Is there a demand for lawyers in New Zealand?

Asked by: Polly Heidenreich DDS  |  Last update: July 4, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (20 votes)

Demand for experienced solicitors has increased in commercial and insurance law due to high levels of construction, corporate investment, and a strong property market. Between 2011 and 2017 the number of solicitors grew by 11.8% to over 11,000. According to the Census, 11,865 solicitors worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Is it hard to get a job as a lawyer in NZ?

With a very large number of law students graduating each year, and a limited number of entry-level lawyer positions, it is difficult for a new graduate to get work as a lawyer. Many recent graduates are getting jobs in other industries instead.

Do lawyers make good money NZ?

How much does a Lawyer make in New Zealand? The average lawyer salary in New Zealand is $91,321 per year or $46.83 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $69,334 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $125,018 per year.

What type of lawyer makes the most money NZ?

Pay
  • Solicitors with less than one year's experience usually earn $53,000 to $58,000 a year.
  • Solicitors with two to four years' experience usually earn $55,000 to $101,000.
  • Solicitors with more than four years' experience usually earn $70,000 to $175,000.

What type of lawyer is in most demand?

Legal Hotlist Takeaways
  • Insurance: +2190% (YoY) ...
  • Criminal Law: +1680% (YoY) ...
  • Civil Rights: +1160% (YoY) ...
  • Personal Injury: +660% (YoY) ...
  • Estate Planning: +330% (YoY) ...
  • Bankruptcy: +280% (YoY) ...
  • Employment Law: +190% (YoY) (Top growth area: Wrongful Termination) ...
  • Business Law: +140% (YoY) (Top growth area: Contracts)

How much do lawyers earn in New Zealand

28 related questions found

What type of lawyers are in demand 2021?

Corporate Lawyers

Among the types of lawyers, Corporate Law experts are in great demand due to their specialization in contract law, securities law, bankruptcy, tax law, accounting, intellectual property rights, licensing, zoning laws, etc.

What is the easiest lawyer to become?

Estate Planning. Although being a legal clerk is the easiest career path, it is only suited for beginners. Estate planning wins the most stress-free legal practice area when practicing law for lawyers. Many lawyers avoid estate planning as it is a field of law associated with death.

How long does it take to become a Lawyer NZ?

Studying law in Australia or New Zealand

In Australia, you'll spend a minimum of four years studying to become a lawyer. You'll pursue one of two degrees: a 4-year Bachelor of Law degree (LLB) or a combined LLB (5+ years). In New Zealand, an LLB takes four years to complete, and a combined LLB takes five.

Do lawyers make a lot of money NZ?

Lawyer - Average Salary NZ

The median (average) salary for a Lawyer in New Zealand is NZ$115,848 per year (NZ$55.70 per hour), which is 97% higher than the national median (average) salary. Lawyer salary range: NZ$41,212 to NZ$200,000 (excluding bonuses and benefits).

What is the highest paying job in NZ?

The highest-paying job in New Zealand is that of CEO or Managing Director. They earn, on the low end, around NZ$120,000 per year and, on average, around NZ$560,000 per year. On the high end, they can earn as much as NZ$4.5 million per year!

How much do junior lawyers make NZ?

A more recent survey, conducted by NZ LAW Ltd and released in 2019, found similar results in terms of annual salaries. In that survey, the lowest full-time equivalent salary rate for a junior solicitor was $39,000, with the median salary being $49,272. The actual salary median amounted to $46,750 per annum.

How many law graduates a year NZ?

Law Talk, on 11 March 2016, reported that there are currently 1650 law graduates a year.

Is law a high paying career?

Many top law firms are paying the highest salaries to their employees in India. The tier I law firms pay[2] 10-17 lakhs per annum for a fresh graduate and if a fresher can glorify him in the firm , the salary would range from around 80 lakhs to 1 Crore.

How do I become a foreign lawyer in New Zealand?

In order to obtain a full licence to practise New Zealand law in this jurisdiction, foreign lawyers must have his or her overseas qualifications assessed (see www.nzcle.org.nz), complete any requirements, obtain a certificate of character and certificate of completion, seek admission as a barrister and solicitor, and ...

Is law a demanding career?

Law as a profession is in great demand these days. Due to the changing social and economic circumstances and the ever-increasing regulatory role being undertaken by the government there is a rising demand for the lawyers. Besides being financially lucrative, Law is an adventurous and exciting career option.

Is there a bar exam in NZ?

New Zealand Council of Legal Education. 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.

How many lawyers are there in NZ?

The number of lawyers practising in New Zealand continues to rise. at 1 February 2019 there were 13,530 based in New Zealand – up 3.4% from 13,087 at 1 February 2018. another 803 lawyers held New Zealand practising certificates but were based overseas (up from 756 a year earlier).

What does a barrister earn in NZ?

Barristers with less than one year's experience usually earn $53,000 to $58,000 a year. Barristers with two to four years' experience usually earn $55,000 to $101,000. Barristers with more than four years' experience can earn $70,000 to $175,000.

How much does a lawyer cost NZ?

How much does a lawyer cost in New Zealand? The cost of a lawyer will depend on what legal advice you need. Fixed-fees can vary from $250 upwards while hourly rates vary between $200 – $600 per hour.

What types of lawyers are there in NZ?

There are two types of lawyers in New Zealand - barristers and solicitors. Barristers do court work and solicitors do other legal work that does not require them to represent their clients in court. Most lawyers are qualified as both but usually choose to do either court work or legal work.

Do you have to be smart to be a lawyer?

You need good grades in high school so you can get into a good college or university. Then once you are there, you need a good GPA and good credentials so you can be competitive when you apply for the limited spots reputable law schools have open. So the answer is yes, you do need to be smart to be a lawyer.

How do I become a lawyer with a foreign LLB in New Zealand?

Requirements to practice law in New Zealand
  1. Complete a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) approved by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE). ...
  2. Complete the Professional Legal Studies Course at either the Institute of Professional Legal Studies or College of Law. ...
  3. Obtain a certificate of completion from the NZCLE.

What type of lawyers are the happiest?

The happiest attorneys, therefore, are those who experience a cultural fit. This means they work for firms where they are free to act independently, do work that matters to them and collaborate on teams with people who complement their personality and communication style.

Which law field is in demand?

Specializations- Cyber Law, Banking Law, Intellectual Property Law, etc. Certain areas in law have experienced vast development and growth. This growth would reflect directly in increased market demand for lawyers specializing in fields such as cyberlaw, tax law, intellectual property law, etc.

What type of lawyer has the least stress?

However, there are many sectors of law which are less stressful:
  • Real estate law.
  • Intellectual property law.
  • High Street family law.
  • Government lawyers.
  • Working In-House.