Each branch has a president and a council, which represent their members’ interests on a regional and national level.

The Act continues the Law Society and sets out its regulatory and representative functions and powers.

The statutory role of districts ceased on 31 January 2009 and, with the exception of Auckland, their assets and liabilities were transferred to the Law Society.

The Board acts as the executive body, managing the affairs of the Law Society and exercising most of the functions and powers of the Council under delegation.

Full membership of the Law Society is voluntary, and is open to any lawyer with a current practising certificate.

Membership includes access to the full range of the Law Society's representative services and the opportunity to have a say in the way the profession is regulated.

It also maintains open communication with the government on administration of justice and rule of law issues.