Judicial Review 2026

Judicial review gives effect to the rule of law. It enables the courts to supervise the exercise of decision-making powers by a range of different bodies. If you operate in the public law area or advise decision-makers, this seminar offers you a practical approach to the principles and processes involved in judicial review.

Topics covered will include:

• The fundamentals of judicial review
• Grounds of review
• How to promote lawful decision-making/mitigate the risk of judicial review
• How to run and defend a judicial review action
• Recent case law developments.

Learning objectives

By attending this seminar you will:

• Know the requirements for valid decision-making.
• Become familiar with the latest case law on judicial review.
• Consider strategic options for influencing the decision-making process in your client’s favour.
• Consider how best to achieve your client’s objectives and the role judicial review can play.
• Learn how to run a judicial review proceeding.

Who should attend

All lawyers in both the public and private sectors who wish to increase their knowledge of decision-making processes, judicial review and the current approach of the courts in those areas.

Presenters

Rachael Jones
Bankside Chambers, Auckland

Rachael is an experienced litigation lawyer with expertise in Māori legal issues, public and administrative law. She has appeared in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and Māori Land Court. With her special interest in Māori legal issues, Rachael has represented clients in precedent cases relating to tikanga Māori in the law of Aotearoa in the senior courts. She has also acted in alternative dispute resolution forums for iwi and hapū clients, as well as for entities who engage with Māori groups. Rachael joined Bankside Chambers as a member in 2025 after nearly a decade in the litigation team at Chapman Tripp. She is from Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa and Ngāti Rakaipaaka.
 

Robert Kirkness

Robert has a broad commercial, public and international law practice. He appears as counsel for private clients, the Crown and State agencies in commercial and public law disputes before the New Zealand courts, including several leading judicial review cases. Robert also appears as counsel for States and private clients in disputes before international courts and tribunals. In addition to counsel work, he has served as arbitrator in several international commercial disputes.

 

Sally McKechnie
Simpson Grierson, Wellington

Sally is a leading public law and regulatory advisor and litigator. She founded and leads Simpson Grierson’s public law and government practice. Sally helps both private and public clients to manage a wide range of public and administrative law and regulatory issues including regulatory disputes, judicial review and declaratory judgment. She assists clients with participating in inquiries, government reviews and Royal Commissions and conducts investigations.
 

Resources

A PDF book is included in the seminar fee and will be emailed to you along with your ticket, one week before the seminar.

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. A recording will be distributed approximately one week after the event.

Live Stream Recording

All attendees will recieve four weeks of access to the live stream recording. 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)

Law Society Members benefit from up to 30% off

In-Person

• $445 – Law Society members & associate members
• $635 – Non-members

Live web stream

• $425 – Law Society members & associate members
• $605 – Non-members

I can't attend, but please let me know when the book is available to purchase.

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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.