Paul Maskell Lawyer Barrister & Notary Public

I attended the University of Auckland gaining a Bachelor of Laws degree. I was admitted to the Bar in 1979. Soon after being admitted, I joined Inder Lynch Lawyers of Papakura and became a Partner in 1983. I was appointed as Managing Partner of the firm in 2001. I continued in that role until my retirement from the Partnership (after 41 years) on 29 February 2024.

During that time, I had experience in a wide range of legal practice. In more recent years, I have focussed on Family and Elder Law, including as Court appointed Counsel in a number of proceedings.

I have been actively involved with the Family Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society, having been on the Section Executive for seven years and serving as the Chairperson of the Section for three of those years. During my time as Chairperson, I was also a member of the Council of the New Zealand Law Society.

In 2011 I was appointed by the Governor General, on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice, as a member of the Legal Aid Tribunal created under the Legal Aid Act 2011. This part-time judicial position was for a term of three years and I concluded this role in 2015.

In August 2004, I was appointed a life member of Manurewa Citizens Advice Bureau, having participated continuously since 1980. I have regularly conducted Saturday morning clinics for them for more than 40 years.

I have now commenced sole practice as a Barrister specialising in Court appointments as Lawyer for the Child, Lawyer for the Subject Person, Lawyer to Assist the Court and as a panel member of the New Zealand Central Authority for Hague Convention cases.

“A notary public (sometimes called a notary or a public notary) in New Zealand is a lawyer authorised by the Archbishop of Canterbury in England to officially witness signatures on legal documents, collect sworn statements, administer oaths and certify the authenticity of legal documents for use overseas.”

I was appointed as a notary public by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1994. I am a member of the New Zealand College of Notaries (FANZCN) and have been since 2008.

I have had a great deal of experience dealing with documents from a significant number of countries. What is noticeable is that every country has their own specific documents. Even with a particular country their requirements can vary depending upon the region or locality the documents have come from. I do not prepare documents for notarisation – you should get the documents from the country concerned.

For notarisation appointments, the applicant for notarisation must bring:

• the original documents to be notarised;
• a current and valid passport to prove identity
• a witness or witnesses (with their current and valid passports) if the document requires a witness or witnesses

I conduct regular Notary Clinics at Manukau City, by appointment only.

Please phone on 020-475-1960 or email on office@paulmaskell.co.nz