As December rolls around, many clients start to wonder: Will my lawyer disappear for weeks during the festive season? It’s a fair question—legal matters don’t pause just because the calendar says “holiday.”

The Myth of the Month-Long Break

There’s a common perception that lawyers shut their doors from mid-December until late January. While it’s true that the legal industry slows down over Christmas, the idea of a full month off is more myth than reality.

What Actually Happens

• Court Closures: Most courts operate on reduced schedules from late December to early January. This means hearings and filings may be delayed.
• Office Hours: Many law firms close for a week over Christmas and New Year, but rarely for an entire month. Staff often rotate holidays to ensure someone is available.
• Urgent Matters: Lawyers remain on call for critical issues—think bail applications, urgent family matter, or time-sensitive commercial deals.

Why It Feels Like a Long Break

The slowdown is partly cultural. Businesses often defer decisions until the new year, and clients may avoid starting new legal processes during the festive season. Combined with public holidays, this creates the impression of a long hiatus.

What You Can Do

• Plan Ahead: If you need legal work done before January, start early.
• Ask About Availability: Most firms will tell you upfront who’s covering during the break.
• Use Technology: Many lawyers now offer virtual consultations, even during holiday periods.

Bottom Line

Your lawyer probably isn’t sipping cocktails on a beach for a month straight. They may take a well-earned break, but most firms ensure continuity for urgent matters. So, while the pace slows, the profession doesn’t completely stop.

Checketts McKay Law closes for the Christmas period at 5pm on 23 December 2025 and re-opens on 12 January 2026. Staff are available over the closedown period – please phone 03 440 00125 for assistance.

17 Dunmore Street, Wānaka.