lawsociety.org.nz Apply For Certificate of Character New Zealand : Law Society

Organization : NZ Law Society
Type of Facility : Apply For Certificate of Character
Country: New Zealand

Website : https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/

Certificate of Character :

A certificate of character certifies that you are a fit and proper person to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor.

Related : Clearance Certificate New Zealand Police : www.statusin.org/7709.html

A certificate of character can be used to seek admission in any High Court during its period of validity. The certificate of character should be valid on the date of your admission.

You may apply to a Law Society branch of your choice. You should start the process after you have completed your professionals course, and three months ahead of the date of the proposed admission ceremony.

If you need to make any disclosures to the Law Society, you should start the process four months ahead of the proposed admission ceremony. Refer to Part 8 of the application form to see whether this applies to you.

Application:
An application for a certificate of character must:
** be on the prescribed form
** include referee reports and all other required documents
** be accompanied by the fee.

Documents listed below must be provided with the application. However all referees, overseas regulatory authorities, the Ministry of Justice etc must provide relevant documents directly to the Society. Documents (except passport details) must be originals. Copies will not be accepted.

Please note that the application and references will lapse if the process is not complete after 3 months. You may be required to refresh your documentation.

Payment:
The NZLS fee is $253 (inc. GST). You are able to pay by credit card or cheque. Cheques should be made out to the New Zealand Law Society.

Advertising your name to the profession:
When you apply for a certificate of character, the Law Society will advertise your name in media at its discretion. Any person wishing to comment on your conduct and fitness may do so directly to the branch within the time specified.

Process:
You are responsible for ensuring that all documentation is provided to the relevant branch office in time.

When all the documentation is complete, the branch will process your application and issue you with a certificate of character. You should then file your certificate of character along with the other admission documents in the High Court. Check the Admissions information for details.

If a branch is inclined to refuse to issue a certificate of character, it will refer your application to the national office to be considered by a Practice Approval Committee (PAC).

If the PAC declines to issue you with a certificate, you may still apply for admission directly to the High Court. However if your application does not include a certificate of character, you must serve a copy of the application on the Law Society (National Office) within two days of filing in the High Court – Rule 6, LCA (Lawyers: Admission) Rules 2008.

The Society will, within 21 days of receiving the copy of your application, serve on you a notice of opposition stating the grounds on which the application is opposed and include any affidavits in support and as necessary. Your application will be determined by the High Court.

Information you must supply:
There are a number of documents you must provide directly to the Society. Documents (except passport details) must be originals and copies will not be accepted.
** The completed application on the prescribed form
** Passport/birth certificate. A certified copy of the page with your photograph and personal details is required. If you do not have a current passport you must provide the original of your birth certificate.
** Proof of any name change (if applicable). Originals of the deed poll/marriage certificate and/or statutory declaration are required.

** Statutory declaration. You must provide a declaration if your name appears differently in different documents or has a different sequence. The declaration should state that you are the person referred to by the various names used in the documents. Check the Society’s guidelines on statutory declarations for details.

** Your resumé/CV. You must provide details of your full employment history to the month and year and a brief explanation of any gaps.
** If you have been admitted to another jurisdiction, a Certificate of Standing from the regulatory body in that jurisdiction.
** If you have been regulated in another profession, a Certificate of Standing (or equivalent) from the relevant regulatory body.
** Priv/F2 – Request by Third Party. The Law Society requires all applicants to consent to the request of a copy of the applicant’s criminal convictions from the Ministry of Justice.

Please provide an appropriately sized self-addressed pre-paid A4 courier bag with your application to enable safe return of your original documents. Or check with the branch to see if you can collect your certificate.