Title | Author | Director | Genre | Year | Useful-ness | Themes | Summary | References | Publisher | Original Year |
| Coal Flat | Pearson, Bill | | Novel | 1963 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Law and religion | Court procedure | Cause celebre trials | Conducting own defence | Law as entertainment/ drama | Perceptions of judges | Role of the media | Youth and law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Natural law | Alienation from the legal system- working class | Use of law to discover truth | Importance of advocacy | ethics | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Witnesses | Importance of jury | Adversarial nature of the legal system | | To do with a trial on the West Coast - A man has been accused of sexually abusing a student - He is a teacher - He is innocent and is found not guilty.
Lawyer's obligation to accept client. Examination in chief. Cross examination. Innocent man "gets off". | pp 323-326, 328-344, 346-353, 397-401, 409-410 | Paul's Book Arcade, Auckland | |
| Daughters of Heaven | Forster, Michelanne | | Play | 1992 | 1 | Role of the media | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Court procedure | Perceptions of lawyers | Perceptions of judges | ethics | Importance of advocacy | Law as a game | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Natural law | Use of law to discover truth | Witnesses | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Necessity of confessions | Cause celebre trials | | About the infamous trial of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme, who murdered Juliet's mother in 1954. Scene 12= cross examination of Juliet's mother by the Crown Prosecutor. Cross examination of expert witnesses.
Role of media in swaying jury. "Objectivity of British Justice". Courtroom as a dramatic structure setting the context for each flashback scene. Insanity defence. Law and morlaity "I know we've broken the law, but morally we are without fault". Rule of law- all are equal under the law. Judge's prejudiced against homosexuality. Criminal standard of proof- beyond reasonable doubt. Immutability of the law "But the law is the law. Like God is God. You can't remake the universe to suit yourself. The universe is, and you fit into it". | pp 7, 10-11, 17-19, 27, 30, 34, 39, 49-50, 53-5, 60, 63, 65, 67, 70-80 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Love and War | Sandys, Elspeth | | Novel | 1992 | 3 | ethics | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of advocacy | Appearance of courtroom | Land issues | Role of the media | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | | Court case about Maori land issues. | pp 118, 120-127 | Vintage New Zealand, Auckland | |
| Mauri | Mira, Merata | Mira, Merata | Feature Film | 1988 | 4 | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | ethnocentrism | Politics and law | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Land issues | Elitism of the law | | Set in a small Maori village. About the dislocation of many Maori from their heritage. At 100 mins there is a scene where a Crown Minister meets with the Maori leaders to discuss the use of Maori land for a public institution. One of the main characters gets in trouble with the law.
Power to take land under the Public Works Act. Token nature of government consultation with Maori. | 100, 132 mins | Awatea Films | |
| Miserables, The | Wilkins, Damien | | Novel | 1993 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Law school | Adversarial nature of the legal system | The way lawyers view the law | Law students | Elitism of the law | Law school | Role of the media | ethics | Legal jargon | Narrator, Healey, looking back on his friendship with lawyer. They attended first year law classes together but Healey did not continue with law. Perceptive critique of legal education including the Socratic teaching method cf Duncan Kennedy's work on 'Law School as training for hierarchy'.
Description of lawyer's life eg divided into 6 minute units, unforgiving workload. | pp 101-114, 121, 151-153 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| O.E. | Ovenden, Keith | | Novel | 1986 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Stereotypical tasks of a lawyer | Importance of advocacy | Corruption in the legal system | ethics | | Worker in the public service - crime/mystery story - Example of a main character in a story who is a lawyer.
Will as an example of everyday contact with lawyer. Importance of client-lawyer confidentiality. Dodgy lawyers. Perceptions of lawyer as intellectual and sympathetic. | pp 52-56, 59, 86-89, 207-211, 214, 223, 238-239 | Benton Ross Publishers, Auckland | |
| On River Road | Else, Chris | | Novel | 2004 | 2 | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Law in literature within law in literature | Perceptions of lawyers | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Elitism of the law | Distrust of the legal system | Court procedure | ethics | Importance of advocacy | Witnesses | Use of law to discover truth | | Group of friends. Daughter of one of the couples is killed in a car accident. One of the main characters, Larry, is a criminal lawyer. Successfully argues provocation for his client who is then charged with manslaughter. Discusses legal ethics.
