Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

New Zealand Law Society Should Be Renamed

New Zealand Law Society Should Be Renamed Criminal Leniency Society

28th July 2016

“The Law Society has turned its back on the law abiding majority of New Zealanders and is instead writing in support of child sex offenders and serious offenders” says Neville Pettersson.

In October 2015 the Law Society (NZLS) criticised the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Register) Bill, citing it unfairly infringed upon the freedoms and civil liberties of child sex offenders. The NZLS maintained this stance in their submission on the Child Sex Offender Name Change Bill. Finally, last week’s submission by the NZLS on the Clean Slate petition also supported broadening the eligibility of offenders for Clean Slate.

“What organisation representing the rule of law and justice in New Zealand can legitimately oppose something called the Child Protection Bill? This Law Society is becoming a Tui Billboard, but not a funny one” says Pettersson.

The purpose of the NZLS is outlined in the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, s65, which is to uphold the rule of law and make sure that justice is being served. This includes law reform. The NZLS website specifically states that, “The Law Society's Law Reform Committee, with assistance from the specialist committees and the Sections, prepares submissions on behalf of the legal profession and in the public interest.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Pettersson replies, “How does overtly supporting paedophiles and serious offenders, who are the minority in our society, benefit the public interest? I mean, these guys are all lawyers right, didn’t they swear and oath to protect us? Why the heck are they fighting for minority offenders rights?”

The Sensible Sentencing Trust has previously responded to the Law Society’s opposition to the proposed Child Protection (Sex Offender Register) Bill. Pettersson has also written in opposition to the NZLS stance on protecting a sex offender’s right to change their name. SST has also just put in a submission, also against the NZLS position, to keep the Clean Slate Act as it is.

Pettersson states, “My challenge to NZLS is to make your next submission on serious offending based on protecting the public interest. Fighting for laws to protect our kids and our communities is difficult enough without having to battle the behemoth of all of New Zealand’s lawyers.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.