Law Society vows to improve
The New Zealand Law Society admits ‘‘there is room for improvement’’ as it launches a range of measures in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations.
But the measures – which include a working group, webinars, and a survey – would all be about a culture where future misconduct does not happen, rather than addressing the currentlyswirling claims.
Law Society president Kathryn Beck was unable to comment on what was happening with current allegations.
She said a working group would be set up – with external input – to look at the ‘‘broader systemic issues’’ in the profession and how it could be changed.
‘‘I think, what is very clear, is the current system can and should be improved ... there is room for improvement here.’’
There was no place for sexual harassment in the law profession, she said.
‘‘It must stop. The Law Society is determined to do all it can to tackle a complex issue in an innovative and practical manner.’’
Asked if it was all talk and no action, she said: ‘‘People are going to see a lot of action’’.
On Thursday she announced the start of an online portal and dedicated helpline for workplace harassment, a webinar on harassment available to all lawyers, and meetings with groups such as women and young lawyers to look at the issues and what could be done.
There would be a survey of all lawyers looking at the cur- rent legal workplace environment and the society would work to recruit members wellplaced to provide support and advice on sensitive matters, she said.
The announcement comes after former lawyer Olivia Wensley called on the society to urgently address the culture of sexual harassment in the industry, instead of ‘‘paying lip service to the problem’’.
Wensley said the Law Society’s announcement was ‘‘underwhelming’’.
Educational measures such as a free webinar on harassment would be pointless as offenders would not be interested in attending.
Talking to women lawyers was good ‘‘but to date the Law Society has ignored our suggestions and failed to respond’’.
A national survey of all lawyers would need to be confidential, otherwise there would be no disclosure, she said. The ‘‘number one priority’’ should be an anonymous, easy way for young women to report offending without having to face negative consequences.
Wensley called for a zero tolerance policy on failure to report misconduct to NZLS, which was a statutory obligation.
Victoria University of Wellington vice-chancellor professor Grant Guilford has confirmed that in October 2016 the university received complaints about the behaviour of staff to interns at law firm Russell McVeagh during the 2015-16 summer.
A statement from Russell McVeagh’s board said the company was getting an external review in relation to the incidents.