Question 1

I want to be admitted to practise in New Zealand, but I am unsure where to start. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

The first step towards admission in New Zealand is to submit an Application for Assessment of your Qualifications. This process is overseen by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE), the statutory body responsible for evaluating overseas legal qualifications. You can find detailed information and access the necessary forms on their official website:

Question 2

Is there a form to use for my Application?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All applicants must complete the application form provided in Schedule 1 of the New Zealand Council of Legal Education’s (NZCLE) Assessment of Overseas Law Qualifications Information Brochure.The Council states, “You may also attach a covering letter if you wish.”NZLPE PREP strongly recommends including a covering letter to provide context and strengthen your application.

You can download the brochure and access the application form here:

Question 3

Does NZLPE PREP provide assistance with my application?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There are several ways we can help you ensure your application is complete and professionally prepared.

Furthermore, if you wish to maximise your chances of receiving a favourable outcome, it is important to go beyond simply submitting the required documents. For most candidates, the best expected result is an assessment requiring them to sit the six parts of the Legal Practice Examination (LPE).

Question 4

How long does the Council take to process my application?

Accepted Answer

According to Section 10 of the Assessment of Overseas Law Qualifications Information Brochure, the processing time is a minimum of 16 weeks (approximately four months) for candidates who are not already admitted in another jurisdiction. And yes, it genuinely does take that long.

If you are already admitted in another country, the process may take slightly longer due to an additional step involving the New Zealand Law Society.

Question 5

What do you mean by a "good" result?

Accepted Answer

The Council has the authority to require candidates to complete additional university study if their degree is found not to be equivalent to a New Zealand LLB. There are two aspects of equivalency: subject equivalence and degree equivalence. You must demonstrate both in order to receive an assessment outcome that does not involve returning to university.

NZLPE PREP can assist you in achieving the best possible result, based on your qualifications and personal circumstances.

Question 6

What are the possible assessment results?

Accepted Answer

In addition to demonstrating that your degree is equivalent to a New Zealand LLB, there are several other requirements you must meet. You must provide evidence that you:

Completed a course in Legal Ethics;
Have practical legal experience or completed a professional legal training course (often referred to as a “Profs” course);
Are fluent in English.

If you are admitted to practise in another country, you must also demonstrate that admission and confirm that you remain in good standing with the relevant regulatory body.

If you are relying on post-admission legal experience to support your application—which may strengthen your case for equivalency and/or satisfy the practical experience requirement—you must submit clear evidence of that experience. While the Council does not typically consider pre-admission work experience, it is still worthwhile to include a description in your application, as it may enhance your overall profile as a candidate.

Question 7

Can I be exempted from sitting the six parts of the LPE?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, no. Nearly all candidates are required to sit the full Legal Practice Examination (LPE). In our experience, exemptions are extremely rare.
The few candidates who have received exemptions typically fall into one of the following categories:
Those who have taught or tutored a core legal subject based on New Zealand law at a recognised New Zealand university; or
Those who hold a New Zealand LLB that is considered "stale" but can demonstrate recent, relevant legal experience or ongoing professional learning in the subject area.
As noted in Section 6 of the Assessment of Overseas Law Qualifications Information Brochure:
“Exemptions from parts of the NZLP Examination are rare. However, exemptions are sometimes granted where an applicant has been teaching or tutoring for a period of time in one of the core law subjects at a New Zealand University, or where an applicant has attained extensive work experience in a core law area in New Zealand.”

Question 8

Can I be exempted from taking the Professional Legal Studies Course (PLSC)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is possible to be exempted if you can demonstrate that you have acquired practical legal experience by other means.

If you are already admitted to practise and have been actively working in the legal profession, that is generally considered sufficient. Additionally, if you have completed a professional legal training course in your home jurisdiction—such as the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in the United Kingdom—that will typically meet the requirement.

Question 9

Can I be exempted from taking a Legal Ethics course?

Accepted Answer

Yes, an exemption may be granted if you can demonstrate that you have already satisfied the requirement through other means.

If you are admitted to practise and have relevant experience, or if you completed a standalone Legal Ethics course alongside your degree, you may qualify for an exemption. Alternatively, if you can provide evidence of comparable training, that may also be considered.

However, having completed an LLB that merely included aspects of ethics as part of broader subjects is not sufficient on its own.

"It is not the mountain that we conquer, but ourselves."

- Sir Edmund Hillary

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Frequently asked questions