Representing Children: Tips, Techniques and Best Practice Guidance
Practitioners, including family lawyers, entrusted to represent children must possess a certain set of skills to ensure child representation and participation is effective and meaningful. Take a dive into understanding child participation and interviewing techniques. Receive guidance on your role in Oranga Tamariki files, working with Māori and Pasifika children, and recognising the early signs of formative trauma. WEB218NZA17
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD hours
Chair: Lili-Marina Stanley, Partner, Reids Family Law; Lawyer for Child
9.00am to 9.05am Opening Comments by the Chair
9.05am to 10.05am Representing Children and Understanding Child Participation
- Why children are participating in care and contact 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
- When best interests and children’s views do not align
- Developmental considerations
Presented by Dr Deb Inder, Barrister, Mediator and Lawyer for Child
10.05am to 11.05am Your Role as a Lawyer for Child in Oranga Tamariki Files and Working with Māori and Pasifika Children and Families
Examine the role of lawyer for child in Oranga Tamariki files and receive practical insight into working with Māori and Pasifika children and families
Presented by Mānia Hope, Barrister, Puna Chambers; Counsel for Child and Lisa Samusamuvodre, Barrister, Matariki Chambers; Lawyer for Child
11.05am to 11.15am Break
11.15am to 12.15pm Seeking to Understand: Recognising Formative Trauma and Working with Institutionalised Clients
- The key difference between the child's perspective as retold by clients compared to the adult's perspective
- Intergenerational trauma: understanding history and causal connection
- Pre-emptive v reactive: recognising the early signs
- Interviewing clients: techniques and the importance of developing trust and rapport
- Insight into real stories and cases
Presented by David Allan, Barrister, Thackeray Chambers
Learning Objectives:
- Understand child participation and consider best practice tips on interviewing children in care and contact cases
- Examine the role of lawyer for child in Oranga Tamariki files and receive practical insight into working with Māori and Pasifika children and families
- Receive guidance on recognising formative trauma and working with institutionalised clients
Presenters
Dr Deb Inder, Barrister, Mediator and Lawyer for 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.
Lili-Marina Stanley, Partner, Reids Family Law; Lawyer for Child
Lili-Marina is a Partner at Reids Family Law in Lower Hutt, Wellington. As a senior family Court Lawyer, Lili-Marina undertakes all areas of practice of family law, for both legal aid and for private paying clients and she is on the Lawyer for child and Counsel to Assist Lists. The client base served by Lili-Marina covers the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington regions and the Masterton Court. Lili-Marina is a New Zealand born Samoan. She has been involved in the Pilot Programme and a mentor for the Pacific Island Law students at Victoria University of Wellington. She has also previously been an executive member of the Wellington Samoa Rugby Union, a Union she still actively supports. She is a staunch support of the Hurricanes and the All Blacks.
Mānia Hope, Barrister, Puna Chambers; Counsel for Child
Mania is a barrister based in Hamilton Central with over ten years’ experience in the Family Court. In her legal practice, she represents a culturally diverse set of clients focused on providing them with high-quality advocacy in and out of the courtroom. Having grown up immersed in Te Reo Māori me ona tikanga, Mania is a fluent speaker of Te Reo Māori, she understands issues that affect Maori in the Family Court space and is able to provide advice and support that is in keeping with Maori world views. In her role as a Family Court lawyer and as a District Inspector of Mental Health, Mania represents very vulnerable people, including: people who have been affected by family violence, parents who are trying to resolve custody disputes; children who have a Court appointed lawyer; and patients who are subject to compulsory treatment under the Mental Health Act. Mania proudly serves the Hamilton, Huntly, Te Kuiti, Te Awamutu, Morrinsville, and the outer regions if required.
David Allan, Barrister, Thackeray Chambers
David has a particular interest in improving the interview method of lawyers across the whole criminal justice system in order to identify, as far as is possible, what particular issues have contributed to the person's offending and how the risk of re-offending can be best managed. David presented a paper "Interviewing to find the Person" to the New Zealand Parole Board Conference in September 2013. David co-presented with Dr Brigit Mirfin-Veitch, a NZLS CLE Ltd webinar "Criminal Law - working with intellectually disabled clients" in March 2015.
Lisa Samusamuvodre, Barrister, Matariki Chambers; Lawyer for Child
Lisa practices in Manukau, Auckland as a Barrister sole. She is Māori (Ngāpuhi/ Ngāti Pāoa) and Fijian. Lisa was born in Fiji, but spent her formative years in Porirua and Dunedin. After graduating from Otago University, Lisa was admitted to the Bar in NZ and Fiji in 1999. With approximately 20 years experience as a lawyer, Lisa now specialises in family law accepting both legal aid and private instructions and Court Appointed roles. Lisa’s client base is mainly from south Auckland and north Waikato areas. Outside of work, Lisa holds a number of Community governance roles including Chairperson of a Fijian Early Childhood Centre. To relax, Lisa loves gardening, hanging out with whānau and enjoying the warm Fiji or Bay of Islands weather.