Family Law Evidence and Advocacy Masterclass
WEB213NZA33: Join Simon Jefferson QC and a stellar line-up of family law advocates and gain the knowledge and skills to represent your client effectively in the Family Court. This masterclass focuses on the role of evidence in practice and provides valuable tips in cross-examining an expert. You will gain insight into constructing and presenting persuasive arguments and how to represent children meaningfully and effectively. Don’t miss out on this highly practical programme.
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD hours
Chair: Inger Blackford, Barrister, Trinity Chambers
1.15pm to 1.20pm Opening Comments by the Chair
1.20pm to 2.05pm Effective Advocacy in the Courtroom: A Practical Guide
- How to construct and present persuasive submissions
- Getting more from your own witnesses: updating evidence and re-examination
- Effective cross-examination
- Document management in the courtroom
Presented by Daniel Vincent, Partner, Cullinane Steele
2.10pm to 2.55pm Evidence in the Family Court
Join Simon Jefferson QC and examine:
- The role of the Evidence Act
- The relaxation of the rules of evidence
- Why this is good in practice
Presented by Simon Jefferson QC, Trinity Chambers
3.00pm to 3.45pm How to Cross-Examine an Expert: Tips for You and Your Client
- Evaluating your preparation
- Cross-examination techniques
- Tips for you and your client
Presented by Amanda Donovan, Partner, Haigh Lyon
3.50pm to 4.35pm Representing Children and Understanding Child Participation
- Why children are participating in private law disputes or care and contact disputes/COCA disputes
- What is meant by children’s participation
- What children say they want from their participation
- Seven steps to follow to ensure the child's participation is meaningful and effective
- Tips on interviewing children in care and contact cases
- When best interests and children’s views do not align
Presented by Dr Deb Inder, Barrister, Mediator and Lawyer for the Child
4.35pm to 4.40pm Closing Comments by the Chair
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to construct and present persuasive submissions to enhance your advocacy skills in the courtroom
- Receive practical guidance on the Evidence Act
- Gain valuable tips and strategies on cross examining an expert in the Family Court
- Understand child participation and consider best practice tips on interviewing children in care and contact cases
Presenters
Inger Blackford, Barrister, Trinity Chambers
Inger is a specialist family law barrister and has been in practice for more than 25 years. Inger is a Fellow of the IAFL (International Academy of Family Lawyers), served as Co-Chair of the Family Law & Family Rights Section of LAWASIA and has been the NZ representative on the Committee since 2005. Inger was a member of the International Family Law Issues Standing Committee for the FLS (NZLS) for more than 3 years and served as convener. Inger specialises in complex relationship property matters, often with international aspects, and Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. Inger is a member of the panel of lawyers who undertake work on behalf of the NZ Central Authority in relation to applications under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction and the International Recovery of Maintenance.
Daniel Vincent, Partner, Cullinane Steele
Daniel specialises in complex family litigation, often involving international and cross border issues. He appears regularly in appellate jurisdictions, most recently in respect of the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction but also on relationship property and trust matters. In addition to his private practice, he also maintains a busy Lawyer for Child practice. He has over 20 years’ experience in litigation and is an experienced advocate in both appellate and trial contexts. Having led the family team at Thomas Dewar Sziranyi Letts in Wellington for a number of years, he has recently joined Cullinane Steele where he leads the litigation team.
Simon Jefferson QC, Trinity Chambers
Simon Jefferson has had more than 33 years' legal experience specialising almost exclusively in family law since 1983. After 20 years as a partner with Shieff Angland, he left to practice at the independent bar in June 2006. He was elevated to the status of Queen's Counsel in 2013. Simon has appeared in the Family Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. A number of his cases feature in the Law Reports and he is particularly noted for his appellate advocacy. Appointed a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2005, he was also an Executive Member of the Family Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society from 2001 to 2008.
Amanda Donovan, Partner, Haigh Lyon
Amanda’s clients value that she’s astute, commercially savvy and easy to relate to. With a background in psychology, she helps make difficult situations comfortable and drives dialogue when the going gets tough. A strategic thinker with incredible spirit and vitality, Amanda has practised in family law for over 20-years, working primarily in the highly specialized areas of relationship property and claims against trusts. A keen listener and insightful reader of people, Amanda is the person you want to contribute to the negotiations when relationships are forming or finishing. On the inside, she is the firm’s go-to for solving problems; her intuition is her super power.
Dr Deb Inder, Barrister, Mediator and Lawyer for the Child
Admitted to the Bar in 1998, Dr Deb Inder is a Barrister and Accredited Mediator. Deb conducts both FDR and private mediations as well as regularly appearing in the Family Court as Court Appointed Lawyer for the Child and on behalf of Private and Legal Aid clients. Deb has a Post Graduate Diploma in Child Centred Practice (with Distinction) and a PhD in Law, her Thesis topic being: Children’s Participation Rights within the Context of the New Zealand Family Justice System.