NZ Law Society Client Care & Service Information
Lawyers must follow certain standards of professional behaviour.
These are set out in the Rules of Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers , and came into effect with the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 .
Under these rules, you can expect that, whatever legal services your lawyer is providing, he or she must:
- act competently, in a timely way, and in accordance with any arrangements made
- protect and promote your interests and act for you free from compromising influences or loyalties
- discuss with you your objectives and how they should best be achieved
- provide you with information about the work to be done, who will do it and the way the services will be provided
- charge you a fee that is fair and reasonable and let you know when you will be billed
- give you clear information and advice
- protect your privacy and ensure appropriate confidentiality
- treat you fairly, respectfully and without discrimination
- keep you informed about the work being done and advise you when it is completed
- let you know how to make a complaint and deal with any complaint promptly and fairly.
You may complain about a lawyer who does not meet these standards.
Lawyers must have a practising certificate issued by the NZ Law Society. You can look up the NZLS Register to find out if the person you plan to consult holds a current practising certificate.
More information about what you can expect from your lawyer is available in the NZLS website, here .