Online legal services: know the rules
The NZ Law Society lays down the law about websites offering legal services
The number of websites offering legal services has increased and users should remember they have the same rights and protections online as consulting a lawyer in person, the New Zealand Law Society said.
The services offered online included will preparation, application for limited drivers’ licenses and the formation of trusts, said Society president Jonathan Temm
The society advised New Zealanders that lawyers must provide certain information to clients, whether online or off.
This included their terms of engagement, such as fees, whether the lawyer holds indemnity insurance and how the client can make a complaint if unhappy with the service.
These must be put in writing before the lawyer begins working for the client, the society said.
Any up-front payments must be made into a trust account, from which fees cannot be removed without an account of services provided or a written authority from the client.
The society advised that people should be wary of websites offering legal services that do not specify that a lawyer will work for them.
This was because clients might end up paying for information available elsewhere for free, said Mr Temm.
“But worse is that if you don’t know who is providing you with the service, you may not have any recourse if things go wrong”.
To refer to oneself as a ‘lawyer’ in New Zealand, a person must hold a current practising certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society. These holders are regulated by the society and required to protect their clients’ interests.
Only a lawyer can offer legal advice in areas of work classified as ‘reserved’, which covers advice about actual or potential legal proceedings.
NBR Staff
Thu, 07 Apr 2011
Thu, 07 Apr 2011
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Online legal services: know the rules
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