Lawyer for Child 2026

An integral part of the New Zealand Family Court system is the state-funded legal representation of children. Lawyers entrusted with these duties must possess a range of skills to enable them to represent children effectively in care and protection cases, in addition to facilitating children’s participation in respect of parenting arrangements. This entry level workshop introduces participants to the full range of skills, knowledge and attitudes required to carry out the role effectively. You will gain an understanding of the role, the skills required to communicate with children, child development issues, and strategies for addressing conflicts of interest when the child’s views don’t correspond with their own best interests.

Learning objectives

By the end of the workshop participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the current role of lawyer for child and ongoing changes to the nature of that role as a result of legislative changes.
• Examine their own values and beliefs in a more informed manner and understand how these might affect the way they carry out the role.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the skills required to communicate with children and the ability to put them into practice.
• Show some understanding of child development issues in planning and evaluating their interventions.
• Identify strategies for addressing the potential for conflicts of interest when the views of a child do not necessarily correspond with what the lawyer considers may be in their best interests.

Format

A variety of teaching and learning methods will be used, and a high degree of active participation is required.

Who should attend

Lawyers who are considering seeking listing as lawyer for child. Participants should have a minimum of four years of experience in the Family Court. Note: Numbers are limited so register early.
 

Presenters

Lisa Samusamuvodre
Matariki Chambers, Manukau

Lisa is Māori (Ngā Puhi/Ngāti Pāoa) and Fijian (Namotomoto, Nadi). Although admitted to the New Zealand and Fijian Bar in her early career, she has practised in Auckland as a barrister for around 20 years. Lisa specialises in family law in areas relating to childcare disputes, adoption, and Oranga Tamariki matters. She has been on the lawyer for child list for over 14 years.


April Trenberth
Clinical Psychologist, Auckland

April has a full-time private practice. She has over 30 years of experience in a wide range of settings, including mental health, child and family, and general adult settings. April divides her time between general private practice and courts and has prepared specialist reports for Family Court, High Court and Oranga Tamariki since 1995.



Jason Wren
Barrister, Christchurch

Jason has practised exclusively in the area of family law in both the North and South Islands for over 25 years. His areas of expertise relate primarily to relationship property and care of children disputes. At the same time, Jason regularly represents children in the Family Court in all manner of proceedings.

 

Materials

Materials will be couriered to you about three weeks before the course.

Timing

• Day 1: 9.00am – 5.00pm followed by the course dinner
• Day 2: 8.30am – 5.00pm
• Day 3: 9.00am – 4.00pm

Social events

The course dinner is at the course venue, 6.30pm on Day 1, Monday 30 March.

Fee (incl GST)

Law Society Members benefit from up to 30% off – please login to receive member pricing

• $2,375 – Law Society members & associate members
• $3,370 – Non-members

Fee includes the course dinner on Monday 30 March.

Please note: 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 23 February 2026.

Late applications cannot be considered.

Please note: You must still register to attend this course.

Download a Douglas Wilson Advocacy Scholarship Trust application form

Comments from past attendees

• “The presenters were amazing, insightful and engaging. They were friendly and approachable and answered all questions put to them in detail.”
• “The materials were excellent - very thorough and well-organised with lots of helpful resources and information on where to do further reading.”
• “I really enjoyed how practical and useful the content of this workshop was. I liked the role plays and court craft to see how everything is put into practice during court proceedings.”

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. View full Law Society event terms.