Admission to practise in New Zealand
Australian legal practitioners (except those admitted to practise law in Western Australia) are eligible to apply for admission to practise law in New Zealand under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997. Applications for admission are made directly to the appropriate registry of the High Court of New Zealand. Once admitted to the High Court of New Zealand an application for a practising certificate is then required to the relevant district law society.
It is also possible for foreign qualified lawyers to practise the law of their home jurisdiction in New Zealand without the requirement to be admitted to practise law in New Zealand.
Australian law graduates who have not been admitted to practise law in their home jurisdiction may apply to have their legal qualifications assessed by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education. The Council will also determine whether applicants are required to undertake the Professional Legal Studies Course offered by the College of Law, New Zealand.
Further information is available at the New Zealand Law Society website.
An overview of the New Zealand legal environment and a directory of law firms practicing in New Zealand is available on Legal 500.