From the chairs

Come and join us

Human rights litigation has grown significantly on both sides of the Tasman over the last 10 years or so. Yet, despite the many similarities in our economic, social and legal cultures, reference to case law on the other side of the Tasman is relatively sparse.

This two-day case law conference is designed to enable practitioners on both sides of the Tasman to learn more about each other’s human rights systems and case law in order to enrich each other’s jurisprudence. It will focus on the statutory rights charters (in New Zealand, the ACT, Victoria and Queensland) and on the role of the common law.

The conference will cover some of the big issues of the day on both sides of the Tasman, including the impact of human rights litigation on criminal law and procedure, climate change, indigenous rights, religion and personal liberty.

We have lined up respected judges and leading practitioners from all the principal human rights jurisdictions and from the common law jurisdictions. Confirmed speakers include the Chief Justice of New Zealand, the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, and senior judges from New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT.

We are delighted to be involved and confident that the conference will offer a fantastic opportunity for lawyers practising in the area of human rights and also members of the legal profession with an interest in human rights issues, to get together and hear from a range of excellent speakers addressing some of the most important issues in human rights and common law jurisdictions.

The conference format has been designed to allow for plenty of delegate mingling so that attendees have opportunities to network and exchange ideas and experiences outside of the conference hall.

We are excited to be able to bring to you this inaugural Human Rights Law Trans-Tasman Conference and look forward to seeing you in Queenstown or online on 12 & 13 August 2024.

Chairs: 

• Andrew Butler KC, Thorndon Chambers, New Zealand
• Kylie Evans SC, Victorian Bar, Australia

Programme outline

Day 1

• Keynote - Rights Down Under: Charting the course of Human Rights Law in Australia and New Zealand
  Presenter: The Rt Hon Helen Winkelmann (GNZM), Chief Justice of New Zealand
• Keynote - Human Rights Protection in Australia: Setting the scene
  Presenter: The Hon Justice Kristen Walker, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Victoria
• Differences and Similarities Between New Zealand and Australia: A practitioner's perspective
  Presenters: Joanna Davidson, Victorian Bar, Australia and Prof Jason Varuhas, Crown Law Office, New Zealand
• Comparing and Contrasting Common Law and Statutory Protection of Human Rights
  Presenter: The Hon Justice Kristina Stern, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of New South Wales
• Cultural Rights and Human Rights Statutes
  Presenters: Prof Claire Charters, University of Auckland, New Zealand and Tony McAvoy SC, New South Wales Bar, Australia
• Criminal Process Rights Under Human Rights Statutes
  Presenters: Nick Chisnall KC, Augusta Chambers, New Zealand and Saul Holt KC, Queensland Bar, Australia
  Moderated by: The Hon Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson, Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory
• Challenges for Courts in Human Rights Litigation on Both Sides of the Tasman
  Presenters: The Rt Hon Helen Winkelmann (GNZM), Chief Justice of New Zealand and The Hon Debra Mortimer, Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia
  Moderated by: The Hon Pamela Tate AM KC
• Followed by Conference dinner

Day 2

• Addressing Climate Change Issues Through Human Rights Statutes
  Presenter: Andrew Butler KC, Thorndon Chambers, New Zealand
• Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion: The current landscape in legislation and case law
  Presenter: Paul Rishworth KC, Britomart Chambers, New Zealand
• Litigating Human Rights: Evidence and remedies
  Presenters: Kylie Evans SC, Victorian Bar, Australia and a New Zealand Specialist
• The High Court and the Right to Liberty: NZYQ 
  Presenter: Craig Lenehan SC, New South Wales Bar, Australia
• Emerging Issues and Trends
  Panel Discussion

Learning objectives

By attending this conference you will:

• Be updated on topical issues, legislation and case law on both sides of the Tasman.
• Deepen your understanding of human rights issues and practice in Human Rights Acts and common law jurisdictions.
• Be able to apply this knowledge to your practice.

Times (all times are NZST)

Conference Day 1 – Monday 12 August

• 8.30am Registration
• 9.00am Sessions begin
• 5.10pm Sessions end
• 7.00pm – 11.00pm Conference Dinner. Dress code: business or formal dinner attire

Conference Day 2 – Tuesday 13 August

• 9.00am Sessions begin
• 2.50pm Sessions end 

Venue

• In-person
  Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown
  38-54 Lake Esplanade
  Queenstown, New Zealand
• Live Web Stream
  At your desk or device

Accommodation

Special conference rates have been arranged at Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown or QT Hotel & Resort. see PDF brochure for details. We recommend you book early.

Conference 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

*All Live web stream attendees – if you select hard copy or both – your book will be couriered to you.
International Live Web Stream attendees: International courier fee for Hard Copy books applies – indicative cost $100-$150 NZD - the CLE team will contact you to determine accurate costing.

Fee (incl GST)

All fees are quoted in New Zealand Dollars and include GST (Goods and Services Tax) which is payable by both New Zealand residents and non-residents. GST is 15%.

Conference in-person

Special offer up to 30 June 2024

• $1,625 – New Zealand Law Society Members and Associate members
• $1,825 – Non-members

Registration – from 1 July 2024

• $1,675 – New Zealand Law Society Members and Associate members
• $2,177 – Non-members

Additional Dinner Guests

• $165 per extra guest

Live Web Stream

Special offer up to 30 June 2024

• $1,575 – New Zealand Law Society Members and Associate members
• $1,775 – Non-members
• 2+1 registrations - more info (must be arranged at time of booking)

Registration – from 1 July 2024

• $1,625 – New Zealand Law Society Members and Associate members
• $2,112 – Non-members
• 2+1 registrations - more info (must be arranged at time of booking)

Bank fee for international Direct Credit payments

• If you are registering from outside NZ and paying by direct credit, please add $30 NZD bank fee - see dropdown options below.
• SWIFT Code: ASBBNZ2A

Download PDF Brochure & registration form

Queenstown	12 - 13 August
Live Web Stream	12 - 13 August
I can't attend, but please let me know when the book is available to purchase.

Cancellation and 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.