We must serve the people of Aotearoa New Zealand by regulating the profession and delivering New Zealanders excellent lawyers.
Jacque Lethbridge, President of the New Zealand Law Society
While lawyers are legal specialists, it's essential to choose the right type of lawyer. In New Zealand, understanding the different types of lawyers can help you make an informed decision. You'll be surprised at how many different fields lawyers can specialise in, so here, we'll look at how they differ and what you'd need to do if you want to become one of them.
It's also important to know about existing scholarships for studying law that can benefit you.
Understanding the Legal Profession in New Zealand
New Zealand's legal profession is a combination of British legal traditions and unique local legal practices. In reality, legal professionals in New Zealand typically fall into one of three roles: solicitors, barristers, and legal executives.
What's the Difference between Solicitors and Barristers?
In some countries, the term "lawyer" is used to refer to all legal professionals. However, in New Zealand, the roles of solicitor and barrister are distinct, though some professionals can hold both titles.
Solicitors typically handle legal matters outside of court, with their remit often including advising clients, preparing documentation, drafting contracts, and managing real estate transactions, among other responsibilities. They're the first point of contact for both individuals and businesses seeking legal guidance.
Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. When a case goes to court, a solicitor will bring in a barrister. A barrister presents arguments before a judge, cross-examines witnesses, and navigates complex law in real-time.
New Zealanders
Attorney vs Lawyers: Is There a Difference?
In New Zealand law, the term "attorney" is reserved for the powers of attorney, which are the legal authorities granted to act on someone else's behalf in financial or medical matters. The term "lawyer" is generally used to refer to those who provide legal services, whether they're a solicitor or a barrister.
In countries like the US, the issue of attorney vs. lawyers might arise. Still, in New Zealand, lawyers refer to all legal professionals, who may be a barrister or a solicitor.
The Role of Paralegals and Legal Executives
Legal executives and paralegals are not fully qualified lawyers, solicitors, or barristers, but they are vital members of legal teams. They typically specialise in legal research, drafting legal documents, and supporting lawyers in court or client meetings.
Paralegals can obtain registrations through the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives and play a key role in the legal practice.
Legal executives (also called legal assistants or associates in some contexts) are qualified professionals who assist lawyers with everyday legal work. While they are not lawyers, they often specialise in fields such as conveyancing, estates, and family law. Many legal executives are trained through the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives and may later pursue full legal qualifications.
Types of Lawyers and Their Roles
In New Zealand, the legal field encompasses a range of specialists for various types of law, as there are distinct legal needs. Here are just some of the most common legal specialisations in New Zealand.
Criminal Lawyers
A criminal lawyer is someone who defends individuals and organisations who are charged with crimes. These crimes can range from traffic offences to more serious offences. They might be defence lawyers or prosecutors (often employed by the Crown). These Criminal lawyers are frequently found in court and have to be skilled in cross-examination and legal argument.
Family Lawyers
Family lawyers specialise in legal matters of divorce, child custody, adoption, and domestic violence. They require a solid understanding of the law, while also demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, particularly when cases are emotionally sensitive and complex.
Corporate Lawyers
Corporate lawyers and commercial lawyers specialise in advising businesses on matters such as contracts, mergers, governance, and compliance. Typically, but not always, these professionals work in-house for large companies or with large law firms. Generally, they ensure legal compliance, mitigate legal risks, and facilitate smooth corporate operations.
Immigration Lawyers
Immigration specialists focus on visa applications, residency pathways, deportation challenges, and refugee status claims. This is a field that requires specialists as it constantly evolves. Professionals need to update their knowledge of immigration law regularly.
Employment Lawyers
Employment lawyers specialise in disputes between employers and employees, including unfair dismissal claims, workplace discrimination, contract disputes, and collective bargaining agreements.
Tax Lawyers
Tax lawyers help their clients with their tax obligations, audits, disputes, and international tax planning.
Lawyer Comparison – Barristers vs Solicitors
While there are areas of law to specialise in, we've mentioned that most legal professionals in New Zealand, regardless of their field, are working either as barristers or solicitors. To understand the basics of law in New Zealand, familiarise yourself with the key differences between the two roles.
Solicitor
- First point of contact for most clients
- Handles paperwork, contracts, legal advice, and negotiations
- May work in a law firm or in-house at an organisation
- Can appear in lower courts
- Manages client relationships and ongoing legal support
- Often deals with property law, family matters, wills, business contracts
Barrister
- Typically engaged by a solicitor to handle court matters
- Specialises in advocacy and litigation
- Usually self-employed and works in chambers
- Has rights of audience in higher courts, including the High Court and above
- Focuses on specific legal arguments or cases presented in court
- Often works on criminal trials, civil suits, and complex disputes
Generally, solicitors offer a broad range of legal services and manage client relationships over time. This isn't to say that barristers don't, but they're often called in by solicitors for court appearances. Lawyers in New Zealand can hold a barrister and solicitor practising certificate, acting in both capacities, but they'll usually choose one over the other.
Find out more about civil court disputes in this video.
How Much Do Lawyers Earn in New Zealand?
