New powers allowing welfare officials to secretly approach beneficiaries' banks or workplaces if they suspected them of committing fraud are being questioned.

A lawyer from Dargaville has been has been struck off and rebuked by the Law Society for failing to respond to his client's instructions and then lying about it.

A lawyer struck off over accusations of stealing nearly $3 million from clients has had 33 criminal charges laid against him.

An Auckland property lawyer has been struck off the professional roll of barristers and solicitors after admitting charges of misconduct.

West Auckland lawyer Edward Johnston has been struck off the register for misconduct, including using money from clients for his own personal benefit.

A former North Island mayor has applied for the High Court to dismiss some of the charges he is facing in a Serious Fraud Office case.

The Law Society is urging the Government to drop plans to give itself extraordinary powers to change the Resource Management Act in order to establish "special housing areas" intended to fast track affordable housing.

A former Central Hawkes Bay mayor and lawyer who used client funds to pay off debts owed by his company has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors.

The email mistakes that embarrassed the Earthquake Commission and ACC are having ramifications for the public's right to access information from the state.

High-profile West Coast criminal lawyer Doug Taffs has been suspended from practising law for three months for bringing the legal profession into disrepute.

Sir Owen Glenn's inquiry into child abuse and domestic violence says more children may be abused if they are forced to have contact with violent parents under proposed family law changes.

Disgraced lawyer Barry Hart has had his appeal against being declared bankrupt struck out, partly because he was not able to pay nearly $6000 security of costs for the hearing.

A lawyer has won a case against the New Zealand Law Society after it failed to correctly process his 86 complaints.

The former high-flying barrister was one of a select few to be honoured with a Queen's Diamond Jubilee SPCA Volunteer Medal at the Government House ceremony, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to animal cruelty prevention.

The New Zealand Law Society is investigating a complaint over the way a former top barrister and prosecutor was treated in the Auckland District Court this week.

Disgraced lawyer Barry Hart was "vague and evasive" when it came to discussing his fees that included a $1000 an hour charge-out rate, a court has heard.

Disgraced lawyer Barry Hart is back at the High Court today in a bid to save his 46-year career.

"I would not be as chirpy as I am if I hadn't been going every week for the past three years to see a therapist," writes Deborah Hill Cone. That costs $180 an hour per week.

Televising what occurs in the courts, tribunals and commissions of inquiry is a public service, demanding professional judgement and editing.