Family Law: Evidence and Advocacy
Join 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 for re-examination, how to deal with poorly drafted evidence and how to interpret expert reports. Don’t miss out on this highly practical programme. WEB223NZA41
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 Evidence in the Family Court: It is Not a Free for All
- The role of the Evidence Act
- The relaxation of the rules of evidence
- Why this is good in practice
Presented by Simon Jefferson KC, Trinity Chambers
2.10pm to 2.55pm Re-examination: Tips and Techniques
- When can re-examination take place?
- When should you re-examine?
- Re-examination techniques
- Tips for you and your client
Presented by Jackie Dale, Senior Associate, McVeagh Fleming
3.00pm to 3.45pm Interlocutory Procedures in the Family Court
- Dealing with poorly drafted evidence: strike out
- Soliciting further evidence: discovery and interrogatories
Presented by Brintyn Smith, Barrister
3.50pm to 4.35pm Analysing and Interpreting Expert Reports
Receive practical guidance on how to interpret and analyse expert reports in the Family Court.
Presented by Daniel Vincent, Director, Cullinane Steele
4.35pm to 4.40pm Final Q+A and Closing Comments by the Chair
Learning Objectives:
- Receive practical guidance on the Evidence Act
- Improve your technique and approach to re-examination
- Gain tips on dealing with poorly drafted evidence and how to solicit further evidence
- Enhance your ability to interpret and analyse expert reports in the Family Court
Presenters
Inger Blackford
Inger is a specialist family law barrister and has been in practice for over 27 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 is also a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. Inger specialises in complex relationship property matters, often with international aspects, and Hague Convention on International Child Abduction.
Simon Jefferson KC
Simon Jefferson has had more than 38 years' legal experience specialising almost exclusively in family law since 1983. After 20 years as a partner with Shieff Angland, Simon left to practice at the independent bar in June 2006, and was elevated to the status of King's Counsel in 2013. 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. He is editor of the Practice and Procedure Manual for Thomson Brookers.
Daniel Vincent
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.
Jackie Dale
Jackie is a Senior Associate in McVeagh Fleming's Family Law Litigation Team and has been in practice specialising in this area of law since 2003. Jackie works on a full and diverse range of family law matters, with a focus on providing clients practical advice for resolution of complex parenting, relocation and family violence matters through negotiation, mediation and litigation options. Jackie appears regularly in the Family Court in Auckland central, Manukau and Waitakere, on relationship property, maintenance, family violence, contested parenting and guardianship disputes.
Brintyn Smith
Brintyn’s professional interests are in complex care of children, Family Violence, Relocation, and Care and Protection matters. Brintyn also has a special interest in matters of procedure and evidence. He accepts appointments to act as Lawyer for Child in the Family Court. Brintyn was previously employed by the Ministry of Social Development initially as a Departmental Prosecutor and following that, as Counsel for the Chief Executive in Care and Protection matters. As part of the latter role, he appeared in the District Court when applications were made against the Chief Executive for non-party disclosure. He thereafter was employed by two senior Family Law Barristers before being approved to practice on his own account in 2018. Brintyn prides himself on being a pragmatic, solutions-orientated negotiator, particularly when it comes to matters involving children. Brintyn practices in Whangarei and all over Auckland, with a particular focus on the North Shore and Waitakere. Brintyn is a member of the New Zealand Bar Association and Family Law Section.