Statutory Interpretation: A Practical Approach
213NZW06: An essential programme for lawyers wanting to fine tune their skills when approaching statutory interpretation. Join our statutory wordsmiths for an examination of the key principles of purpose, context and structure. Strengthen your interpretation with an understanding of Māori words and international law and walk away with techniques that will assist you when confronted with your next ambiguous statute.
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD hours
Chair: Professor Catherine Iorns Magallanes, Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington
2.00pm to 2.05pm Opening Comments by the Chair
2.05pm to 3.05pm Purpose, Context and Structure: How Does it All Fit Together?
- Understanding the critical role of purpose, context and structure of legislation in statutory interpretation
- Considering relevant rules of interpretation including deliberate omissions, inferences and inconsistency within the same Act
- A practical guide to recent cases involving statutory interpretation
Presented by Catherine Marks, Special Counsel, Russell McVeagh
3.05pm to 4.05pm Interpretation of Māori Words in Legislation: Understanding the Different Categories and Judicial Approaches
- Different categories of Māori words in legislation
- Judicial approaches
- References to tikanga Māori
Presented by Māmari Stephens, Reader in Law, Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington
4.05pm to 4.20pm Afternoon Tea
4.20pm to 5.20pm The Presumption of Consistency: Strengthening Your Interpretation with International Law
- Current approaches of the courts
- Understanding international law: custom, treaties and “soft law”
- When are international law arguments most effective?
Presented by Elana Geddis, Barrister
Learning Objectives:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the role of purpose, context and structure of legislation in statutory interpretation
- Benefit from essential guidance on the interpretation of Māori words in legislation
- Strengthen your interpretation with an understanding of the courts’ current approaches to international law
Presenters
Professor Catherine Iorns Magallanes, Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington
Catherine Iorns is a Law Professor at Victoria University of Wellington. She has more than 25 years' experience teaching and researching on statutory interpretation, as well as climate change, environmental law and indigenous rights. She has published articles on statutory interpretation that have been cited before the NZ Supreme Court, and has received several awards for her teaching and research. Catherine's additional roles include being the Academic Adviser to the NZ Council of Legal Education, a member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, and New Zealand's nominee to the IUCN governing world Council.
Catherine Marks, Special Counsel, Russell McVeagh
Catherine has more than 20 years legal experience and specialises in administrative and regulatory law and public law litigation. She was a partner in a UK law firm specialising in local Government and Government law before returning to New Zealand in 2005. A key area of specialisation is regulatory work in the electricity, gas, telecommunications and banking sectors. Catherine's public law experience includes advice on public sector procurement and governance issues, law reform and judicial review.
Māmari Stephens, Reader in Law, Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington
Māmari has been with the Faculty of Law since January 2006 after several years studying, and working in Corrections & Māori broadcasting. From 2008 until 2015 Māmari, along with Assistant Professor Mary Boyce formerly of the University of Hawaii, ran the Legal Māori Project. She recently completed the first comprehensive text on social security law, published in 2019 by Thomson Reuters. Current research Māmari is currently engaged in the following research project: He Pounga—Māori Practical Jurisprudence Project. This project is investgating how tikanga Māori is being used in urban and suburgan Māori organisations to make decisions and resolve problems. This project will create better understanding of Māori frameworks for legal practice and decision-making in the modern urbanised context.
Elana Geddis, Barrister
Elana has 25 years of comprehensive experience in the practice of public and public international law, both inside and outside of government. She has an in depth understanding of the interpretation and implementation of international obligations, and regularly advises on the implications of international law in the NZ context. Elana has appeared as counsel before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and a specialised international arbitral tribunal established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as the New Zealand Supreme Court. Before joining the independent bar in 2011, Elana was Deputy Director of the Legal Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Venue
InterContinental Wellington
Level 1, 2 Grey Street
Wellington 6011
New Zealand
Parking
Limited valet parking available at $20 per day. Additional parking available at Wilson Parking with $5 per half hour and $22 for early-bird. Parking is not included in the registration fee and price is subject to change.
Directions
The Intercontinental is a 2 min walk from Lambton Quay which has a number of buses going to airport and suburbs. It's a 10 min walk to the nearest train station. Taxis are also available downstairs at the hotel entry