%20(1).webp){kind=spacer}
Licensed Immigration Advisers (LIAs) play a crucial role in guiding clients through New Zealand’s complex immigration system. However, the legal and regulatory landscape presents challenges that even the most experienced advisers may face. McVeagh Fleming provides tailored legal support to help LIAs navigate these complexities, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and protection from legal risks. Understanding potential risks, knowing when to seek support, and having the right legal partners can make all the difference in a successful practice.
If you are a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), having the right support is essential. McVeagh Fleming offers tailored services to help you stay compliant, protect your practice, and navigate legal complexities with confidence. Here’s how we can assist you:
Setting up and managing an immigration advisory business comes with legal responsibilities. We help LIAs establish strong business foundations by advising on contracts, engagement agreements, and business structures. Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 reduces the risk of disputes and protects both advisers and their clients. Additionally, our structured frameworks help LIAs operate more efficiently, allowing them to focus on delivering high-quality immigration advice rather than being bogged down by administrative concerns.
Immigration cases can be intricate, and some applications require an advanced legal perspective. Whether you are dealing with an unusually difficult case, need assistance with legal arguments, or simply require extra capacity to manage client demands, our experienced team is here to provide support when you need it most. We ensure that all assistance provided aligns with the obligations set out in the Licensed Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct 2014. Additionally, we can provide language and cultural support, with our staff collectively speaking 26 different languages. This ensures that communication barriers are minimized and that we can provide additional assistance for applicants from diverse backgrounds, providing your clients with the best possible service.
LIAs can represent clients in appeals to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT) but cannot file judicial review applications in the High Court. While LIAs can handle appeals, navigating the tribunal process effectively often requires legal expertise, particularly in complex or high-stakes cases. Our team has extensive experience in IPT appeals and can provide strategic legal assistance to strengthen arguments and improve the chances of success.
If a matter escalates beyond the IPT, judicial review in the High Court may be necessary. As lawyers, we can represent clients in these proceedings, ensuring that unlawful or unreasonable decisions are properly challenged. As part of a full-service law firm, we also have access to specialists in other areas of law, allowing us to address legal issues that may intersect with immigration matters, such as employment, business, or family law. Our expertise in statutory interpretation further strengthens our ability to build robust legal arguments in complex cases.
Staying compliant with the Licensed Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct 2014 is critical. We provide legal training and compliance guidance to help you navigate ethical obligations, risk management, and best practices. Our tailored CPD sessions can also contribute to your professional development requirements, keeping you up to date with legal changes affecting the immigration industry.
Facing a complaint before the Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal (IACDT) can be stressful and have serious consequences for your practice. We provide expert legal representation, helping LIAs respond effectively to complaints and defend their professional standing. With a thorough understanding of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, we assist in mitigating risks and ensuring fair procedural outcomes. As experts in immigration law, we have a deep knowledge of the legal framework governing LIAs and can provide highly effective advocacy tailored to each situation. Additionally, as a full-service law firm, we have access to other legal experts who can provide insight and support in related areas of law if required, ensuring we seek the best possible outcome for our clients.
With a deep understanding of immigration law and regulatory requirements, McVeagh Fleming is well-positioned to support LIAs at every stage of their practice. Our team provides practical, solutions-focused advice, helping you manage risks, navigate legal complexities, and continue delivering outstanding service to your clients.
If you need legal support in any of these areas, reach out to McVeagh Fleming today. We are here to assist you in building a strong and compliant practice, giving you peace of mind to focus on what you do best—helping migrants achieve their goals in New Zealand.
DDI: 09 306 6726
Email: ahunt@mcveaghfleming.co.nz
DDI: 09 306 6745
Email: candrews@mcveaghfleming.co.nz
Read more about our Licenced Immigration Advisor Support services
EVENT INVITATION:
© McVeagh Fleming 2025
This article is published for general information purposes only. Legal content in this article is necessarily of a general nature and should not be relied upon as legal advice. If you require specific legal advice in respect of any legal issue, you should always engage a lawyer to provide that advice.
