how to get licensed as a lawyer in new zealand

• complete a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) approved by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE). ...
• complete the Professional Legal Studies Course at either the Institute of Professional Legal Studies or College of Law. ...
• obtain a certificate of completion from the NZCLE; and
• obtain a certificate of character from the Law Society; 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 Law Society.

How do I become a lawyer in 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

Are all New Zealand lawyers regulated?

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Does New Zealand have a bar exam?

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.

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.

Are lawyers in high demand NZ?

"Despite the challenges, it's still a very strong market in New Zealand and seems to ride out any peaks and troughs in the economy," says Spears. "Demand for good lawyers has been consistently strong and the pressure point is finding the good people.

How much money does a lawyer make 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 $131,563 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 a UK qualified lawyer work in New Zealand?

UK lawyers will be able to practise in New Zealand more easily under a new trade deal, the government has said, in another attempt to tap into the Indo-Pacific legal market.

Do lawyers make good money NZ?

Solicitors 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.

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.

What is a solicitor vs lawyer?

A lawyer is anyone who could give legal advice. So, this term encompasses Solicitors, Barristers, and legal executives. A Solicitor is a lawyer who gives legal advice and represents the clients in the courts. They deal with business matters, contracts, conveyance, wills, inheritance, etc.

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.

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 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 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.

What is a legal executive?

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.

Can a barrister hold a practising certificate?

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.

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 ...

How long does it take to get a law 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).

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.

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 lead provider approval?

Lead provider approval is granted to applicants who can demonstrate they have the knowledge, experience and skill across the area (s) of law they’re approved in.

What is a practising certificate?

A practising certificate certifies that the holder is a fit and proper person to practice law and allows them to describe themselves as 'a lawyer'. It is an offence for someone without a current practising certificate to describe themselves as a lawyer.

Do you have to hold a license to be a conveyancing practitioner?

you do not hold or have applied to hold, a practising certificate as a conveyancing practitioner. you do not hold or have applied to hold, a license as an immigration advisor. you do not hold or have applied to hold, a licence as a real estate agent.

Can I hold a practising certificate in New Zealand?

You are eligible to hold a practising certificate if: your name is on the roll of barristers and solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand. you are a fit and proper person to hold a practising certificate (refer ss41 (2) (a) and 55 LCA) you do not hold or have applied to hold, a practising certificate as a conveyancing practitioner.

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.

What do lawyers do?

Lawyers advise clients and represent them in both criminal and civil cases. Typically, they give advice, prepare documents, and advise clients on legal transactions before they even step foot in a courtroom. Once in the courtroom, they help select jurors, argue motions, question.

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 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 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.

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.

What is the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?

A solicitor gives legal advice and can represent clients in courts. A barrister specializes in representing clients in courts. Each type of lawyer has its own set of challenges, expectations, and perks. Here is just a sample of the many types of lawyers. Corporate Lawyer. Contracts Lawyer.

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