www.nzcle.org.nz

New Zealand Council of Legal Education

The New Zealand Law and Practice Examination

The Council requires almost all overseas applicants to pass all, or a number of Parts, of an examination on the law of New Zealand - The New Zealand Law and Practice Examination.

The Examination consists of a six Part written Examination following a comprehensive self-taught prescription. It is generally held bi-annually, over a period of four days. The purpose of the Examination is to test the applicant's knowledge of the distinct features of the New Zealand law, and proceeds on the basis that the applicant will already have an understanding of the common law principles in that subject, by virtue of the applicant's overseas law degree.

The Examination covers the areas of Legal System, Contract Law, Criminal Law, Property Law, Torts, and Equity and Succession. Each Part consists of one written Examination of 90 minutes duration.

An Information Pack for the Examination is available by email. Please contact operations@nzcle.org.nz.

Important Notice Regarding NZLPE

At the October 2012 Council meeting, the New Zealand Council of Legal Education determined that as from February 2013 the Examination may only be sat at a New Zealand University Law School, or at one approved venue in the United Kingdom. This followed an earlier amendment which limited overseas sittings to London only. Prior to that, the Examination was held at any overseas venue approved by the Council. The need to change arose out of growing security concerns, and the need to ensure consistency and fairness in the invigilation of the Examination.