or to call yourself a New Zealand lawyer you must: 1 complete a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) approved by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE). Overseas law graduates or those who have been admitted in another jurisdiction (except Australia) may be required to complete further New Zealand university subjects and/ or parts of the New Zealand Law and Practice Examination; and 2 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; and 3 obtain a certificate of completion from the NZCLE; and 4 obtain a certificate of character from the Law Society; and 5 be admitted to the roll of barristers and solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand; and 6 hold a current practising certificate issued by the Law Society.

How long does it take to file a group admission application?

Where a group admission hearing is scheduled, the application must be filed at least one month before that date, unless the Registrar allows it to be filed late.

How to become a lawyer in New Zealand?

The prerequisites for practising as a lawyer in New Zealand are admission as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and holding a current practising certificate from the Law Society. A lawyer may practise either as a barrister and solicitor or as a barrister sole. A barrister and solicitor may be: 1 employed by a law firm or incorporated law firm 2 employed as a corporate lawyer (in-house counsel) 3 a director and/or shareholder in an incorporated law firm 4 in practice on own account as a sole practitioner or partner in a law firm.

What are the prerequisites for a lawyer in New Zealand?

The prerequisites for practising as a lawyer in New Zealand are admission as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and holding a current practising certificate from the Law Society. A lawyer may practise either as a barrister and solicitor or as a barrister sole. A barrister and solicitor may be:

What is a barrister and solicitor?

A barrister and solicitor may be: employed by a law firm or incorporated law firm. employed as a corporate lawyer (in-house counsel) a director and/or shareholder in an incorporated law firm. in practice on own account as a sole practitioner or partner in a law firm.

Is New Zealand a legal profession?

Joining the legal profession. All New Zealand lawyers are regulated by the Law Society when they provide any legal services, conveyancing services or services provided by undertaking the work of a real estate agent. In New Zealand anybody may provide legal services, but only lawyers may carry out work in the reserved areas of law.

Can a lawyer work in New Zealand?

In New Zealand anybody may provide legal services, but only lawyers may carry out work in the reserved areas of law. It is an offence for anybody who is not a lawyer or incorporated law firm to provide legal services under a misleading description. The prerequisites for practising as a lawyer in New Zealand are admission as a barrister ...

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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.
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If You Hold A Current Practising Certificate in Australia

  • If you are qualified unders49(4)(under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997), you must apply directly to the High Court, using the formLA 4. For further information, refer to theGuidelines for admission under the TTMRA.
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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 theNZCLEfor an assessment of your qualifications.
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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 inRule 6 of the Admission Rules. Please note applications for Admission are Civil proceedings in the High Court commenced by way of originating application, and as such all documents filed in the High Court must comply with the High Court Rules 2016. Please check th…
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