“The good lawyer is not the man who has an eye to every side and angle of contingency, and qualifies all his qualifications, but who throws himself on your part so heartily, that he can get you out of a scrape.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
What do figures like Moana Jackson, Dame Sian Elias, Geoffrey Palmer, and even the fictional character Atticus Finch all have in common?
They all practised law.
Real and fictional lawyers have inspired many people to become lawyers and have even shaped the popular understanding of how the law works.
Many people choose to become lawyers or start their career in law because they want to make a difference, uphold justice, or even follow family traditions. Others may be more motivated because a lawyer's salary is pretty good.
No matter your reasons for wanting to become a lawyer, here's how to do it in New Zealand.
The Stages of Becoming a Lawyer in New Zealand
Similar to careers in medicine, the path to becoming a lawyer in New Zealand is highly structured, with specific educational and qualification requirements.
Typically, it would be best if you did well in school, got accepted onto a law degree, completed some law-specific qualifications, and practised law while supervised for a few years.
Here are the key steps to becoming a lawyer in New Zealand. In many ways, there are a lot of similarities to other countries but there are some key areas where it differs from what you might expect.
Secondary School Preparation
Students aspiring to study law in New Zealand must focus on getting good grades, particularly in secondary school.
There are no specific subjects that aspiring lawyers need to take. Still, it doesn't hurt to focus on subjects like English, history, and social studies, as these classes often focus on the critical thinking skills required for law school.
Academic Stage – LLB Degree
After secondary school, students in New Zealand must enrol in a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
These courses are available at the following universities:
- University of Auckland – One of New Zealand's top law schools, offering a comprehensive LLB program with opportunities for specialisation.
- Victoria University of Wellington – Known for its strong focus on legal research and proximity to New Zealand’s government and courts, providing excellent opportunities for practical experience.
- University of Otago – Offers a well-regarded LLB program with options for double degrees and specialisations in areas such as environmental law.
- University of Canterbury – Provides a broad LLB program that focuses on theory and practical legal skills, with options for postgraduate studies.
- Waikato University (Te Piringa- Faculty of Law) – This law school strongly emphasises Māori law and environmental law and offers LLB and LLM degrees.
- Auckland University of Technology (AUT) – AUT's law program focuses on producing well-prepared graduates for modern legal practice with a practical and interactive learning environment.
The LLB covers the legal system, including criminal, constitutional, and property law.
Towards the end of your degree, you'll have the opportunity to specialise in areas of law like solicitors' services or litigation.
Practical Training – PLSC
After you complete your LLB, you must complete the Professional Legal Studies Course (PLSC). This course provides the practical skills needed for legal practice, including court procedures and client management.
This is a little different from countries where a formal exam is required to qualify as a lawyer or similar. New Zealand's approach is more vocational.
The course typically takes between 13 and 18 weeks and is necessary for working in law.
The PLSC focuses on practical skills such as:
- Legal research
- Client interviews
- Drafting legal documents
- Negotiation techniques
- Advocacy and litigation
- Professional ethics
Admission to the Bar
New Zealand does not have a formal bar exam like the US. The PLSC and other academic requirements replace this.
Graduates must apply for admission to the High Court of New Zealand as barristers and solicitors. The admission process includes an oath, which results in formally joining the legal profession in New Zealand.
Supervised Practice
New Zealand lawyers must work under supervision for at least three years. You'll gain experience and develop practical knowledge in real-world legal situations during this time.
The goal of supervised practice is to ensure that new lawyers gain enough experience, legal skills, and professionalism to take on cases, represent clients, and manage legal matters responsibly.
You'll work closely with senior lawyers who provide mentorship, feedback, and support during your supervised practice.
The Differences Between Barristers and Solicitors
You can practise as a barrister or solicitor in New Zealand, though you can qualify for both.
Both barristers and solicitors are legal professions, but they differ in some fundamental ways, providing you with a range of career options to consider.
Solicitors provide general legal services, including offering advice to clients, drafting contracts, and handling legal transactions. They typically work in law firms and manage cases.
Barristers, on the other hand, specialise in court representation. They handle more complex cases that require litigation. Solicitors often refer cases to them, and they represent clients in higher courts.
Some lawyers in New Zealand practise exclusively as barristers after gaining experience as solicitors.
Career Opportunities with a Law Degree
Once qualified, lawyers in New Zealand have quite a few options and career paths.
We've already mentioned a few, but here are most of your career options.
- Solicitor: Offering legal advice, drafting documents, and representing clients in lower courts.
- Barrister: Specialising in advocacy and courtroom representation.
- Legal Adviser: Providing legal counsel to businesses or government agencies.
- Paralegal or Legal Executive: Assisting solicitors with research and documentation.
You can even pursue careers outside of traditional legal roles. Those with law degrees can also find roles in politics, journalism, or activism.
After your studies, you can complete an LLM (Master of Laws) and specialise in specific legal fields. Specialisation is often encouraged during your law degree, but you can also continue to specialise after you graduate.
Salaries and Expectations
Salaries for legal professionals will be affected by where somebody works and how long they've been practising law.
Entry-level Salaries
In New Zealand, lawyers' salaries can start between $45,000 and $70,000 a year. Of course, this will ultimately depend on where you work in the country and the law firm you work for.
Barristers tend to earn more over time than solicitors, especially once they gain experience in complex litigation.
Salaries are higher for those working in specialised legal areas, major commercial law firms, or cities like Auckland.
Mid-level Salaries
After around three to five years of practice, a solicitor in a larger city can earn between $80,000 and $120,000.
Lawyers in specialised fields like intellectual property or corporate law will also receive higher salaries.
Senior Lawyers and Partners
After around seven to ten years of experience, lawyers who become partners can greatly increase their salaries.
Salaries for senior solicitors in well-established firms can earn between $150,000 and $250,000.
Partners in top-tier commercial firms can earn $300,000.
Barrister Salaries
Barristers' salaries start like entry-level salaries but begin to pull away as you gain experience. A barrister with five to ten years of experience can command between $120,000 and $250,000.
Highly-experienced barristers, particularly those specialising in high-stakes litigation, can earn upwards of $500,000.
Public Sector Lawyers
Lawyers working for government agencies in New Zealand typically earn less than private practice but enjoy greater job security and a better work-life balance.
- Junior lawyers: $50,000 to $70,000.
- Mid-level lawyers: $80,000 to $100,000.
- Senior public sector lawyers: up to $150,000, depending on their position and responsibilities.
The Bar Exam and Overseas Lawyers
Overseas lawyers wanting to practice in New Zealand must apply to the Council of Legal Education (NZCLE). The Council assesses foreign lawyers' qualifications and determines whether they need more study or practical training to meet the country's admission standards.
Private Law Tutoring in New Zealand
Studying law anywhere in the world can be difficult. In New Zealand, students need a thorough understanding of complex legal concepts.
At university, law students are asked to take a lot of classes, and a private tutor can help you with any specific classes that are causing you problems. Tutors can also help you with study skills, making you a more effective learner.
Many tutors on the Superprof site offer the first session for free. We recommend trying a few tutors before choosing the one who's right for you. Start by creating a shortlist of potential tutors before you contact any tutors.
After all, you can learn much more from a tutor you get along well with. Similarly, tutors, just like lawyers, will have different specialisations.
Even if you need help finding suitable tutors in your local area, remember that there are private tutors across New Zealand and worldwide.
You can find tutors simply by searching for “law” on the Superprof website today!
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
