The New Zealand Law Society’s Property Law Section was established in April 2000 to help property lawyers meet the many changes and challenges of law practice in the 21st century, and to support them as they deliver the highest possible quality service to their clients.

Around 4,000 lawyers throughout the country undertake some property law work, with a quarter of them spending more than half their time on property law matters.

The Property Law Section recognises the special nature of property law practice. It is active in property law reform activities, via its contribution to the Law Society’s law reform work. It also supports and assists in the professional development of property lawyers through its best practice guidelines, dissemination of topical property law information, and through its e-dealing consultancy service.

The section has a number of objectives:

• promoting opportunities for property lawyers to improve and maintain their professional skills and to gain expertise in marketing their services
• encouraging discussion and debate on property law issues and promoting best practice
• establishing and maintaining contact with business and government about issues relevant to property lawyers
• promoting the value and services of property lawyers to the public
• promoting the interests of the public in property transactions
• providing easy access to property lawyers.

The section also facilitates networking and discussion among members, and hosts regular regional meetings throughout the country.

Click here for the Property Law Section printable factsheet.

Governance

Section 18 of the New Zealand Law Society Constitution provides for the establishment of sections by the NZLS Council. The principal object of establishing a section, such as the Property Law Section, is to give members who have a common interest in a particular field of law, an opportunity to promote that interest in association with others. Through the section, members are able to discuss and debate issues of interest, study legal matters, and contribute to the preparation, and dissemination of reports, studies and recommendations.

Under the NZLS Constitution each section is entitled to govern and organise its affairs and elect or appoint officers and committees of its members in such a way that its members determine, but all rules or bylaws regulating any section come into force only through resolution of the NZLS Board. The Property Law Section Rules are available here.

Law Society staff provide secretarial and administrative support to the PLS and the governance of the section is undertaken by an Executive Committee, of property lawyers elected by full members of the section.