Requalifying as a Lawyer in New Zealand: A Guide for Foreign-Qualified Lawyers

The age-old saying that “the world is a village” has never been more accurate, with globalisation and the ease of movement across countries enabled by immigration initiatives and technology. While New Zealand leverages international talent to address gaps in the local market across various sectors, the hiring of foreign-qualified lawyers remains slow.  
 
However, as the legal market changes, novel challenges such as AI use emerge, and firms face staffing shortages, we are seeing an openness to considering foreign lawyers, particularly those from Common Law jurisdictions. New Zealand is also an attractive place to call home. We receive regular enquiries from foreign lawyers about how to make the move here. It is internationally touted for its incredible lifestyle, safety, and work-life balance, attracting many foreign-qualified lawyers to New Zealand’s shores.

Whether you're a foreign lawyer relocating permanently or exploring a temporary international career experience, understanding the pathways to practice law in New Zealand is essential.

Practising Law in New Zealand

The New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) is the body responsible for the registration (by issuing a practising certificate), regulation, and professional development of lawyers practising in New Zealand. They are not responsible for overseeing the requalification process. However, not all foreign-qualified lawyers need to be registered with the NZLS. There are many who make a meaningful contribution to workplaces without holding a practising certificate.

Under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, a foreign lawyer may provide legal services in New Zealand with some caveats:

• They cannot use titles such as “lawyer” or “solicitor”. They can use titles such as “Legal Advisor” or “UK-qualified Solicitor”.
• They cannot work in “reserved areas of legal work,” including representing clients in court, giving legal direction in proceedings, and performing certain statutory functions - for example certifying and signing conveyancing transactions.

A foreign lawyer may:

• advise on the law in their home jurisdiction or international law and
• advise outside of the reserved areas such as commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, employment law, and more.
   

This flexibility allows many foreign-qualified professionals to build careers in New Zealand’s legal sector while working toward full admission.
 

Requalifying to Practice in New Zealand

However, firms prefer foreign-qualified lawyers to work towards admission to practice, and some may offer financial support for the process. This is especially important if the lawyer intends to stay in New Zealand long-term and, in the case of private practice, to join a firm’s partnership.

The New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE) sits separately from the NZLS. It is responsible for assessing overseas qualifications and experience to determine if it meets the standards required to practise law in New Zealand.

Any foreign lawyer wanting to requalify must follow the same process:
 

Step 1: Application

An application is made to NZCLE for an assessment of your qualifications. This application includes a bundle of supporting documents in English and the payment of an application fee, currently in the region of +-$2,400. Examples of supporting documents include your proof of admission in the foreign jurisdiction and university-certified copies of transcripts, all of which must be translated if not originally in English. Specific directions can be found at the New Zealand Council of Legal Education.
 

Step 2: Further Study

NZCLE will assess your application and issue a letter outlining the requirements for your requalification. Depending on your background, you may have to complete specific subjects at a New Zealand University such as Public Law, Legal Ethics, or Contract Law or sit the New Zealand Law and Practice Examination.

In some cases, you may also need to complete the Professional Legal Studies Course (PLSC), a practical training programme similar to the LPC in the UK or the PLT in Australia. There are additional costs associated with the study, exams, and PLSC, which can range from $10,000 to $15,000.

Step 3: Admission as a Solicitor in NZ

Once you’ve met NZCLE’s requirements, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, which allows you to apply for admission to the High Court of New Zealand. You’ll also need a Certificate of Character from the NZLS confirming your fitness to practise. An NZ-qualified lawyer must move your application for admission to the High Court. Once admitted, you can apply for a practising certificate.

This process can take anywhere from several months to several years, depending on the complexity of your case, your personal circumstances, and the number of requirements imposed.

As is clear from the above, the requalification pathway in New Zealand for a foreign lawyer is not without its complexities, duration, and cost. There is no doubt that NZCLE serves an important function in ensuring all lawyers who practice as a “solicitor” in New Zealand have the knowledge and expertise to protect the public at large. However, in many cases, foreign lawyers view the complex process as burdensome and convoluted, especially when they bring extensive experience and/or come from jurisdictions with similar laws such as the United Kingdom.

The NSW Route: A Strategic Alternative

We have encountered several foreign lawyers, particularly those from common law jurisdictions, who have followed a different route to admission in New Zealand: qualifying in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and then transferring that admission under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.

The NSW admission process is overseen by the state’s Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB). Foreign lawyers must submit their academic and professional qualifications for assessment, much like the NZCLE process.

Depending on the outcome, they may be required to complete additional law subjects or undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT). Once admitted in NSW, lawyers can apply for a practising certificate and begin practising in Australia. According to the lawyers we have spoken to who have followed this process, it is a cheaper, easier, and faster route than that offered by NZCLE.

The real advantage comes next. Under the TTMRA, lawyers admitted in NSW can apply for admission in New Zealand without undergoing further academic or practical assessment. The process is streamlined as applicants need only demonstrate that they are currently admitted and in good standing in Australia. They must still apply to the High Court of New Zealand and obtain a practising certificate from the NZLS, but the pathway is significantly faster and less burdensome than the direct NZCLE route.

Final thoughts

Foreign-qualified lawyers bring valuable perspectives and expertise to New Zealand’s legal profession and serve to fill the skills gap that currently exists in the market. It is frustrating, therefore, that there is an arduous onshore process for requalification, which is out of touch with competing jurisdictions like the UK, Canada, and Australia. Their established and streamlined processes allow for quicker transition to practice and make them more appealing to prospective immigrants considering their overseas options.

However, with the right guidance and planning, including understanding the New Zealand legal landscape, foreign-qualified lawyers can successfully navigate the process and build fulfilling careers in Aotearoa New Zealand. If you're considering a move to New Zealand or exploring legal career opportunities here, our team is here to help. As specialist legal recruiters with deep knowledge of the local market and international qualification pathways, we’re well-placed to support your journey.

Consultant - Legal
Email: suanne.briggs@robertwalters.co.nz
Mobile: +6427 262 3914