Iain Duffy, who was recently honoured with an honorary membership of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives, was instrumental in the formation of the NZILE in the early 1970s.
He was a foundation member, signing the application for the formation and registration of the institute with the rest of
the group.
A member of the governing council from 1975, he was elected national president in 1980, serving for three years, and then as vice-president. During this period, he successfully negotiated with the-then Minister of Justice for legal executives to be able to be appointed Justices of the Peace (this had not previously been allowed because it was thought conflict of interest might arise from the dual roles).
Gordon Whiting, who formerly practised law in Whangarei and is now an Environment Court judge, and Mr Duffy prepared submissions to support recommendations that statutory recognition be given to the term legal executive and other matters which were subsequently included in a rewritten Legal Practitioners Act. They both presented their submissions in person to Parliament's statutes revisions committee.
"Duffy" as he is universally known remained a council member until the late 1980s.
