From the Chair

He mihi nui ki a koutou and welcome everyone to this year’s conference both those who are attending in person and the ever-growing number of attendees who are making use of the livestream option. Our theme for this conference is “celebrating 40 years of the Family Court”, acknowledging the past but anticipating the future road ahead for us as family lawyers. Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua: “I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past”. As family lawyers we are constantly challenged by the content of our work, and we have to be the pillar of strength for our clients. We have included in our programme recognition of the fact that lawyers do not operate in isolation from the pressures facing others in our communities and to provide our best representation to our clients we need to look after our own wellbeing as well. I hope that you will find the programme we have put together provides challenges to take into the future as an individual practitioner but also provides some expert teaching for your broader family law practice. Conferences are a time to take stock and refocus on best practice and have time dedicated to learning without the demands of our office. One of the highlights of the conference is the conference dinner which will take place again this year and gives us a great chance to step away from the pressures of our work life and catch up with our colleagues from around the country. I hope our beautiful city will shine over the few days of the conference and there will be time to get outside Te Papa and enjoy some of what our city has to offer. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Tēnā tatou katoa.

Chair: Annette Gray, Buchanan Gray, Wellington

Keynote & International speakers

• Edwin Freedman, Law Office of Edwin Freedman, Tel Aviv, Israel
• Judge Victoria McCloud, A Master of the Senior Courts Queen's Bench Division, London
• Her Honour Judge Jaquelyn Moran, Principal Family Court Judge, Wellington
• Dr Tom Mulholland, Auckland Hospital, Auckland

Programme outline

Download the PDF brochure for a full outline of each session

Day 1 Keynote - Opening address - Principal Family Court Judge Jackie Moran Keynote - How to live to 100 and stay out of the emergency department - Dr Tom Mulholland Kaupapa Māori approaches to child protection and family law * Breakout session 1 A - Iwi hui process B - FDR and the Law: achieving meaningful outcomes C - Sustaining peak mental performance during uncertainty Family Law Section update The complexities of "relationship" in the welfare system and the consequences for children Elevating the care and protection of tamariki: Public law advocacy * Breakout session 2 A - Our recipe for resolving relationship property disputes B - Guardianship quiz C - "It's the end of the world as we know it (and i feel fine)" - collaborative law: the future of family law? Don't you Trust me, darling? Followed by pre-dinner drinks & conference dinner

Day 2 Keynote - the experience of fairness - Judge Victoria McCloud Recent family law reform work Tatou Talanoa - let's talk: navigating the sea of cultural change Hair testing for drugs in the Family Court: what can it do and what is the question to answer? The implications of s7AA: making partnership work * Breakout session 3 A - Managing complaints B - Sword and shield: disclosure under the Trusts Act following separation C - To WON or not to WON - that is the question? Hague cases in COVID times - Edwin Freedman

* Note the most popular breakout sessions will be live streamed. 

Learning objectives

In this conference you will be:

• Updated on topical issues, legislation and case law.
• Able to apply this knowledge in your practice.

Live Web Stream

This conference is available via live web stream, direct to your computer. Click here to find out more about web streaming. * Note the most popular breakout sessions will be live streamed. 
Please note: Live Web Stream registrations close 3pm Wednesday 17 November.

Book

Please indicate your selection upon registration:

• Hard Copy - Your book will be given to you when you register on the day* - no extra charge 
• PDF - You will be emailed a PDF copy of the book 3 working days before the event - no extra charge 
• Both Hard Copy & PDF - You will be emailed a PDF copy of the book 3 working days before the event, and you can collect the hard copy book when you register on the day*  - additional $30 charge

*Live web stream attendees - if you select hard copy or both - your book will be couriered to you.

Timings

Pre-conference Mihi Whakatau & Welcome drinks - Wednesday 17 November, 5.30-7pm Te Papa
The NZLS Family Law Section is proud to sponsor this function to welcome you to Wellington for the Family Law Conference. We warmly invite all delegates to the mihi whakatau, followed by drinks and nibbles. This is a great chance to catch up with colleagues from all around the country, meet new people and get into the conference frame of mind. We look forward to seeing you there!

Conference Day 1 - Thursday 18 November 8.00am - Registration 8.45 - Sessions begin 5.30 - Sessions end 7.00pm - 12.00am - Pre-dinner drinks and conference dinner

Conference Day 2 - Friday 19 November 8.45am - Sessions begin 4.30pm - Sessions end

Conference dinner and dance

Dinner is at Te Papa so dress in your favourite costume to go back to the eighties – big hair, lycra, and shoulder pads! The evening promises disco, dancing and delight with all the originals provided by DJ Max.

Thursday 18 November, 7pm-12am Te Papa
Pre-dinner drinks start at 7pm followed by dinner at 7.30pm.

Bring a guest: If you wish to bring a guest to the dinner the cost is $160. Please register your guest on the registration form.

Free forum: Family Violence Dynamics - part 2

The Family Violence Dynamics Forum PART 2 will be held on Wednesday 17 November 10.00am – 4.30pm, at Te Papa and via live web stream. This FREE forum for family Lawyers is sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. The forum is being held on the eve of the Family Law Conference 2021, and is a separate event from the conference. It will have a practical focus to improve your knowledge and practice in both in client interviewing and in court. The forum is a must for all practitioners involved in family violence cases (or who might be in the future). Register for the forum now!

Accommodation

Wellington tends to get very busy in the latter part of the year and we recommend you book accommodation as soon as possible.  

We recommend using an online hotel discount booking website, or contact your preferred accommodation directly.  

The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel has provided a booking code for conference attendees: view info

Fee (incl GST)

Face-to-Face

Registration before 20 October 2021

• $1,225 - NZLS members and Associate members
• ​$1,325 - Non-members
• Additional dinner guest $160

Registration after 20 October 2021

• $1,275 - NZLS members and Associate members
• ​$1,375 - Non-members
• Additional dinner guest $160

Live Web Stream

Registration before 20 October 2021

• $1,065
• 2+1 registrations click here for more info Registration by email only. This option must be selected at the time of registration and cannot be applied retrospectively

Registration after 20 October 2021

• $1,115
• 2+1 registrations click here for more info Registration by email only. This option must be selected at the time of registration and cannot be applied retrospectively

Do you want to register more than one person for this course? Use the Multiple Registration button below or  Click here

Download PDF brochure & registration form.

Wellington	18 - 19 November
Live web stream	18 - 19 November
I can't attend, but please let me know when the book is available to purchase.

Cancellation & refund policy

You may cancel your registration eight working days in advance of an event, and you will receive a refund less a 25% administration fee. If you cancel less than eight working days in advance of the event, no refund is payable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another person. If you wish to do so you must advise CLE in writing of the change. NZLS CLE Ltd reserves the right to close registrations, and, cancel or reschedule an event as necessary. Where an event is cancelled by CLE, a full refund is payable.

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