Solicitor
What's it like to be a Solicitor?
A Solicitor (Rōia) works with clients on a wide range of legal issues. Part of their job involves undertaking in-depth research in relevant areas of the law to advise clients and act on their behalf. Solicitors typically need good analytic skills, the ability to negotiate and excellent verbal and writing skills.
Tasks and duties
- Recommending legal courses of action and executing them on behalf of the client.
- Investigating and researching claims.
- Arranging and preparing witnesses and giving notice of court activity.
- Preparing contracts.
- Analysing documents, such as property deeds.
- Preparing and executing wills.
- Attending mediation with clients and negotiating settlements.
How to become a Solicitor
To become a Solicitor you will need to follow a formal process that begins with getting a law degree. The next steps include finding a job in the profession, completing additional study and being ‘admitted’ to the profession through the New Zealand Law Society.
Complete a four-year Bachelor of Law degree.
Secure a law clerk or junior lawyer role in a private legal firm or a legal department in government or industry.
Study the Professional Legal Studies Course (Profs) at either the Institute of Professional Legal Studies or College of Law.
Obtain a certificate of completion from the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE) and a certificate of character from the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS).
Be admitted to the roll of barristers and solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand, sometimes referred to as admission to the bar.
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