Free Speech Union Council Chair Stephen Franks and Tauranga lawyer Kirsten Murfitt compare notes on being investigated by the New Zealand Law Society. Both faced complaints over letters they wrote for clients. Both say the complaints system was turned against them.

Stephen's case began with a letter sent for a client to clinics offering gender-affirming care to minors, setting out the legal risks after the Cass Review. A Standards Committee censured and fined him. The Legal Complaints Review Officer reversed that finding. Kirsten's case followed an open letter she published for her client, Lobby for Good, seeking information about a Tauranga City Council property purchase.

They cover the cost of defending a complaint, rules that treat causing distress as misconduct, and what that means for clients who need a lawyer to speak for them. Professional regulators are an election campaign issue for the Free Speech Union. This special episode looks at the public and private cost of processes that seem more interested in groupthink than in protecting consumers.

Free to Speak is the official podcast of the New Zealand Free Speech Union. Uncensored conversations on free speech, civil liberties, and the people defending them. Hosted by Dane Giraud.

Join the Free Speech Union: https://www.fsu.nz/join
Support our work: https://www.fsu.nz/donate
Newsletter: https://www.fsu.nz/subscribe
Website: https://www.fsu.nz

Got feedback or a guest suggestion? podcast@fsu.nz

Promoted by Free Speech Union, PO Box 91811, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142

Support the show

https://www.fsu.nz/
https://x.com/NZFreeSpeech
https://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/
https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz