Symbol of law and justice with New Zealand Flag. Photo: 123rf.com
A major law firm is pushing for a centralised pro bono system, saying too many people cannot afford access to justice.
A number of lawyers and legal firms around the country provide legal advice at no cost, but there is no large-scale formalised structure for this.
Legal aid is government funded for some low income clients, but there has been a steady decline in the number of lawyers registered to provide legal aid, due to low remuneration rates and the administrative burden.
Laura Scampion is the Country Managing Partner for the law firm DLA Piper.
She says as inflation sticks and recession looms the number of people without the means to pay for legal representation is increasing by the day.
She believes it's time for New Zealand to have a centralised pro bono system, similar to that in Australia, to help bridge this gap to justice.
