Has the Law Society lost the room?

By Stuart Smith MP for Kaikoura

Professional bodies have a crucial role in establishing standards of conduct and protecting the reputation of their respective professions. It is expected that their directives remain apolitical and do not infringe upon the freedom of their members to hold their own political views.

However, the recent proposal by an independent panel appointed by the New Zealand Law Society to introduce a new regulator of the profession which would have a statutory duty to give effect to the “principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi” is a highly controversial and politically motivated move. It appears to be driven by the influence of woke socialists who seek to advance their own agenda rather than prioritize the best interests of the people they serve.

Interestingly, this proposal seems to have emerged from an investigation into unrelated issues surrounding sexual misconduct within the legal profession. Despite the fact that a significant majority of surveyed lawyers oppose incorporating Treaty principles into the regulatory str ucture, the Law Society review panel is undeterred. The opposition is well-founded, as the Treaty itself does not contain any specific “principles,” and the evolving nature of these principles makes it challenging for lawyers to navigate without risking breaching the Law Society’s rules.

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