NZ Law Society disappointed with ADLS Inc vote

22 February 2010

The New Zealand Law Society says it is disappointed at the ADLS Incorporated members’ decision not to amalgamate the two organisations.

An ADLS Inc postal ballot which closed yesterday resulted in a majority of those participating deciding against liquidating ADLS Inc and transferring some of its assets to the Law Society.

New Zealand Law Society Law Society President Jonathan Temm today said the result was a “huge disappointment”.

“It is particularly difficult for a group of sincere and hard-working people from both organisations who have worked consistently over the past two years to resolve the issues between the organisations,” Mr Temm said.

“A lot of time has been spent looking at how the two groups could come together, with each bringing its strengths and qualities to form one strong organisation to regulate and lead New Zealand’s legal profession. Unfortunately ADLS Inc members have decided otherwise and we now accept that amalgamation is not going to happen.

“We have been advised that around 900 out of 1800 ADLS Inc voting members participated in the ballot and the result was about 2:1 against amalgation.”

Mr Temm said the New Zealand Law Society would move to begin delivery of representative and other services to Auckland and Northland practitioners. These had been placed on hold while the negotiations on amalgamation took place over the last two years.

He said the positive outcome was that with the vote now clear, the two organisations could disengage on the amalgamation issue and focus on service delivery.

“The New Zealand Law Society will always remain open to dialogue with ADLS Inc, but it appears that the best opportunity for the organisations to join together has been lost. Both organisations need to move on from this.”

The Auckland branch of the New Zealand Law Society regulates and represents 4,990 practitioners, who make up 43% of all New Zealand lawyers. Mr Temm said most of ADLS Inc’s members were also members of the New Zealand Law Society, which would obviously continue to regulate and provide representative services to them as well as to all other New Zealand lawyers.

ENDS

© Scoop Media