Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006

Preliminary provisions

4: Fundamental obligations of lawyers

You could also call this:

"What lawyers must do to help and protect you"

Illustration for Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006

You need to know what lawyers must do when they work. They must follow some important rules when providing services to you. These rules include upholding the law and helping the justice system in New Zealand. You can expect lawyers to be independent and make decisions that are best for you. They must also follow their duties to take care of you and your interests. This means they must act carefully and make sure they are doing what is best for you. Lawyers also have a duty to protect your interests, but they must balance this with their other responsibilities as an officer of the court and under the law. They must make sure they are doing what is right for you while also following the rules. This helps keep you safe and ensures lawyers are working in your best interests.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM364946.

This page was last updated on 4 January 2026 — View changes

Topics:

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3: Purposes, or

"This law aims to keep people trusting lawyers and conveyancers, and to protect their clients."

5: Fundamental obligations of conveyancing practitioners, or

"Conveyancers must be honest and fair when helping clients"

Part 1Preliminary provisions

4Fundamental obligations of lawyers

Every lawyer who provides regulated services must, in the course of his or her practice, comply with the following fundamental obligations:
the obligation to uphold the rule of law and to facilitate the administration of justice in New Zealand:
the obligation to be independent in providing regulated services to his or her clients:
the obligation to act in accordance with all fiduciary duties and duties of care owed by lawyers to their clients:
the obligation to protect, subject to his or her overriding duties as an officer of the High Court and to his or her duties under any enactment, the interests of his or her clients.