"There's no truth in a court of law. There's only evidence. And evidence is a story told by a witness". Literary obsession with criminal law. "The Law is literature". Lawyer manipulating a statute (eg. s169 of the Crimes Act, provocation). Importance of client confidentiality. | pp 22-23, 31, 58, 103, 109-110, 138, 145, 243, 254-255, 272-275, 318 | Random House, Auckland | |
| Outrageous Fortune (Series 1) | Lang, Rachel with Griffin, James | | Episode from TV series | 2005 | 1 | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of advocacy | The way lawyers view the law | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Public vs private life of lawyers | Distrust of the legal system | Corruption in the legal system | Coercive power of the law | Elitism of the law | Law as route to power | ethics | Arrest procedure | Importance of due process | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Parole | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Criminal stigma | Law as a game | Role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Law students | Youth and law | Absence of law | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Vigilantism as justice | Man alone on the run from the law | | | Episode 1: 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 19, 28, 29, 30, 40, 41 mins. Episode 2: 2, 15, 20, 30 mins. Episode 3: 3, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 28, 31, 38, 39 mins Episode 7: 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22, 28, 36, 37 mins Episode 12: 1, 10, 16, 23, 26, 34, 37 mins not exhaustive | South Pacific Pictures | |
| "Patrick and the Killer" in Fiona Kidman (ed) The Best New Zealand Fiction (Vol. 3) | Marshall, Owen | | Short Story | 2006 | 4 | Perceptions of lawyers | Role of the media | Corruption in the legal system | Sentencing issues | ethics | | Main character Patrick talks down a murderer and becomes a hero. Reference to the high profile trial of the murderer.
Unethical defence lawyers. The power of the media in publicising the law. | pp 119-121 | Random House, Auckland | |
| Street Legal | McGee, Greg | Bailey, Chris | TV mini-series | | 1 | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Perceptions of lawyers | Role of police in the criminal justice system | Role of the media | Court procedure | Law and religion | Importance of jury | ethics | Corruption in the legal system | Parental pressure to go into law | Youth and law | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Man alone on the run from the law | Vigilantism as justice | Witnesses | Manipulation of court system and jury | Common man facing the law | Clients | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Criminal stigma | Law students | Elitism of the law | Sentencing issues | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Appearance of courtroom | Arrest procedure | Importance of due process | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Necessity of confessions | Public vs private life of lawyers | Importance of lawyers in times of grief | Perceptions of judges | Frustration with the legal system | Distrust of the legal system | Coercive power of the law | Legal ramifications of divorce | The way lawyers view the law | Importance of advocacy | Legal jargon | Eccentric lawyer stereotype | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Racism of the law | Access to justice | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Feminism vs Patriarchal system | Violence against women | | "Street Legal" is New Zealand's most popular legal drama, running for four seasons. The television series concentrates upon the career of David Silesi, a Samoan lawyer in Auckland. Silesi is always involved in interesting and bizarre cases, acting for underdog clients. Taking on these cases often involves Selesi in romances, shoot-outs, car chases and punch-ups. A large segment of the show is set in Silesi's chambers, providing the viewing public with one perspective of a lawyer's working day. While Silesi's office is no ordinary one, it is a more accurate reflection of the reality for most lawyers than trial scenes.
Mentoring of junior solicitors. Drug law. The role of the Law Society. Law and religion for eg. withholding of medical treatment on religious grounds. Client confidentiality. Law practice politics and judicial corruption. | 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 mins 2 episode | Screenworks | |
| Temptations of Frederick Weld, The | Wall, Michael | | Novel | 2003 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Public/ admin law | Importance of advocacy | Legal history | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Corruption in the legal system | Politics and law | ethics | International law | Historical novel about nineteenth century politician Frederick Weld - detective story - references to leading politicians of 1850s.
