Law in Distress

Work-related distress in the New Zealand legal profession:

how lawyers and judges are impacted by indirect trauma

The aim of our research is to gain an in-depth understanding of work-related distress in the New Zealand legal profession and how lawyers and judges are impacted by indirect trauma.

Why is this research important?

International research suggests that lawyers and judges suffer from higher levels of work-related distress than other professionals (e.g. social workers and psychologists).

As a profession we work hard to advocate for our clients and to play our part in the administration of justice in New Zealand, sometimes at a detriment to our own health and wellbeing. By better understanding how legal professionals are impacted by their work, we can consider how best to mitigate this and develop tools to ensure safer practice.

How can you participate?

Supporters

We would like to acknowledge:

New Zealand Law Foundation

The New Zealand Law Foundation for their significant funding and support that has enabled us to undertake this research.

AUT

AUT for their support, hosting the lead researcher and the academic time of the research team.

University of Otago

University of Otago for their support and hosting the lead researcher during 2021.