Foreign Lawyers Frequently Asked Questions

In New Zealand (NZ), individuals holding a current New Zealand practising certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) are recognised as lawyers and are regulated as such under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (LAC). The NZLS is responsible for registering lawyers in the country, issuing practising certificates that authorise them to provide legal services, and managing complaint processes against lawyers in NZ. 

Under the LAC, foreign lawyers can provide legal services without needing a practising certificate issued by the NZLS, but they have several restrictions. For example, foreign lawyers in NZ without an NZLS certificate can not represent clients in courts or tribunals. This significantly limits the scope of work for lawyers who are litigators (barristers) in their home countries. You also can not claim to be a local lawyer as you must inform your clients that you studied law outside NZ and don't possess an NZLS practising certificate, meaning you're not an NZ lawyer. Learn more about this here.

In New Zealand (NZ), the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) is primarily responsible for registering lawyers in the country, issuing practising certificates that authorise them to provide legal services, and managing complaint processes against lawyers in NZ.

You can obtain a practising certificate by: 

•  studying an LLB in NZ (if you have not studied law in any other country, see the question "How to become a lawyer in NZ" below); or  
• going through a process called "overseas qualification assessment" with the New Zealand Council of Legal Education. Some mistakenly refer to this process as the conversion of the degree. You're not converting your title (say from Mexico to NZ), you're accrediting the requirements to become a local lawyer. Learn more about this here.

Is the process under which the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE) reviews your academic qualifications and professional experience (from your home country or anywhere else) and compares it with the standards that someone desiring to be a lawyer in NZ must meet. 

At the end of the assessment, the NZCLE provides an opinion indicating the requirements you must fulfil to be admitted as a solicitor and barrister of the High Court of NZ and to obtain your practising certificate. Learn more about this here.

Every year, many Solicitors year 3 and 4 in NZ move overseas, creating a demand for Solicitors year 4, Senior Solicitors, Associates and Senior Associates. Foreign lawyers with more than 3 or 4 years of post qualification experience (PQE) are sought after to fill these positions, especially in the corporate and commercial space.

For those without at least 3 PQE, obtaining a job in NZ can be challenging as they are not eligible for summer clerkships or law grad programmes. However, there are still options available. Please reach out to discuss.  Learn more about this here.

There are six universities in New Zealand that offer Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degrees approved by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education. They are the University of Auckland, the University of Waikato, the Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Canterbury, the University of Otago and the AUT University. Learn more about this here.

The Auckland, Wellington, Waikato and AUT Universities are situated in the North Island of New Zealand. The Canterbury and Otago Universities are situated in the South Island. Learn more about this here.

To become a lawyer in New Zealand (if you have not studied law before), you are required to:

• complete a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) or LLB (Honours) degree approved by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education
• complete a Professional Legal Studies Course
• obtain a Certificate of Completion from the NZCLE 
• be admitted to the role of Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and
• hold a current practising certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society.

Learn more about this here.

While advanced degrees can enhance academic profiles, practical experience holds more weight in NZ's legal profession. 

• Benefits: Personal milestone achievement.

• Disadvantages: Tuition fees for international students (if you are not a NZ resident or citizen) apply, and job prospects may be limited without sufficient post qualification experience.

Learn more about this here.