Lawyers Warned Against Strike Action

Lawyers Warned Against Strike Action

LawFuel.co.nz - The New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) has issued a public statement advising lawyers not to take strike action in protest at Government changes to the legal aid system, reports Auckland Law Society's "Law News".

Wellington barrister Noel Sainsbury was reported by the Dominion Post newspaper as having organised a meeting of lawyers to discuss possible strike action. The newspaper said Mr Sainsbury had stated "there was strong support for that step with about 50 lawyers interested and more meetings planned".

Mr Sainsbury is quoted to have said "the new Independent Criminal Bar was looking at working to rule, as well as the possibility of strike action" in protest at "the destruction of private legal representation" and "the nationalisation of the Criminal Bar which would lead to the justice system being undermined".

Justice Minister Simon Power immediately responded to news reports by stating that a legal aid strike by lawyers would be a breach of their obligations to the court system. In its statement NZLS said it had consistently advised that lawyers taking strike action or work-to-rule was not a practical option.

"The law society understands the concerns expressed by criminal lawyers about changes to the legal aid system and will continue to communicate those concerns and work to lessen the impact of the changes," said NZLS President Jonathan Temm.

Mr Temm said the law society's priority was high quality legal aid services delivered by all lawyers involved in the system. The law society had always focused on ensuring the views of the legal profession were communicated and listened to on legal aid.

John Bowie

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