The New Zealand Lawyers' Society is an informal body which was established in March 1993 to promote the interests of New Zealand law and lawyers in England. We have a membership of approximately 300-400, comprising solicitors, barristers, academics, corporate, banking and business lawyers, and students. Our patron is Lord Cooke of Thorndon. The Lawtalk report of our inaugural meeting gives more background as to the formation of the Society.

The Society usually holds 4 functions a year, at which a prominent New Zealand lawyer speaks on a topical subject. However, the next occasion we meet will be to commemorate the life of the late Lord Cooke of Thorndon, who died in Wellington on 30 August 2006. The Memorial Service will be held at the Temple Church at 17.45 on Thursday, 3 May 2007, and afterwards at the Inner Temple Hall. See directions to both at the Temple Church. All New Zealand lawyers are welcome.

It is hoped that you will attend to honour Lord Cooke's memory. Robin Cooke was not only an outstanding scholar and jurist, he was also a great humanitarian and liberal across all fields of law. He inspired countless academics and young lawyers with his love of the law and his visionary application of its principles to make society a better place for us all. After graduating from Victoria University with an LLM and an MA, he acquired a PHD at Gonville and Caius and won the Yorke prize. Following this exceptional start to his study of the law, Lord Cooke went on to enjoy an extraordinarily rich life which included becoming the youngest New Zealand silk at the age of 38 in 1964, a Supreme Court judge in 1972, appointment to the Court of Appeal in 1976, Knight Batchelor in 1977, President of the Court of Appeal in 1986, recipient of honorary doctorates from both Cambridge and Oxford Universities, Law Lord in 1996 and recipient of the Order of New Zealand in 2002. Could you please go to the Forthcoming Functions page if you wish to attend the memorial service.

In addition to holding functions for its members the Society tries to assist New Zealand lawyers to find employment, helps English lawyers who are inquiring about emigrating to New Zealand and fields a significant number of enquiries by English people about legal problems they have in New Zealand, and for its members. This site provides information and guidance in relation to most of the foregoing areas. If you are a New Zealand lawyer in the UK, or if you are contemplating coming to the UK, we hope you find this site useful, and look forward to your joining the Society and coming to our functions.