Concern at how long it's taken to introduce new professional conduct rules for lawyers

Enforced by the Law Society, the rules clarify the standards of behaviour expected of lawyers around clients and colleagues.

There are clear definitions around bullying and harassment, and a lowering of the threshold to make formal complaints about another lawyer.

Aotearoa Legal Workers Association director Harrison Cunningham says there shouldn't have been three years between a survey, and introduction of the rules.

But he says what they'd more like to see is the Law Society investigate and make findings faster, about lawyers accused of unacceptable behaviour.