Lawyers Urged To Help One Another

NZLS president Jonathan Temm disappointed in some lawyers

LawFuel - The Law Jobs and News Wire - Some lawyers are putting undue pressure upon their colleagues in Christchurch to undertake commercial or property settlements.

Law Society president Jonathan Temm has emailed lawyers to request that they resist putting "unreasonable pressure" on Christchurch lawyers, a great many of whom have lost their offices and have no access to files, deeds or computers.

"I urge all members of the profession to act responsibly and be realistic about current events in Christchurch", Mr Temm said in his email. He requested that lawyers show tolerance and empathy for their colleagues.

"Everyone in Christchurch has a moving story to tell of a time when being a member of the legal profession lost any meaning, and survival was the only concern," he said.

"Now that the focus is slowly moving back to the future of their practice and what they do from here, the overwhelmingly warm and generous response from the legal profession is providing excellent support. However, it is clear that many Christchurch lawyers are having to operate in an environment which is often far worse than that they experienced in September 2010 and since."

The Law Society is monitoring lawyers in Christchurch in an effort to ensure they are all accounted for, with a current shortfall of around 400 being listed by the Society. This simply means that many have yet to make contact with the NZLS given the major disruption to their professional and personal lives.

The Law Society also set up a special support fund for Canterbury lawyers following the September earthquake, designed to assist lawyers and their families facing hardship. President Temm has reminded lawyers elsewhere to contribute to the benevolent fund.

ENDS

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