This note is not part of the order, but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This order, which comes into force on the 28th day after the date of its notification in the Gazette, specifies countries for the purpose of paragraph (c) of the definition of overseas practitioner in section 51(1) of the Evidence Act 2006 (the Act). The term country is broadly defined in the Act to include a State, territory, province, or other part of a country.

Paragraph (c) of the definition of overseas practitioner in section 51(1) of the Act defines that term to include a person who is, under the laws of a country specified by an Order in Council made under that section, entitled to undertake work that, in New Zealand, is normally undertaken by a lawyer or a patent attorney.

By way of background, the Act entitles a client of an overseas practitioner to legal privilege in respect of certain communications between the client and the practitioner.