how to become lawyer new zealand

^{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).

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

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 complete a Professional Legal Studies Course obtain a Certificate of Completion from the NZCLE, and

How do I become a barrister 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

Can I study law in New Zealand with an overseas degree?

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

Can I practice law in New Zealand as a solicitor?

All countries have their own regulations for practising law. Always ensure you check these before moving overseas. A qualified New Zealand lawyer can be admitted to the roll of solicitors of England and Wales under the Qualified Transfer Scheme (QLTS) Regulations 2011.

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

four yearsStudying law in Australia or New Zealand 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 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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

Is there a bar exam in 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.

Can NZ lawyers work in UK?

Practicing as a Solicitor in England & Wales New Zealand lawyers who are admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand may be eligible to transfer their qualification to become a Solicitor in the United Kingdom.

Can I practice law in Australia with a NZ law degree?

If you hold a valid practising certificate in New Zealand, it is a simple to process to begin working in Australia. Under the Trans-Tasman mutual recognition regime, New Zealanders are eligible for a fast track process to obtain a practising certificate in Australia.

How much do NZ lawyers get paid?

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 $131,563 per year.

Is law a good career choice?

Law as a profession is in great demand these days. Due to the changing social and economic circumstances and the ever-increasing regulatory role being undertaken by the government there is a rising demand for the lawyers. Besides being financially lucrative, Law is an adventurous and exciting career option.

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.

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.

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.

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 is the qualification 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:

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 ...

Areas of law

Applicants can apply to provide legal aid services in the following areas of law:

Types of approval

There are different types of approval depending on your level of legal experience and the circumstances of your application.

Referral to the Selection Committee

All applications for lead provider approval will be referred to the relevant Selection Committee for their consideration and recommendation to the Secretary.

How long does it take to get a legal license in Canada?

To be able to practise in Canada, an application to the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) is required. Following this there is a 6-8 week wait while the NCA assesses your credentials and then notifies you regarding any particular deficiencies you may have in your legal training with regards to the Canadian jurisdiction. The NCA will assign certain courses which you will be required to complete before a certificate of qualification is issued to you. This certificate is then used to apply to a Canadian law society in the province you wish to work.

Is Hong Kong a common law jurisdiction?

Unlike mainland China, Hong Kong operates under a common law jurisdiction. A New Zealand Lawyer may register as an overseas lawyer in Hong Kong after gaining two years of post-qualification experience in your home jurisdiction, being of good character, and passing the Barrister Qualification Exam (BQE).

How long does it take to get a law degree in New Zealand?

There are two different providers: the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) and the College of Law New Zealand. The shortest programs are 13 weeks, and the longest is 18 weeks.

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

Regardless of where you go to law school, it takes approximately six or seven years to become a lawyer. Many countries have slightly different requirements, including shorter law schools, studying law as an undergraduate, and practical course requirements. For example, in the US, you only go to law school after finishing your bachelor's degree, and UK universities offer law as an undergraduate and a graduate degree.

What are the roles of lawyers in government?

Government agencies, law firms, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and academia all have lawyers. They help the general public interpret laws, rulings, and regulations related to their personal and professional lives. Lawyers advise clients and represent them in both criminal and civil cases.

How to get a job after law school?

Start by applying to smaller law firms or even intern with a judge or professor. Get creative! After your second year of law school, use your experience and grades to get the best summer associate position possible. By year two, you should aim for a full-time job offer that begins after graduation.

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.

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 many internships do you need to get into law school?

Most students intern every summer during their undergraduate and graduate (law) school years. The best students often enter the job market with at least FIVE internships under their belt, if not more.

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