Lawyer CV for New Zealand
For lawyer jobs in New Zealand, lead with NZ Law Society practising certificate. Employers usually expect a CV on A4 paper, most recent experience first. Length: 2–4 pages is normal. Employers there usually leave out a photo, date of birth and marital status. If you are not a citizen, your right to work or visa status is usually stated.
Build a lawyer CV for New ZealandYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Registration and licences
| Lawyers | NZ Law Society practising certificate |
|---|
Put it near the top of the CV. If you are still applying, list it with the status “In progress” and the date you applied. Confirm current requirements with the regulator before you apply.
Sections to include
| Section (in this order) | How important |
|---|---|
| Profile | Recommended |
| Bar admissions & practising certificates | Expected |
| Experience | Expected |
| Education | Expected |
| Practice areas & skills | Recommended |
Length: 2–4 pages is normal.
Personal details in New Zealand
| What it is called | Curriculum Vitae |
|---|---|
| Length | 2–4 pages is normal |
| Paper size | A4 |
| Layout | Tabular, dates in a left column |
| Order | Most recent first |
| Dates | Month and year (e.g. Mar 2023) |
| Photo | Usually left out |
| Date of birth | Usually left out |
| Nationality | Usually left out |
| Marital status | Usually left out |
| Right to work / visa status | Usually included |
| References | List two or three referees with contact details |
| Explain gaps longer than | 6 months |
Key facts
- New Zealand's Human Rights Act 1993 lists sex, marital status, religious belief, colour, race, ethnic or national origins, disability, age and family status among its prohibited grounds of discrimination. Source: legislation.govt.nz
- Under New Zealand's Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, health practitioners must be registered with their responsible authority and hold a current practising certificate. Source: legislation.govt.nz
Facts checked 2026-10-15.
Tips
- State admissions (jurisdiction, year) and practising status first.
- Describe practice areas, notable matters (anonymised) and deal values.
- Education carries weight: class of degree, honours, moots.
- Two or three referees with phone and email are expected, usually recent supervisors.
- State your visa or residency status (citizen, permanent resident, visa subclass) near the top.
- Key achievements under each role carry more weight than duty lists.
- No photo or date of birth: anti-discrimination law covers age (e.g. Australia’s Age Discrimination Act 2004, NZ’s Human Rights Act 1993).
Questions
What registration do lawyers need on a CV in New Zealand?
Lawyers applying in New Zealand should show NZ Law Society practising certificate near the top of the CV, with the registration number and status. If you are still applying, list it with the status “In progress”. Put it in its own section, above your experience. Requirements change, so confirm the current rules with the regulator before you apply.
Should a lawyer CV for New Zealand have a photo?
No. Leave the photo off a lawyer CV for New Zealand. Employers there don’t expect one and generally prefer CVs without it, and the CV Atlas readiness check flags a photo if you add one. Use the space for your experience and qualifications, and include a photo only if a job advert asks for one. No photo or date of birth: anti-discrimination law covers age (e.g. Australia’s Age Discrimination Act 2004, NZ’s Human Rights Act 1993).
How long should a lawyer CV be in New Zealand?
Aim for 2–4 pages, the norm in New Zealand. Put your registration and most recent roles on the first page, keep older roles to a line or two each, and use A4 paper. Employers in this field usually check your registration first. CV Atlas warns you when the CV runs longer than usual.
What sections does a lawyer CV for New Zealand need?
A lawyer CV for New Zealand needs your contact details, experience, education and bar admissions and practising certificates, plus two or three referees with contact details. In the header, include your visa or right-to-work status. Leave out the photo, date of birth and nationality. Put the most recent role first and describe each post with the setting, scope and results. CV Atlas applies this structure when you choose the job and the country, and its readiness check lists anything missing.
Related guides
General guides: CVs for New Zealand and Law & legal services CVs in any country.
Other jobs in New Zealand: Doctor, Nurse, Dentist, Pharmacist, Allied health, Teacher, Engineer, Accountant, Electrician and trades, Care worker, Childcare worker, Social worker, Software engineer.
Lawyer CVs for other countries: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Singapore, Japan.
Start your lawyer CVYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Guidance checked October 2026; facts checked 2026-10-15. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.