A visit by the Chief Justice

Access to justice is a priority at all levels

By ERIN EBBORN
Principal Lawyer/Rōia Aporei

Whether you’re a graduate at the coalface or leading the highest court in the land, there’s one thing you have in common: a commitment to justice.

On a recent visit to Portia’s Christchurch office, the Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann showed an appreciation of the work Portia staff have done to promote access to justice in New Zealand, particularly in the field of family law.

Access to justice in New Zealand is a basic human right enshrined in both national and international law. The work to improve it primarily involves identifying and removing barriers. Some barriers – such as the cost of legal advice – are obvious, others are harder to see.

Digital poverty, age, fear, homelessness, mental illness, addiction, bureaucracy, ethnicity and inherent social bias are all things that prevent segments of society from getting a fair go.

There is a choice that every lawyer and law firm can make when it comes to how we deal with our clients: we can deliver legal services dispassionately, or; we can treat them holistically to help resolve their legal problem in the context of what else is going on in their life.
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The former is perfectly acceptable but the latter can be achieved through planning and good networking.

Erin Ebborn and the Rt. Hon. Dame Helen Winkelmann during a visit to the Christchurch office.

Dame Helen was able to discuss the experience of working at Portia with the young litigation team in a relaxed atmosphere before a group photo and private chat with CEO Jarrod Coburn and myself.

The issues we discussed concerned finding ways to best help some of Aotearoa’s most vulnerable people when it comes to the law and courts.
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It would be hard for non-lawyers to understand the mana that a visit by our Chief Justice brings to this firm. It is a recognition

recognition of the hard work our current and past staff have invested to make our vision a reality.

Accessing justice is a human right and at the heart of a healthy society.

Helping others is a reason many young people give when asked why they chose the law.  Sadly, the nature of the work can sometimes temper that passion.
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Being able to fuel that drive and idealism in a working law firm is a rare opportunity and one I’m grateful for.