Generative AI guidance for lawyers

New Zealand Law Society

last revised 2026-02-24last verified 2026-09-032 versionscountry page →

GuidanceIn forceVerification dutyConfidentialityDisclosureCompetence

map categories:Bar guidance on generative AI Duty to verify AI output Client data in AI tools Technological competence Client consent and transparency Billing for AI work Vendor due diligence

Guidance from the New Zealand Law Society, updated 24 February 2026, on how the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act rules apply to generative AI. Lawyers must verify all output, protect privacy and privilege when entering information, disclose AI use to clients where appropriate, and review whether fees remain reasonable when AI reduces the time spent.

Applies to: lawyers, firms
Effective: 01 Jan 2024
Current version: February 2026 update · 24 Feb 2026
Last verified: 03 Sept 2026
Official text: www.lawsociety.org.nz/professional-practice/rules-and-maintaining-prof…

What the document requires

All AI-generated content must be verified before reliance.
Privacy and legal privilege must be protected in any data entered into tools.
Clients should be told about AI use where appropriate to the engagement.
Fees should be reviewed where AI materially reduces time spent.

Version history

Version	Date	What changed	Source
February 2026 updatecurrent	2026-02-24	Updated guidance on verification, privacy and privilege, client communication and fee review; first published in 2024.	official
Original (2024)	2024-01-01	First version recorded.	official

Related court incidents on the record

Jones v Family Court at Whangārei [2026] NZSC 12026-02-11 Dismissal

Sources

New Zealand Law Society — generative AI guidance for lawyers

Cite this record

SafeLegalAI Legal AI Regulation Tracker, "Generative AI guidance for lawyers" (New Zealand Law Society, February 2026 update, 2026-02-24), safelegalai.com/regulation/nz/nzls-generative-ai-guidance-lawyers (accessed 2026-09-04). Data: CC BY 4.0.