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About UsPrimary Functions, Activities and Past AchievementsThe objectives of the Association are set out in the Rules of the Criminal Bar Association of New Zealand Inc which are posted on this website. The Association was incorporated on the 20th September 1984. The rules require that the Association be involved in matters of discipline and the setting of standards for counsel at the criminal bar. Therefore high standards of ethics and professionalism are demanded of members of the Association both in their performance at the bar and in the management of the Association. Since its incorporation, the Association has been led by some of the most influential members of the criminal bar. These leaders have conferred on the Association a reputation for integrity of which the Association has reason to be proud. As a consequence the Association has gone from strength to strength. The standing of the Association in New Zealand society is now established as demonstrated by the opinion of the Association being regularly sought by Government, the Courts and the Public alike on a wide range of matters affecting criminal law. From the outset the Association has endeavoured to supply comity amongst criminal lawyers and to provide a common front in dealing with important criminal issues of public interest. Under its Rules the Association has operated on a committee basis organising regular committee meetings and special meetings, symposia and public gatherings on important topics of criminal law. The Association has spoken and speaks regularly through its members and particularly through the President to the media on criminal law reform issues Open public discussion on matters of criminal law is a foundation principle of democracy which the Association at all times endeavours to uphold. Over the years the Association has, through various media and at meetings, reminded the public that while there is an argument in favour of longer sentences as a reaction to horrific crimes, rehabilitation aspects should be kept to the forefront of the principles of sentencing. In this respect the Association adopts a reasoned approach to the process of sentencing thereby providing to the public a valuable resource to assist in the forming of opinions. In summary the Association has given the criminal bar a public profile that was hardly existent in early 1980s except for a few outspoken barristers who took it upon themselves to speak to the media. The Association is now widely recognised as a responsible organisation possessing within its ranks a fund of experience and knowledge on which the public may draw. Criminal barristers are only as good as the experience, skill and knowledge they possess. The exchange of knowledge with other jurisdictions is also in the public interest. The Association has through its own initiatives and with the assistance of the Australian Criminal Bar Association organised congresses on criminal law which have had a high profile with the media. Return to About UsBackAbout CBA || Find a Criminal Lawyer || Frequently Asked Questions
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