The amount that legal professionals in New Zealand earn will depend on several factors, including location, specialisation, and experience. Here we have just the averages.
- Barristers: NZD 82,000–216,000 per year, with high earners reaching NZD 367,000 once bonuses and allowances are factored in,
- Solicitors/Lawyers: generally range from NZD 75,000–95,000, with city-level variation: Auckland/Wellington near NZD 90K–102K; provincial areas (e.g., Tauranga, Christchurch) at NZD 80K–90K; Northland lower at NZD 60K–75K
per year.
| Role | Low (NZD) | Mid (NZD) | High (NZD) | Typical Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrister | 82000 | 150000 | 367000 | Self-employed, advocacy-heavy roles |
| Solicitor / Lawyer | 75000 | 90000 | 110000 | Firm-based or in-house general legal practice |
| Family Lawyer | 90000 | 100000 | 117500 | Dispute resolution and client support |
| Property Lawyer | 90000 | 100000 | 112500 | Real estate conveyancing |
| In-House Lawyer (Auckland) | 120000 | 130000 | 140000 | Corporate in-house legal teams |
| Employment Lawyer | 90000 | 100000 | 110000 | Brokering workplace agreements |
Legal Specialties in Demand
The legal profession will constantly evolve in response to changing times. Traditional fields, such as family, criminal, and property law, remain vital in New Zealand, but there are also emerging specialisations that are in high demand.
Technology and Cyber Law
Data breaches, privacy concerns, and digital contracts are now everyday legal issues, which means that tech-savvy lawyers are becoming increasingly important. Technology lawyers can advise on intellectual property, cybersecurity, and digital compliance, either in-house at big tech companies or at the large law firms they hire.
Environmental and Resource Management Law
The focus on sustainability, especially in New Zealand, means that environmental lawyers can advise local councils, businesses, and advocacy groups. They can even help navigate the Resource Management Act (RMA), climate policy, and land development disputes.
Employment and Workplace Law
Changes such as fair pay agreements and remote working have made employment lawyers more in demand than ever. They're called upon to resolve disputes and negotiate contracts.
Immigration Law
Government policies and border regulations are regularly updated, making immigration law a complex and dynamic field. Lawyers in immigration have to work with individuals and employers to navigate visa applications, appeals, and residency processes.
Trusts, Estates, and Elder Law
New Zealand's ageing population and rising wealth transfers are making lawyers specialising in wills, estates, and elder care more important than ever. These types of lawyers and legal professionals specialise in working with family trusts and estate planning.
- Environmental Law: Driven by climate change policies and the RMA reform.
- Technology and Privacy Law: Rapidly growing with the rise of AI and cyber threats.
- Trusts and Elder Law: More demand due to NZ’s ageing population and intergenerational wealth.
How to Choose the Right Type of Lawyer
Choosing the right lawyer or legal specialist can be tricky, especially if you're under pressure, in trouble, or just in the muddy waters of law with all its jargon and legal terms. Take a deep breath and follow these steps.
1. Define Your Legal Needs
What exactly do you need your lawyer for? Is it for drafting a will, buying a property, facing a criminal charge, or applying for residency?
If your issue is one that's regularly dealt with by a particular legal speciality, you'll be able to limit your search to legal professionals in that field confidently.
2. Know the Legal Categories
Speaking of legal fields, remember the main areas of law that we just covered and what they tend to do:
- Family Law – for separation, custody, and protection orders
- Business and Commercial Law – contracts, disputes, company formation
- Immigration Law – visas, appeals, compliance
- Employment Law – contracts, dismissal, mediation
- Criminal Law – defence or prosecution in criminal court
- Property and Real Estate Law – buying, selling, leasing land or buildings
3. Ask the Right Questions
Before committing to legal representation, ask:
- What is your experience with cases like mine?
- Are you a barrister, solicitor, or both?
- What are your estimated costs and timeframes?
- Do you offer legal aid or payment plans?
Many lawyers offer a free initial consultation, so take advantage of this opportunity to assess their communication style, clarity, and experience.
4. When in Doubt, Start with a Solicitor
Just as you would when visiting your GP when you're ill, if you have any legal issues, you can always start with a solicitor. They act as the first point of contact and can advise you on what type of specialist you might need.
| Type of Lawyer | Specialty/Area of Law |
|---|---|
| Criminal Lawyer | Defence and prosecution of crimes, court appearances, legal argument |
| Family Lawyer | Divorce, custody, protection orders, adoption, domestic issues |
| Corporate Lawyer | Business compliance, contracts, mergers, governance, commercial disputes |
| Immigration Lawyer | Visa applications, residency, deportation, refugee law |
| Employment Lawyer | Workplace disputes, unfair dismissal, employment contracts |
| Tax Lawyer | Tax disputes, audits, planning, Inland Revenue compliance |
| Property Lawyer | Buying/selling property, leases, title transfers, land law |
| Intellectual Property Lawyer | Trademarks, copyright, patents, IP registration and disputes |
| Environmental Lawyer | Resource Management Act, land use, climate regulation |
| Trusts and Estates Lawyer | Wills, estate planning, trusts, powers of attorney, elder law |
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
