NZ Law Society Client Care & Service Information

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 .