They also report issues regarding workload, case complexity, stress
Respondents to the justice ministry’s targeted survey of court-appointed counsel – including lawyers for child, lawyers for subject person, lawyers to assist, lawyers for care recipients, and youth advocates – expressed concerns regarding remuneration levels.
According to a news release from the New Zealand Bar Association (NZBA), remuneration and workload emerged as the most influential considerations for court-appointed counsel deciding whether to keep accepting appointments.
Many survey respondents deemed the pay rates to be below or significantly below those for comparable work within the legal profession. The following respondents shared this sentiment:
Many survey respondents said they accepted fewer appointments because of:
According to the survey findings report, caseloads and appointment volumes varied across roles. The report shared that:
The report provided the rates of survey respondents planning to remain on their respective lists:
Regarding experience level, the report noted that:
According to the news release, the survey sought to:
“While the survey demonstrates a strong ongoing commitment to these important roles, it also highlights concerns about the long-term sustainability of the current remuneration framework,” stated the news release.
The Ministry of Justice ran its survey from 9 October 2025 to 28 November 2025. The survey received 269 responses from various types of court-appointed counsel.
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