Religion and the Law Roundup
This event brings together thought-leaders in religious law to provide practical guidance on the pressing legal issues currently facing faith based institutions. Be updated on the Royal Commission dealing with historical complaints of abuse in faith based institutions, learn how to effectively structure charitable trusts, & receive a critical update on employment case law & contracts. You will walk away with valuable insights & the most current legal information affecting the religious sector. WEB2111NZA21
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD hours
Chair Mark Donovan, Barrister, Chancery Chambers
1.15pm to 2.00pm Update on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse
An insight into the legal and practical issues for faith based institutions in New Zealand’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith Based Institutions.
Presented by Jeremy Johnson, Barrister, Bankside Chambers
2.05pm to 2.50pm Structuring of Trusts Controlled by Religious Entities: How to Maximise Impact and Best Practise Governance
Often impact focused initiatives start from religious groups. But what is the best legal form for them to take? Should they be a new charitable trust or come under the umbrella of the religious group? In this session we will talk about legal structure options to ensure that a religious group is able to have maximum impact and reach out to the community while also endorsing best practise for governance for Trustees, decision making and supporting of new initiatives.
Presented by Steven Moe, Partner, Parry Field; Director of Christian Savings
2.55pm to 3.40pm Update on Employment Contracts for Faith Based Organisations
- Overview of case law developments relating to church ministers or pastors
- The nature of the relationship between churches and their employees and volunteers
- Developments in case law in other jurisdictions concerning churches and ministers/pastors
- The relationship between a church constitution and the manner in which the pastor is engaged
- Practical implications when assisting pastors/church ministers and churches in resolving work related matters
Presented by Simon Greening, Director, Watermark Employment Law
3.40pm to 4.30pm Financial Reporting Update for Religious Entities and Charities/Trusts
Recent developments in financial reporting for registered charities with a focus on religious entities including:
- New standards
- Service Performance Reporting
- Going Concern Disclosures
- Standards in development
- Measurement (including Heritage)
- Leases (including concessionary leases)
- Revenue and transfer expenses
- Tier 3 and 4 NFP standards Post-implementation Review
Presented by Judith Pinny, Project Manager, Accounting Standards, External Reporting Board
Learning Objectives:
- Receive a timely update on the Royal Commission into Historical Abuse
- Learn how to effectively structure trusts controlled by religious entities
- Be updated on employment law and contracts for faith based organisations
- Gain insights in the recent developments in accounting and reporting
Presenters
Mark Donovan
Mark commenced practice as a barrister in 2009 after practising as a senior solicitor in a large national law firm. Mark assists in the prevention and resolution of employment-related, and other civil, disputes. Mark has presented seminars to clients, churches and interest groups on employment-related legal issues. He has also assisted with the mediation and resolution of church-related disputes.
Jeremy Johnson
Jeremy is an experienced litigator and dispute resolution specialist with a proven track record in advocacy. He has particular expertise in commercial, insolvency, relationship property and equity and trust law. He is frequently instructed to appear as counsel in the courts and before arbitral tribunals. Since 2013 Jeremy has been recognised as a leader in his field in leading global directories most recently in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020 and Chambers Asia-Pacific 2020 and Chambers Global 2020 legal guides. Jeremy is a Fellow of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand for Arbitration; he is the youngest person to have achieved this distinction. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Jeremy also received the Sir Ronald Davison Award for excellence in arbitral award writing. He is available to appear as counsel in arbitrations and to take appointments as an arbitrator. Jeremy was awarded the 2017 NZ Law Awards Artemis Executive Recruitment Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (under 35). Being described as “a clear winner in this category”, the judges praised Jeremy for having an impressive career to date. Prior to joining the bar Jeremy was a partner at Wynn Williams where he led the Dispute Resolution team for eight years and was the senior litigation partner by the time he left.
Simon Greening
Simon was a partner at a mid-tier city firm, managing the employment practice before he founded Watermark Employment Law. Simon acts for employers and employees on a wide range of employment matters. Simon has represented clients at investigation meetings, disciplinary meetings, mediations with MBIE, hearings in the Employment Relations Authority, and matters on appeals to the Employment Court. He has also represented clients in proceedings before the Human Rights Tribunal, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, complaints assessment committees, and the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal.
Steven Moe
Steven Moe is a Partner at Parry Field Lawyers with a focus on 'for purpose' organisations ranging from social enterprises to charities, NFPs and religious groups. He has worked as a lawyer for 20 years including 11 years overseas based in Tokyo, London and Sydney and since 2016 has been based in Christchurch. He is a Director of Christian Savings (more than $160 million in lending to Churches in Aotearoa) and is Chair of Community Finance (impact investing with a social housing focus which has raised $53 million for that). He helps facilitate the legal part of the IOD company director course, writes on purpose and impact for Spinoff, hosts ‘seeds‘ podcast with 260+ interviews of inspiring people from across Aotearoa and wrote the book “Social Enterprises in New Zealand: A Legal Handbook”.
Judith Pinny
Judith Pinny has worked for 9 years at the External Reporting Board, developing and maintaining New Zealand’s accounting standards in the for‑profit and PBE sectors, which includes registered charities. Judith is the Bishop’s Warden at Wellington Cathedral of St. Paul and serves on the Cathedral’s Finance Committee. She is also a member of the Anglican Diocese of Wellington (ADW) Risk and Assurance Committee, and a Trustee on the ADW Board of Trustees.
Testimonials
“Clear and relevant information”
“Engaging speakers and interesting topics”