Member Resources

The material in this section contains NZBA policies together with guidance on some of the professional responsibilities for member barristers.

NZBA Conduct and Values Policy

The NZBA Conduct and Values Committee has prepared a Conduct and Values Policy as a resource for members. This policy looks at the definitions of discrimination and harassment, avenues for complaint and support, and the obligation to report matters to the New Zealand Law Society. Please refer to the file at the bottom of this page.

The Blue Book

Members have commented on occasion that they miss the old "red book" which contained a copy of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008. With the help and guidance of Garry Williams KC, we have now produced our own version of the Rules, called the Blue Book. 

The Blue Book contains:

• The Rules.
• The definitions of "misconduct" and "unsatisfactory conduct". 
• A brief guide to the complaints and discipline regimes. 

If you would like a hard copy of The Blue Book just reach out and we will post you one. For a digital copy see the files below. 

The Etiquette Guidelines 2009

The guidelines below were drafted in 2009 and address standards of courtroom behaviour for counsel in trial courts. They were developed from a consultative process involving members of the High Court and District Court judiciary and the professional associations.

The guidelines are not intended to be comprehensive and should be read with Chapter 13 of the Conduct and Client Care Rules 2008. The guidelines are intended to assist practitioners, especially new practitioners.

The Do's and Don't's of  Appearing in Court

This document is part of a paper written for a 2015 webinar. The webinar was presented by the Hon. Justice Brewer, Philip Morgan QC, and David O’Neill.  It covers the ethical context, appropriate court dress, what to do while in court and advocacy hints.