Membership Information

To be an effective and successful family lawyer, you need contacts with colleagues. As well as receiving complimentary copies of The Family Advocate, active membership of the Section provides you with important networking opportunities, including -

• participating in/attending conferences and seminars;
• making a contribution to the work done by Section committees;
• attending special Section educational, consultation and social events during the year;
• receiving and responding to monthly email bulletins;

• use of the discussion forums contained in the member’s only section of the website.

Government policy on family law doesn’t just happen. The Family Law Section is the national professional body representing the interests of New Zealand family lawyers and as such has a voice in the policy-making process and is frequently consulted by the Government and the Family Court. As a member you would have the opportunity to contribute directly to that process.

As a member, unless you state otherwise, your contact details will be listed on the Section’s ‘Search our Member Database' on this site. Your details will be listed by geographical region and areas of speciality. This online directory of members is readily available to members of the public worldwide and makes you instantly identifiable (nationally and internationally) as a New Zealand family lawyer. Your entry can also include a linked e-mail address, as well as normal contact information. There is also a directory of members who are counsel for the child on which your contact details will be listed.

Membership of the Section is voluntary. Full membership will be open to any member of the New Zealand Law Society ie a practising certificate is required. There is no requirement as to the amount of family law practised. Only full members of the Section may exercise voting rights at meetings or in relation to the affairs or activities of the Section. Associate members can include academics, any person who has obtained a law degree and is actively involved in family law, foreign lawyers actively involved in family law, associate members of the Society, associate members of district law societies and judges.

Membership fees
Membership fees are subject to change from year to year. Membership for the 2008 year is $200 per person (GST inclusive) for full and associate membership. A three year discounted fee is available ($500 including GST).

An introductory membership discounted fee is also available.

Introductory membership - New practitioners are eligible for a full membership fee discount of 50% in the first two years of being granted a practising certificate.

To join the Section, click on link to download our membership form in either pdf format or Microsoft Word.