Pay rates for duty lawyers will increase alongside a wider review of the duty lawyer service, Legal Services Commissioner Tracey Baguley has announced.
From 1 August, the hourly rate for duty lawyers will rise from $88 to $103 on weekdays and from $108 to $126 on weekends.
The change to duty lawyer rates will create more consistency as lawyers will receive similar payments when working as duty lawyers as when they are working as legal aid lawyers.
In addition, the Legal Services Commissioner has announced a broad scope review of the duty lawyer service.
The review will evaluate the current state of the duty lawyer service and make recommendations on how it may more effectively and efficiently provide legal advice and assistance to defendants in the District Court.
“Duty lawyers play an important part in New Zealand's justice system and uphold the right of any unrepresented and/or vulnerable defendant to access a lawyer without delay,” said Tracey Baguley.
“The increase in duty lawyer remuneration is in response to duty lawyers’ immediate concerns about pay rates, alongside a longer-term commitment to review the duty lawyer service,” she added.
The review will be led externally and include an advisory group of key stakeholders including members of the profession. It is expected to start in August 2023 and be completed by February 2024.