A Candid Look at Parenthood and Practice
17 December 2025The pressure to maintain a busy practice while navigating the demands of family life presents unique challenges, often amplified by the unpredictability of litigation. This article draws directly from the experiences of our members, who share their candid insights on managing court work and family systems.
Read moreRapley heads to Keble College
09 December 2025Witnessing skilful advocacy is rare. Most lawyers appearing in court never perform as well as they should or could. Trial advocacy is a skill. It is a skill that can be taught. It is a skill that can be acquired. I believe the only way to effectively learn and improve…
Read moreThe Human Cost Behind SVA Prosecutions
08 December 2025The report It’s a Love–Hate Relationship: Female Crown Prosecutors’ Experiences of Prosecuting Sexual Violence and Abuse Cases was published as part of a research project by the Schools of Psychology and Law at Victoria University of Wellington, examining how female Crown prosecutors experience the unique demands of sexual violence and…
Read moreSentencing Advocacy Competition 2025
08 October 2025The 2025 Sentencing Advocacy Competition reached its conclusion with a final held in the historic Courtroom 1 of the Auckland High Court on 30 September 2025. Presided over by Justice Wilkinson-Smith, the event showcased the advocacy skills of two finalists: Mira Askari, who was named the winner, and runner-up Ina…
Read more2025 Access to Justice Award Winner
17 September 2025Sonja Cooper has been awarded the 2025 Access to Justice Award, sponsored by LexisNexis New Zealand and the New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o Te Ture, for her decades of work for survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. For more than 30 years, Cooper has…
Read moreLegal Aid Review: NZBA Urges Reform to Protect Access to Justice
01 September 2025We recently submitted feedback on the Ministry of Justice’s Triennial Legal Aid Review, reaffirming our strong support for legal aid as a cornerstone of access to justice and the rule of law. Legal aid ensures that all New Zealanders - regardless of financial means - can access quality legal advice…
Read moreInside 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…
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