Frazer Barton is to resume his position as president of the New Zealand Law Society following a seven-month leave of absence.
Barton temporarily stepped aside in July 2024 following complaints regarding his counsel to Presbyterian Support Otago, has been fully cleared to return to his leadership role.
An independent standards committee investigated the complaints and determined that no further action was warranted, finding no violations of professional rules or evidence of unsatisfactory conduct.
Law Society Vice President David Campbell expressed the board’s full support for Barton’s return. “On behalf of the Law Society board, I’d like to express our confidence in Mr Barton. He brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, integrity and community service to his position. We back him to continue to bring that valuable expertise to the role of Law Society president,” Campbell stated.
The reinstatement takes effect this week.
