Inside the Brief: What do solicitors want?
27 August 2025The solicitor–barrister relationship is central to the effective delivery of legal services, yet it often operates on assumptions and unspoken expectations. What do solicitors truly value when briefing barristers? And from the barrister’s perspective, what makes for a productive and respectful working relationship with instructing solicitors?
Read moreStart Right: Building a Career at the Bar
27 August 2025For junior barristers, one of the most pressing questions is: Where will the next brief come from? The answer, more often than not, lies in relationships. Retired barrister David O’Neill offers a clear directive: Get into Chambers. “You can’t run a civil or commercial practice from the boot of your…
Read moreAGM & Council Nominations Open
27 June 2025HELP SHAPE A STRONG AND INDEPENDENT BAR.
As the voice of an independent Bar, we rely on the strength of our members to guide our direction, uphold our values, and shape our future. The Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture is…
2025 Triennial Review of Legal Aid – Summary of Discussion Document
19 June 2025The Ministry of Justice has launched a public consultation on the legal aid scheme, open from 11 June to 23 July 2025. The Ministry of Justice says the review aims to ensure the scheme remains efficient, sustainable, and continues to promote access to justice for all New Zealanders.
Read moreAccess to Justice Award 2025
30 May 2025Award co-sponsors, LexisNexis Ltd and the New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o Te Ture, are happy to announce that nominations are open for the 2025 Access to Justice Award.
Read moreBudget 2025: Justice System Impacts
23 May 2025Letter from Carl Crafar, Chief Operating Officer, Ministry of Justice. Budget 2025 includes a number of initiatives that will be of interest to the legal profession, and I would be happy for you share this update with them. Budget 2025 arrives in, and reflects, a tight fiscal climate, but it…
Read morePublic release of Te Puna Manawa Whenua | Māori Land Court Bench Book
14 May 2025Te Kura Kaiwhakawā | The Institute of Judicial Studies has today published Te Puna Manawa Whenua | Māori Land Court Bench Book on the Courts of New Zealand website. Today’s release follows the publication of the Criminal Jury Trials Bench Book at the end of 2024.
Read moreCase Review Hearings Guidelines
09 May 2025The Chief District Court Judge, His Honour Judge Taumaunu, has released the finalised Case Review Hearings Best Practice guidelines. His Honour notes that the guidelines were developed feedback over a period of months and included feedback from the profession.
Read moreCorrections Update | Supporting capacity in the women’s prison network
08 May 2025The Department of Corrections have been exploring opportunities within the prison network to safely and securely accommodate women, in response to the recent forecasted growth in the women’s prison population.
Read moreLSA v Fawcett - A case note
04 April 2025Felix Geiringer appeared as counsel for the Bar Association in the High Court and Court of Appeal in the recent case of Legal Services Commissioner v Fawcett. In this note to members, he outlines why this case was important for the Bar Association.
Read moreWomen lawyers remain under-represented as counsel in higher courts
13 March 2025The New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o Te Ture recently conducted further research revealing women lawyers remain markedly under-represented as counsel in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Read moreInternational Women's Day
06 March 2025International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on how far we have come and what we still need to achieve. The theme this year is #AccelerateAction. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 -…
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