Law Society contacts practicing lawyers to offer support in specific fields during COVID-19
The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has called for lawyers to provide pro bono aid to community law centres in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The group contacted all practicing lawyers in cooperation with the New Zealand Bar Association to compile a list of legal experts for the reference of community law centres.
Specifically, Law Society Chief Executive Helen Morgan-Banda said that they are seeking legal support for matters involving employment, family (shared-care arrangements), immigration and tenancy – issues that have understandably arisen due to the effects of the pandemic.
In Law Society’s email, she called for lawyers who were willing and able to complete the “expression of interest” form on the Bar’s website and confirm their availability.
“This information will then be provided to community law centres for follow up,” Morgan-Banda said.
According to a report by Reuters, the American Bar Association had launched a similar initiative in March, with a number of volunteer lawyers preparing to offer pro bono assistance on cases dealing with areas such as employment, bankruptcy and domestic violence.
The “task force” included representatives from organisations like the Legal Services Corp, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association and the National Centre for State Courts.
