The Committee was formed to encourage its members to consider and comment on public issues for the public benefit, particularly public issues with a legal element. The Committee’s aim is to assist the public in understanding legal points that may arise in matters under discussion in the public domain. When the Committee releases a paper its views are its own. It cannot and does not necessarily represent the views of all lawyers nor has the subject under discussion necessarily been considered by the Council of the Auckland District Law Society. Discussions covered a wide range of issues of interest to members of the committee with papers published or in progress that were considered of particular relevance and interest.

The first paper published for the year was on judicial conduct. The response to any instances of serious misconduct by judges is well-covered by new statutory provisions, and by long-standing procedures. However, there remains little by way of effective response to lesser misbehaviour, such as rudeness. This paper considered this issue.

The second paper was on reverse mortgages and home equity conversion schemes. This discussed the operation of these schemes, and the risks to which participants are exposed.

Papers are still in the course of preparation, with the committee presently considering issues relating to fisheries management, the changing legal profession, and broader constitutional matters.