Lay Members (Nz Wide), Practice Approval Cmte.

The New Zealand Law Society is looking to appoint lay members to its Practice Approval Committees (“PACs”) for a trial period of 12 months. The PACs consider and determine “non-standard” applications relating to the practice of law, including applications for certificates of character for admission to the legal profession, applications for approval to practise on own account (that is, without supervision), and lawyers’ applications for practising certificates where there are issues regarding their fitness and propriety.

There are currently two national PACs, each made up of five senior lawyers based throughout the country. Each PAC convenes once a month by teleconference. We are looking to appoint one lay member to each PAC for the trial period. Appointments of both lawyer and lay members are made by the Board of the New Zealand Law Society.
You do not need to have any pre-existing expertise or knowledge of the law, but must be of good character and possess the necessary skill, experience and judgement to positively contribute to the consideration of applications.

The following experience, while not necessary, is likely to be an advantage:
• Experience in dealing with regulatory and conduct issues in the workplace, either directly, or through the delivery of support or guidance;
• Previous experience on a regulatory committee; and
• Professional experience in the areas or medical practice or insolvency.
If successful, you will attend the monthly meetings, having considered material distributed by the PAC secretary in advance. This is a voluntary role, although you will receive a nominal meeting fee of $135.00 per meeting and reimbursement of any reasonable travel expenses.

The New Zealand Law Society is committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion and to recognising the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand. We wish to ensure PACs’ membership represents the society that the legal profession serves and encourage applications from a diverse range of backgrounds.
To view further information about the role including a position description and application form, please go to the NZLS website:
https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/news-and-communications/advertisements/vacancies/new-zealand-law-society-practice-approval-committee-lay-members-sought
If you are interested in this role, please send a completed application form, cover letter and CV to:
Paul Woolhouse
Secretary for Practice Approval Committee
New Zealand Law Society
PO Box 5041, Wellington 6140
Telephone: (04) 472 7837
Email: **********
Applications close at 5:00pm on Wednesday 25 September 2019.

Following review of your application, you may be asked to attend an interview.