Staff Reporter
Wellington, May 13, 2020
ANZ Bank has announced an increase in the proportion of its donation over the next few months to the Lawyers and Conveyancers Special Fund.
The Bank will provide 35% of the interest it earns on licensed conveyancers’ nominated trust accounts held by ANZ to Community Law, up from 20%, according to about $270,000 based on current interest rates and economic activity.
ANZ donated more than $920,000 between March 2019 and February 2020 to Community Law.
About the Fund
The Fund, vested in the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers, collects interest from the nominated trust accounts of Solicitors and Licenced Conveyancers.
The Fund is governed by the Law Practitioners Act 1982 and helps run 24 Community Law Centres, which provide service in about 140 locations throughout New Zealand.
The Community Law Centres can be accessed by all residents in the country and is rendered free.
Community Law Chief Executive Sue Moroney said that the increase will help Community Law to sustain free legal support to communities as they battle the impact of Covid-19.
”While it is likely that the overall value of the Special Fund donation from five banks will suffer because of economic conditions, ANZ’s offer to lift the proportion it donates to fund our services will help to mitigate this,” she said.
Surging demand
Ms Moroney said that Community Law has already seen a surge of people needing employment law support about their jobs, even though they have only been able to offer services remotely since Alert Level 4 came into force.
”We expect to see this increase substantially when Community Law Centres open for face-to-face services again. Sadly, even more people will be eligible for our free legal services because they have lost their income. They are likely to need help with employment law and then because of their new financial position they may have landlord problems, WINZ issues and debt problems they need legal support with too,” she said.
Ms Moroney said that Community Law needs increased funding to support those affected by the epidemic response and ANZ’s increased support will help us respond to community needs.
Despite the challenges, Community Law has continued to provide access to justice while the country battles Covid-19, she said.
“I am proud that 24 Community Law Centres made a quick pivot to remote services, while keeping up to speed with rapidly-changing laws and taking on complex cases. Supporting people to keep their jobs, their homes, their families and their livelihoods is our priority right now,” she said.
ANZ initiative
ANZ New Zealand Chief Executive Antonia Watson said that many New Zealanders were experiencing hardship and changes to their circumstances as a result of Covid-19.
“ANZ has supported the important work of Community Law for many years. As the effects of Covid-19 reach into the lives of so many people, it is more important than ever for them to have access to legal support and services,” she said.
About Community Law Centres
Twenty-four Community Law Centres work out of over 140 locations across New Zealand to provide free legal help and advice to those who are unable to pay for a private lawyer or who do not have access to legal aid. This advice covers all aspects of New Zealand’s legal system, including family law, employment issues, housing problems, consumer advice and criminal law.
As well as around 170 staff, Community Law’s services are boosted by over 1200 volunteer lawyers who run clinics and deliver free advice and assistance.
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