Family Law Conference 2025 - the future is here

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The CLE New Zealand Law Society Family Law Conference has established itself as the “must go, not to be missed event” for all family law practitioners. With its reputation for high-quality sessions, impressive speakers, collegiality, and a memorable conference dinner, you should register now.

From the chair

If you haven’t read any of Richard Susskind’s books about the future of the legal profession, I would recommend that you do. He particularly focuses on what he refers to as fundamental, irreversible change in the way that lawyers work. Professor Susskind has written 11 books, the latest one called How to Think About AI (2025).

AI was at the forefront of the minds in the conference planning group from the outset. To me, it seems we have, in the blink of an eye, gone from AI is coming to AI is here, and what flavour would you like with that?

We thought about what other changes were on the way or now here, and the list was extensive! We looked at the increased use of technology in the courts, meeting our clients’ expectations in this fast-changing environment, how can we resolve rather than litigate, what is happening around the world that we can learn from, what key cases and evidence opportunities should we be learning from, have we got the right tools for the job and how can we best advocate for our clients, to just name a few.

With those concepts in mind, we have engaged experts in their field who will give us their insights about the practise of family law and who intend to challenge us to think critically about where we’re going and how we can practise family law in the future.

I hope you will join us and take up the challenge.

Conference chair

  Stephen McCarthy KC, Barrister, Auckland

Programme outline

Download PDF brochure for a full outline of each session

Day 1 Mihi Whakatau Keynote: Opening address – Principal Family Court Judge Moran Keynote: The 21st Century Family Law Client – challenges and opportunities Te Au Reka – a digital court Breakout Session 1*:  – A – Mediation is Not Litigation – responding to your client's who wish to have their legal problems solved  – B – The Tangled Web of Relationship Property  – C – Understanding Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) Family Law Section Update Breakout Session 2*:  – A – Considering and Filing an Appeal – a practical guide to the necessary steps   – B – Drug and Alcohol Testing – what's happening out there and are you ready for it   – C – The Hague Convention and Family Violence – when is it a grave risk? AI – don't get left behind  Conference dinner and dance

Day 2 Keynote: Neurodiversity, Personality Disorders & Difficult People – alternative approaches for the 21st century lawyer's toolkit Tikanga and Dispute Resolution Breakout Session 3*: – A – Insights into Fathers' Experience After Separation – B – Spousal Maintenance – key concepts  – C – Building Emotional Intelligence and Sustainable Practice in Family Law Keynote: Kindness on Trial – a motion to rethink how we practise and why Appellate Advocacy in the Senior Courts – your big day out  Family Law "Unplugged" – a debate about important family issues

* the most popular breakout sessions will be broadcast by live stream. 

Learning objectives

In this conference you will be:

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

Who should attend

All lawyers at all levels working in family law.

Pre-conference workshop – 15 October 1.00pm-5.00pm

Rethinking Approaches to COCA Cases – a toolkit for the future, today

This interactive workshop will explore new ways of resolving complex Care of Children Act 2004 (COCA) cases. It will appeal to all family lawyers 0-7 years PQE, and all those on the Lawyer for Child lists, who are looking for new ways to achieve excellent outcomes for families. Gain new insights, practical tips and be ahead of the game with your communication and approach.

The workshop will focus on improving outcomes using:

• strategic thinking
• innovative advocacy
• methods of mitigating (and not aggravating) conflict
• the proactive approach of a Lawyer for Child.

Presenters: Her Honour Judge Sarah Morrison, Rachael Dewar and Simon Mitchell KC

Social events 

Pre-conference welcome drinks 

Pre-conference welcome drinks at Cordis, Auckland from 5.30-7.00pm on 15 October – the Family Law Section (supported by Haigh Lyon and Tompkins Wake) are proud to sponsor this function and welcome you to Auckland for the CLE Family Law Conference. This is a great chance to catch up with your colleagues from all around the country, meet new people, and get into the conference frame of mind. 

Conference dinner

 

The conference dinner is at the Cordis Hotel with the dress-up theme: Back to the Future! Thursday 16 October 7.00pm-11.45pm, The Great Room, Cordis, Auckland.

Bring an additional dinner guest
The conference registration fee includes your own attendance at the dinner. If you wish to bring a guest to the dinner the cost is $185 per person. Please register your guest/s on the registration form/at the checkout.

Timings

• Pre-conference workshop: 15 October 1.00pm – 5.00pm
• Pre-conference welcome drinks: 15 October 5.30pm – 7.00pm
• Conference day 1: 16 October 9.00am – 5.00pm
• Conference dinner: 16 October 7.00pm – 11.45pm
• Conference day 2: 17 October 9.00am – 4.30pm

Book

A background book written by the presenters is available in hard copy, PDF, or both. Please indicate your choice upon registration.

• Hard Copy: Pick it up at the registration desk or have it sent to you by courier if you're attending via live stream – no extra charge.
• PDF: We'll email you a PDF copy of the book 3 working days before the event – no extra charge.
• Both: Get the best of both worlds! We'll email you the PDF 3 working days before the event, and you will either collect the hard copy at the registration desk or have it sent by courier if you're attending via live stream – for an additional $65

Format

This conference will include a diverse lineup of expert presenters covering a range of topics. Each session will include time for questions.

Held in-person & online. Live web stream registrants – you will be emailed a link to join the live stream one week before. For information on what is required to participate in the live web stream, click here. The most popular breakout sessions will be live streamed. A recording will be distributed approximately one week after the event.

New! Live Stream Recordings for In-Person Attendees

In-person attendees now receive four weeks of access to live stream recordings following each session. This added benefit allows you to revisit key insights, in your own time – at your own pace, and reinforce your understanding to extend the value of your learning well beyond attending the event. Recordings will be available approximately one week after the event.

Fee (incl GST) 

Pre-Conference Workshop In-person Only

• $350 – Law Society members & associate members
• $500 – Non-members

Conference In-person

Earlybird – by 17 September 2025

• $1,775 – Law Society members & associate members
• $2,535 – Non-members
• Additional dinner guests $185 each

Registration – after 17 September 2025

• $1,975 – Law Society members & associate members
• $2,735 – Non-members
• Additional dinner guests $185 each

Conference Live Web Stream

Earlybird – by 17 September 2025

• $1,550 – Law Society members & associate members
• $2,215 – Non-members

Registration – after 17 September 2025

• $1,750 – Law Society members & associate members
• $2,415 – Non-members

View group pricing options
Download full PDF brochure & registration form

Auckland – Pre-Conference Workshop	15 October 2025
Auckland – Conference	16 – 17 October 2025
Live Web Stream – Conference	16 – 17 October 2025
I can't attend, but please let me know when the book is available to purchase.

Comments from past attendees

• “Such diverse presentations, informative and challenging, great to see different perspectives.”
• “I came away from every session with a gem of new information. The robust content was a highlight.”
• “Very informative and comprehensive materials.”
• “All the presentations explored family law from many different perspectives, and it allowed me to understand a range of important topics that impact the way family law operates.”

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 New Zealand Law Society in writing of the change. CLE 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.