What will this mean for overseas lawyers and graduates?
Overseas lawyers and graduates seeking admission to the High Court of New Zealand can apply to the Council for an assessment of their qualifications.
If you apply for an assessment before 1 January 2025, you will not have to meet the new requirements, unless the Council's assessment, or the study or training you were required to complete under that assessment, have become stale – meaning they are more than 10 years old.
If you apply for an assessment after 1 January 2025, the Council may require you to complete the new compulsory law course on Tikanga Māori (Māori Laws and philosophy) (in addition to other study or training).
For more information about Overseas Law Qualifications click here.
Completion certificates
Processing time
Please allow for 6 to 8 weeks (up to 40 working days) processing time from the date your application is received by the Council. All applications received will be processed as soon as possible, but we cannot guarantee the date of receipt of your certificate. Please do not contact the council to enquire about the status of your application as this causes further delays.
Courier
If you would like to send your application in as a physical copy, please be aware that we can ONLY receive physical applications via our P.O. Box 5671 Wellington. If you use a courier for this please ensure the courier you make use of is able to deliver to a PO Box.
Please ensure that you address your application to the Completion Certificate Division.
NZ Law Graduates only
Email application process - NZ Law Graduates Only
In the event you require a fast-tracked completion certificate application, please email completioncertificatesnz@nzcle.org.nz. When sending applications to this email, please note that you will not receive a reply to any queries sent with your application. All queries should be directed to operations@nzcle.org.nz.
Fast-track fee - NZ Law Graduates Only
In the event you require a fast-tracked completion certificate application, please email completioncertificatesnz@nzcle.org.nz. Your certificate should be dispatched within 8 working days from the date we receive the application, granted that payment and all correct documentation is received. The fast-track fee is $200 (including GST) and is in addition to the standard fee of $189.75 (including GST). Note the fast-track timeframe of 8 working days is not a guarantee as we rely on external organisations and institutions to verify your supporting documentation.
NZLP Examination
New Zealand sitting only
The next two sittings for the NZLP examination will take place on 18 and 19 July 2023 and 14 and 15 November 2023.
The New Zealand examination will be sat at the University law faculties.
NZLPE Application Form NZ Sitting July 2023
For enrolments and administrative enquiries please contact the Examination Administrator Breid Keating at NZLPexam@nzcle.org.nz. For academic inquiries please contact the Academic Co-ordinator Professor Catherine Iorns Magallanes at Catherine.Iorns@vuw.ac.nz. For all other enquiries please contact operations@nzcle.org.nz.
Enrolment closes on 23 June 2023.
Please refer to the Law Practice Exam tab for more.
Overseas sitting only
No overseas sitting will be held in 2023, however the Council may allow each applicant to sit the NZLP examination in their home country provided they can satisfy the necessary requirements.
The next sitting for the NZLP examination will take place on 18 and 19 July 2023 and 14 and 15 November 2023.
Each applicant needs to arrange a suitable venue and independent invigilator at their own cost. Preferable venues are:
- Education institution
- Consulate
- Business advisory Council New Zealand
- New Zealand Embassy
Refer to the Law Practice Exam tab for more details on the overseas venue process.
Please note the NZLP Examinations are held in accordance with the Conduct of the New Zealand Law and Practice Examination Regulations 1996. The regulations can be found on our website www.nzcle.org.nz under the header "About Us".
NZLPE Application Form Overseas Sitting July 2023
For enrolments and administrative enquiries please contact the Examination Administrator Breid Keating at NZLPexam@nzcle.org.nz. For academic inquiries please contact the Academic Co-ordinator Professor Catherine Iorns Magallanes at Catherine.Iorns@vuw.ac.nz. For all other enquiries please contact operations@nzcle.org.nz
Each application venue will be considered individually, and you will be advised of our decision within 10 working days from receipt of application. The Council may decline to approve any venue at its discretion.
Enrolment closes on 9 June 2023.
Please refer to the Law Practice Exam tab for more.