Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006

Restrictions on provision of legal services and conveyancing services - Legal services

25: Lawyers of other jurisdictions

You could also call this:

"Lawyers from other countries can work in New Zealand under certain conditions."

Illustration for Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006

You can provide legal services in New Zealand if you are a lawyer from another country. You do not need a New Zealand practising certificate to give legal advice that does not involve work in reserved areas. You can also work in New Zealand on cases about the law of another country or international law. You can describe yourself as a lawyer from another country if you can practise law in that country. You must say which country you can practise in and that your ability to practise is connected to that country. You must not break any rules in the Fair Trading Act 1986, especially section 11 or section 13(b). You can also provide legal services in New Zealand if you have knowledge of the law of another country or international law and it is essential for a court case. Nothing in sections 21 to 24 stops you from doing this. You can work on cases that involve the law of another country or international law.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM365730.

This page was last updated on — View changes

Topics:
Work and jobs > Job licensesMoney and consumer rights > Fair trading
Previous

24: Reserved areas of work for lawyers and incorporated law firms, or

"Only lawyers can do certain legal work"

Next

26: Drafting court documents, or

"Rules for writing court documents, who can do it and when"

Part 2Restrictions on provision of legal services and conveyancing services
Legal services

25Lawyers of other jurisdictions

  1. Nothing in sections 21 to 24 prevents a person who is a member of the legal profession of a country outside New Zealand, but who does not hold any type of admission, enrolment, or practising certificate under this Act,—

  2. from providing in New Zealand legal services that do not involve carrying out work in any of the reserved areas of work; or
    1. from doing any work, or transacting any business, in New Zealand if that work is business concerning—
      1. the law of a country or territory outside New Zealand; or
        1. international law; or
        2. providing legal services (including appearances) in New Zealand in relation to any proceedings before any court or other body if, for the purpose of those proceedings, it is essential that the provider of those legal services has knowledge of—
          1. the law of a country or territory outside New Zealand; or
            1. international law.

            2. Nothing in sections 21 to 24 prevents a person who is a member of the legal profession of a country outside New Zealand, but who does not hold any type of admission, enrolment, or practising certificate under this Act, from describing himself or herself in accordance with any of the terms specified in section 21(1)(b) if—

            3. the person is able to practise under such a description in a country outside New Zealand; and
              1. the description incorporates a reference to the country in which the person is able to practise under that description and the fact that the ability to practise under such a description is connected with that country or territory; and
                1. the use of the description by the person does not contravene any of the provisions of Part 1 of the Fair Trading Act 1986 and, in particular, does not contravene section 11 or section 13(b) of that Act.