MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate use, 16 April 2014
New Zealand Law Society elects new Vice-President
The New Zealand Law Society’s Council has elected Wellington lawyer Mark Wilton as its Vice-President (Wellington).
The Law Society has four Vice-Presidents representing four areas of New Zealand: Auckland, Central North Island,
Wellington and South Island. The Vice-Presidents for Auckland (Kathryn Beck), Central North Island (John Unsworth) and
South Island (Allister Davis) were re-elected for further two year terms.
Law Society President Chris Moore was also re-elected at the Council meeting for a further one-year term. The President
and the four Vice-Presidents comprise the Law Society Board, which is responsible for acting as the executive body of
the Law Society. The Council consists of representatives of Law Society branches, Sections, the New Zealand Bar
Association and the Large Firm Corporation.
Mr Wilton replaces Nerissa Barber who retired after a two-year term. Educated in the Wairarapa, he graduated with BA and
LLB degrees from Canterbury University and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1993.
Mr Wilton travelled and worked overseas after graduation and was admitted as a barrister in England and Wales.
On his return to New Zealand he worked for law firms in the Wairarapa and Wellington before joining the New Zealand
Police Prosecution Service at the end of 2003. He is now Principal Prosecutor with the Police.
Mr Wilton is currently also President of the Wellington branch of the Law Society. He is married with two children.