UK training of NZ lawyers- a good person being above the law as a profession- Auckland as the home of dodgy lawyers- lawyers in Parliament- lawyers and murder mysteries cf Grimshaw. | pp 1011, 15-16, 23-27, 64-68, 76-79, 238-242, 330, 334-335 | Random House, Auckland | |
| That Man Harlington | Evans, Claude | | Play | 1952 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Distrust of the legal system | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Perceptions of law firms | Stereotypical tasks of a lawyer | ethics | Clients | A light-hearted comedy revolving around a lawyer's office. About a lawyer, Harlington, who misappropriates money from his client's trust accounts. When his accountant finds out Harlington tricks the accountant and gets off scot free. Portrays societal view of lawyers as unethical and dishonest cf. Renshaw Edwards. Entire play set in law office.
Legal secretaries as romantic love interests. The patriarchial nature of law offices. Alcoholic lawyer stereotype. Corrupt lawyers ripping off clients money and getting guilty clients aquitted. Manipulation of the legal system for personal gain. Law as a vehicle for romance. | pp 9-88 | Pegasus Press, Christchurch | |
| Tooth and Claw | McGee, Greg | | Play | 1984 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Cliche Cliche relationship between legal secretary and lawyer | ethics | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Elitism of the law | Perceptions of judges | Law school | Law in literature within law in literature | Legal jargon | Absence of law | Natural law | Corruption in the legal system | Eccentric lawyer stereotype | Public vs private life of lawyers | The way lawyers view the law | Perceptions of law firms | Clients | Law as a game | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Racism of the law | Women in law firms/ legal profession | | About a successful lawyer, Oliver, who is struggling with the relationship between law and morality/ legal and social ethics. Having extra-marital affair with his secretary. Misappropriating clients funds cf. "That Man Harlington". In the end Oliver does the right thing.
"Is this your pound of flesh"- allusion to "Merchant of Venice". Alcoholic lawyer stereotype. Legal secretary as romantic interest. Lawyer without morals. The importance of becoming a partner. Law as an elite secret society. Reluctance of old lawyers to embrace new ways. Futility of legal aid cases. Concept of the reasonable person. Judge as moral vacuum. Philosophy of legal ethics compare with practical reality. Unrealistic law school perceptions of being a lawyer (6 minute units). Abuse of lawyer- client fiduciary relationship. Law society as ethical arbiter in NZ legal system. | pp 7-94 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Ugly, The | Reynolds, Scott | Reynolds, Scott | Feature Film | 1997 | 5 | Role of the media | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Court procedure | ethics | Sentencing issues | | Karen a psychologist is trying to prove that murderer Simon is cured. Simon was unfit to stand trial and was admitted to an asylum. He ends up killing two of his caregivers in the asylum and tries to kill Karen. | 36, 39 mins | Essential Films | |
| Waitmate Conspiracy, The | Lewis, Stefen | Lewis, Stefen | Feature Film | 2006 | 1 | Injustice | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Importance of advocacy | Corruption in the legal system | Perceptions of judges | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Perceptions of lawyers | Land issues | Treaty criticism/ issues | Distrust of the legal system | Law students | Court procedure | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | ethnocentrism | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Legal history | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Use of trial as dramatic construct | ethics | | Features the Kepa family's ongoing legal battle to regain their tribal land which was unlawfully stolen in 1866. Zena, a law graduate takes on the task to represent the Kepa family. They claim that the land was seized in an act of aggression. Important court scenes showing the legal battle against the McKendrie family who occupies the land. In the first court scene Zena tries to argue using hearsay evidence which ultimately fails. When appealing they argue on historical documented evidence which they had manufactured and forged. The Kepa family win the legal battle. The title of ownership is transferred immediately. One of only two representations of Maori lawyers in NZ feature film. Numerous discussions about the admissibility of evidence. Focuses on legal ethics.
Young Maori lawyer fighting for her people. Stereotypical stern older white male judge. Controversial nature of Maori land claims cf "Crooked Earth". Rookie lawyer triumphs over experienced lawyer cf Grisham, misrepresentation of land claim settlement process. Reference to specific act Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975. Difficulty in cross examining history in a court cf Waitangi Tribunal. Rejection of Maori oral history as evidence. Planting of evidence to win case cf "Beyond Reasonable Doubt". | 3, 5, 12, 24, 25, 27, 31, 37, 39, 40, 48, 54, 60, 78, 79, 83, 85 mins | Dark Horse and Hazard Press | |