Introduction to Family Law Advocacy & Practice 2025

In this hands-on workshop, you will follow through a family violence/interim parenting case from the first client meeting to representing your client in the Family Court. You will learn how to master the core tasks, methods, strategies, and documentary and non-documentary procedures required. This course is recommended by the Ministry of Justice.

Topics will include:

• How to gather the facts of the case
• What material to include in various court documents and why
• How to create effective affidavits
• Successful strategies for dealing with more experienced lawyers – in person and in writing
• Presenting effective arguments in court, with constructive feedback
• How to put survival strategies in place for when things go wrong.

Learning objective

By attending this workshop you will:

• Learn the core tasks, strategies and procedures for planning and running a family violence/interim parenting case.

Format

The programme is focused on skills development, knowledge and know-how. A range of teaching techniques will be used, including small group discussion, role-playing, mock courts and individual exercises.

Who should attend

Family law practitioners with up to three years of experience. Note: this workshop is limited to 40 participants.

Presenters

Sarah Ineson
McWilliam Tyree Lawyers, Wellington

Sarah is a family law specialist and Special Counsel at McWilliam Tyree. She has been in practice for over 20 years and currently works in all areas of family law. Sarah takes Lawyer for Child, Lawyer to Assist, and Youth Advocate appointments. She also takes PAL 2 criminal legal aid assignments.

 

Helen Tyree
McWilliams Lawyers, Wellington

Helen is a Director of McWilliam Tyree and has been practising in all areas of family law since 2003. She takes Lawyer for Child, Lawyer for Subject Person, and Lawyer to Assist appointments, regularly presents seminars on various aspects of family law and is a contributing author to Brookers Family Law – Family Property (Thomson Reuters) on relationship property matters.
 

Materials

Participants will receive materials in advance.

Pre Course Work

You need to spend at least 3 hours reviewing the materials to be ready for the course.

Timing

• Day 1: 9.00am – 5.00pm with a social hour from 5.00pm
• Day 2: 8.30am – 5.00pm

Fee (incl GST)

Law Society Members benefit from up to 30% off 

• $895 – Law Society members & associate members
• $1,250 – Non-members

Please note: The fee to transfer to another session is $100. No transfers are available from one calendar year to the next.

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

Financial assistance

Financial assistance may be available through the Douglas Wilson Advocacy Scholarship Trust for New Zealand based lawyers. 

Applications for assistance must be received by: 5pm on Monday 20 October 2025.

Late applications cannot be considered.

Please note: You must still register to attend this course, either online or by completing a registration form.

Download a Douglas Wilson Advocacy Scholarship Trust application form

Download PDF registration form

Wellington

25 - 26 November

Comments from past attendees

• “This course was an incredible learning experience.”
• “Very open, comfortable environment, with safe learning, and excellent advice and guidance.”
• “The material was clear and thorough.”

Developed with the support of

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.