Law and Practice exams

The New Zealand Law and Practice Examination

The Council requires many overseas applicants to pass all or a number of Parts of an examination on the law of New Zealand.

The Examination consists of a six Part written Examination following a comprehensive self-taught prescription. The exam is held twice a year. Each sitting consists of two days (three Parts per day). 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. Each Part consists of one written Examination of 90 minutes duration.

Please note when looking at past papers, the examination papers from and including 2025 will no longer include the prescriptions/case list as an appendix.

Notice to Part VI Equity Candidates

The examiner wishes to clarify two points concerning the current Part VI Equity prescription.

Kusabs v Staite [2019] NZCA 420

Although this Court of Appeal decision was recalled, the relevant legal principles and their application were affirmed by the Supreme Court in Staite v Kusabs [2022] NZSC 123. Candidates should therefore still familiarise themselves with those general principles despite the recall. The Court of Appeal decision is available on NZLII and in the New Zealand Law Reports at [2023] 2 NZLR 144.

Reference to "LSF"

The reference to "LSF" appearing after Erceg v Erceg under the heading Creation of Trusts was included in error. It is a remnant fragment of a case that was removed from the prescription, and is not examinable.

The examiner apologises for any confusion caused and thanks candidates who have drawn these matters to their attention.

2026 Examination Sittings

The next sitting for the 2026 NZLP examination will take place on:

• 24 and 25 November 2026

Candidates are responsible for their own travel, insurance and visa arrangements for attendance at NZLP exam sittings, and are advised to follow and monitor Government travel advice for their journey.

NZ Sitting

The examination will be held at the following venues: Auckland University, Waikato University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury, and University of Otago.

UK Sitting

The overseas examination sittings will be held at Queen Mary University of London (Mile End Campus).

Additional Information and Application Forms

For enrolments and administrative enquiries please contact the Examination Administrator Breid Keating at NZLPexam@nzcle.org.nz. For all other enquiries please contact operations@nzcle.org.nz