Selected NZ District Court decisions now free online

The District Court has begun to post selected decisions online . They will be selected from the criminal, civil, youth and family jurisdictions.
According to the NZ Law Society latest news:

"Criteria for publication in the criminal jurisdiction include sentencing notes and reserved decisions in judge-along trials in cases of more serious offending, or cases where there has been discussion of high-level principles.

In the civil jurisdiction the aim is to publish all reserved judgments and costs awards, injunction decisions, judgments discussion interpretation of the District Courts Rules, appeals from tribunals, and decisions related to professional bodies.

Selection criteria in the Family Court will differ depending on the legislation that proceedings are brought under. While criteria of public or legal interest will apply in the Youth Court, there will also be emphasis on points of law on which there is little or no previous authority.

All decisions resulting from proceedings brought under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 will be published automatically because this is a requirement of that legislation."

New Zealand Law Society asks Professor Henaghan 10 questions

The New Zealand Law Society webpage is an excellent source of news and information about all things law related in NZ.
They interviewed Professor Mark Henaghan yesterday, and you can read it here. 



While you are there, check out career prospects, see the latest law reform submissions to parliament, or sign up to their weekly newsletter.

When you go into practice, the NZLS will be your go-to for many services, including regulatory requirements, library access and much much more. 

Bar admission ceremony court attire clarified

The Chief High Court Judge, Justice Winkelmann, has written to the New Zealand Law Society to clarify the requirements for the required standard of dress for ceremonies for admission as a barrister and solicitor.
Justice Winkelmann says concern has been raised with her regarding variable practice between registries as to the required standard of dress at admission ceremonies.
"It has been reported to me that some admittees are being told they must wear traditional court attire at admission ceremonies," she says.
"I have reminded registries that the general approach in connection with court attire for admission ceremonies is that candidates for admission and their counsel moving have the option of wearing traditional court attire (wigs, bands, white shirt and gowns) or gowns over neat clothing. Neat clothing means dark suit, white shirt and tie for men and equivalent dress for women (women to ensure their shirt or blouse is white)."
Justice Winkelmann says applicants and counsel moving the admission may not combine the two options by, for example, wearing a wig and a tie, or bands over a tie.
"Applicants are requested to remind their counsel moving of these requirements," she says.
http://my.lawsociety.org.nz/news/bar-admission-ceremony-court-attire-clarified

New Zealand Law Society Guide for New Lawyers

"One thing you will find as you start work as a lawyer is that it’s very different to studying law and you’re going to have to learn quite a few new things. Law school and profs teach you how to think like a lawyer; when you enter the workforce, you’ve got to learn how to act like a lawyer." Jonathan Temm, President, New Zealand Law Society November 2012.

This Guide includes some excellent tips on sucessfully surviving those first few years after Law School. It covers topics such as: finding a job and tips for interviews;  work practices and delegation of work; court etiquette and what to wear in court and tribunals.

my.lawsociety

Lots of interesting stuff at my.lawsociety.org.nz
It's a New Zealand Law Society thing.
Explore it, especially the Information for New Lawyers. There you'll find the really useful New Zealand Law Society Guide for New Lawyers. It includes sections on starting work as a lawyer (finding a job, the interview process), appearing in courts and tribunals, and some useful insights into corporate culture.
Parts of the site are restricted to members but much of it is free.
Very cool.