Duty Lawyer Training Programme

Learning objectives  l  Ministry of Justice Requirements  l  Times & locations  l  Transfer & Cancellation policy
Duty lawyers are critical to the smooth running of a District Court list. Here is a way to gain more of the knowledge and skills you need to join this important group.

You will:

• Undertake self directed pre-course reading and preparation on the role of a duty lawyer.
• Attend an introductory session in the area in which you intend to practise.
• Arrange to accompany and observe experienced duty lawyers for a minimum of five half days.
• Work through a series of realistic scenarios with an experienced duty lawyer, then sit an open book exam.
• Make critiqued appearances as a duty lawyer at a practice court.
• Be observed and assessed while making your first appearance as a duty lawyer.

You MUST be prepared to do sufficient study and preparation for these sessions.

Ministry of Justice requirements 

As well as completion of the programme, you will need to meet the Ministry of Justice’s general listing criteria for duty lawyers. The MOJ says that being listed as a duty lawyer does not guarantee a place on any roster. See the MOJ website, www.justice.govt.nz for more information.

Administration 

The introduction, advising, examination and practice court sessions are all run in the five main centres. In addition, introductory sessions are also held in a number of smaller centres. The introduction and final (assessed) appearance must be attended in the region in which you intend to practise.

All participants are required to attend the advising, examination and practice court sessions in one of the main centres. These sessions are held on a Friday afternoon and the following Saturday morning.

If you practise in a town which is not shown, we may be able to help you organise an introductory session in your area.

Learning objectives

At the completion of this programme you will be able to:

• Recognise what information is required to advise properly list court defendants.
• Advise defendants as to the best course of action in their individual case.
• Recognise when to seek advice for a particular situation from a more experienced duty lawyer.
• Recognise the limites to the duty lawyer role.
• Appear in the list court to make the appropriate application/submission for a defendant.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to ethical issues arising for a duty lawyer.
• Know how to interact appropriately with the Community Probation Service, the Police, the Forensic Nurse and other services assisting in the list court.

Who should attend 

Those who intend to seek to be listed as a duty lawyer. As an adult learner you will need to be able to assess properly, and fill independently, the gaps in your own knowledge of the relevant legislation and processes of the criminal law jurisdiction by extra study and usually, extra observations.
Note:

• You must hold a practising certificate in order to complete the course; and
• Criteria for listing changed as from 1 July 2013 - Legal Services (Quality Assurance) Amendment Regulations 2013. For roster selection criteria see: Click here

Materials

Materials will be supplied when you have registered and paid the programme fee. Please read carefully all instructions, requirements and assessment procedures to ensure you are fully prepared for each component of the course.

We suggest that you register at least three weeks before the introductory session you wish to attend so that you can start on your observations and prepare for the introductory session.

Fee (incl GST)

Entry Level Workshop

• $490

Fee includes all materials and catering

Do you want to register more than one person for this course? Click here

Download PDF brochure and registration form here.

Timing & Locations

• Day 1: Introduction, 2.00pm - 5.30pm, (*)2.00pm - 5.00pm
• Day 2: Advising session: 1.00pm - 6.00pm
• Day 3: Practice court: 8.30am - 1.30pm 

*CPD hours

Please Note: CPD Hours will vary in different centres. Main centres (bold) will qualify for 11 CPD hours and smaller centres will qualify for 10.5 CPD hours.
 

The introduction and final (assessed) appearance must be attended in the region in which you intend to practise.
	Introduction	Advising Session	Practice Court
Christchurch	9 February	16 March	17 March
Timaru	9 February	16 March (in Chch)	17 March (in Chch)
Wellington 1	9 March	20 April	21 April
Nelson	9 March	20 April (in Wgtn)	21 April (in Wgtn)
Auckland	6 April	8 June	9 June
Gisborne	6 April	8 June (in Akd)	9 June (in Akd)
Hamilton	22 June	27 July	28 July
Tauranga	19 June	27 July (in Ham)	28 July (in Ham)
Rotorua	22 June	27 July (in Ham)	28 July (in Ham)
Dunedin	29 June	14 September	15 September
Invercargill	29 June	14 September (in Dun)	15 September (in Dun)
Wellington 2	3 August	5 October	6 October
Whanganui	3 August	5 October (in Wgtn)	6 October (in Wgtn)
Hawkes Bay	3 August	5 October (in Wgtn)	6 October (in Wgtn)
New Plymouth	3 August	5 October (in Wgtn)	6 October (in Wgtn)
Palmerston North	3 August	5 October (in Wgtn)	6 October (in Wgtn)
Manukau	21 September	2 November	3 November
Whangarei	21 September	2 November (in Man)	3 November (in Man)

Transfer Policy

You may transfer your registration to another centre for the exam and practice court session. We must be notified 10 working days in advance and you will be charged a $100 (incl GST) administration fee. If less than 10 days but greater than 5 days notice is given the transfer fee will be $150 (incl GST). If fewer than 5 days notice is given, the request will be treated as a cancellation.

Cancellation Policy

Before the introductory session:

If you notify us of your cancellation 10 or more working days in advance of an introduction session and you return your materials in a saleable condition, a full refund less an administration fee of $100 (incl GST) will be made. If less than 10 working days’ notice is given the administration fee is $150 (incl GST).

Before the exam and practice court session:

If you cancel your registration with 10 or more working days’ notice before the exam and practice court session, a refund of $150 (incl GST) will be payable. If less than 10 days’ notice is given or you fail to attend on the day no refund will be made.

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