Legal Profession's Independence Threatened

Legal Profession's Independence Threatened, Says ADLS President

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The vote on ADLS and NZLS amalgamation places some issues in sharp focus
LawFuel.co.nz – NZ Legal News, Legal Jobs - Threats to self regulation and political threats to the legal profession have been identified by Auckland Law Society president Anna Fitzgibbon as strong reasons provided to the ADLS members to vote in favour of amalgamation with the NZ Law Society.

The ADLS membership is to vote on the long-contested and often bitter differences between the NZLS and ADLS, who have developed strong assets with their Chancery Lane head office and suite of law profession educational and professional publications. The ADLS has developed a strong business in representative and educational activities, but with the expansion of the NZLS branches, including its Auckland branch, and pressure to amalgamate with the national organisation, the battle lines have become more pronounced.

The development of "one society", which was originally supported by the ADLS, has yet to develop under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act.

Auckland Law Society president Anna Fitzgibbon has written in the latest ADLS newsletter strongly supporting a move towards
amalgamation with the NZ Law Society as much as anything to forestall the continuing threats to self regulation.

"Threats to our self-regulation are nothing new and they will continue. The most recent example came from the Bazley legal aid report. I believe that the NZLS responded in a forceful and effective way but it is very clear that a unified voice is vital if lawyers are to hold the privilege of self-regulation. The drawing together of the NZLS and ADLS Inc gives us the best chance at that while at the same time enhancing our representative services by strength of numbers and unity of purpose."

The Chancery Lane building has been a sore point with many Auckland members. "The ownership of our building, Chancery Chambers, has certainly been a contentious issue, at least in the early stages of the amalgamation debate. The MOU
has eased these tensions by a proposal to transfer ownership to a trust under Auckland control and with particular benefits to Auckland members," Ms Fitzgibbon wrote.

But self regulation is a fragile issue for the legal profession, as recognised by the ADLS president.

"If there was one consistent message delivered by lawyers to law societies (NZLS and districts) during the long battle towards the new systems required by the Lawyers & Conveyancers Act (LCA), it was just how much they valued the privilege of self regulation and how we can preserve the status of our profession as long as we discharge our obligations in a professional and excellent manner. The public must have confidence in us as a profession."

ENDS

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