Family Law Forum
In this practical webinar, tailored specifically for family lawyers, you will learn how to tackle the complex issues that challenge you in your everyday practice. Hear from the experts and receive an important update on Contracting Out agreements and S21A, and understand the key principals and administrative processes for child support and maintenance. You will also gain a deeper understanding of issues relating to trans-Tasman proceedings and relationship property. WEB226NZA17
Description
Attend and earn 4 CPD hours
Chair: Stuart Cummings, Barrister, Surrey Chambers
9.00am to 10.00am Contracting Out Agreements: Avoiding the Pitfalls
- Drafting errors
- Future proofing agreements, as best we can
- How to avoid potential claims pursuant to section 21F of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976
Presented by Jennie Hawker, Partner and Kristina Dunne, Associate, Haigh Lyon
10.00am to 11.00am Update on s21A Agreements
- Highlighting some common issues still seen when drafting s21A agreements
- Tips and best practice guidance, including when giving independent legal advice
- Latest cases when problems have arisen
Presented by Helen Tyree, Director, McWilliam Tyree Lawyers
11.00am to 11.15am Break
11.15am to 12.15pm Understanding Child Support and Maintenance
- Key principles and issues of child support
- Overseas maintenance
- Child support through the IRD: The administrative process
Presented by Calina Tataru, Senior Associate, Simpson Grierson
12.15pm to 1.15pm The Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act and Relationship Property
- Understanding key jurisdictional differences
- Determining when to invoke the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act
- Challenges with relationship property and/or Trusts in both jurisdictions
- Recent case law
Presented by Vanessa Leishman, Director and Rebecca Davies, Associate, Leishman Legal
Learning Objectives:
- Receive practical guidance on Contracting Out Agreements and S21A
- Gain an essential understanding of child support and maintenance
- Consider the biggest challenges in trans-Tasman Relationship Property
Presenters
Stuart Cummings
Stuart Cummings commenced practising law in 1979 as an old-fashioned "law clerk" while completing his law degree. He was admitted in May 1982 and has practised, in the earlier days, in a number of jurisdictions before specialising in Family Law in the late 1980s. Over the past 30+ years that family law focus has further narrowed to a predominance of work in the relationship property area, including trusts, companies and complex disputes. Stuart has practiced as a Barrister sole since 1990, spent some years as a contributing author for Brookers Family Law on family property and is convenor of the Auckland District Law Society Family Law Committee and Chair of the Family Courts Association, Auckland.
Jennie Hawker
Jennie’s clients value her energy and passion. She brings a thorough, yet efficient approach, ensuring her clients are always kept abreast of all available options. Enjoying the challenge that the constant flux of family law brings, Jennie is seen as a formidable expert in all things family law; regularly speaking at events and writing commentary for family court procedure and the Property (Relationships) Act 1976. An unrelenting and strategic advocate for her clients, Jennie is lovely, but lethal. On the inside she’s the go-to for in-depth knowledge and application of family law legislation and procedures. On the outside, Jennie is a self-described ‘fitness freak’. Whether it’s up at 5am to go to the gym or running round after her two small boys in the evenings, she’s all about being active.
Kristina Dunne
Kristina’s clients value her pragmatism and thoroughness. Her attention to detail and passion for the law provide them with accurate and well thought out solutions often at highly emotional and sensitive times in their lives. Specialising in parenting and guardianship disputes, relationship property and spousal maintenance, Kristina majored in psychology as well as law. Not surprisingly, she loves working in family law, where she combines her thorough professional approach with a sympathetic ear. On the inside, Kristina is our go-to for practical, down to earth advice and a common-sense view that cuts to the chase. On the outside, she travels far and wide whenever she can. When she’s in town though, if she’s not sussing out a new a restaurant, she’s most likely at the beach or out on the water.
Helen Tyree
Helen is a director of McWilliam Tyree Lawyers, having been an Associate and then Senior Associate at McWilliam Rennie (predecessor of McWilliam Tyree) since 2014. Helen has practiced all areas of family law since 2003. As well as acting for clients in all areas of family law, Helen undertakes regular appointments as lawyer for child and as lawyer for subject persons under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act. Helen is also a contributing author for the legal publication “Brookers Family Law on Family Property”, writing about relationship property agreements (separation agreements, contracting-out agreements, and setting aside those agreements). She also contributed significantly to McWilliam Rennie’s submissions to the Law Commission in relation to their review of relationship property and then succession law. She has presented seminars for Legalwise on a range of relationship property matters, relationship property law developments and on the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act. Helen Tyree graduated from Otago University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Laws and from Brunel University of London in 2003 with a Master of Law in Child Law and Policy (with distinction). From 2003 she worked in firms in Taranaki specialising in family law before joining McWilliam Rennie in 2014.
Calina Tataru
Calina Tataru holds a BA/LLB (Hons) (University of Canterbury) and joined the family law team at Simpson Grierson in 2016. Previously Calina worked for a boutique litigation firm and as a District Court research counsel where she developed extensive knowledge of family law and court processes. Calina mainly advises clients on relationship property and care of children issues but also acts for clients involved in estate litigation and contentious leasing matters. Calina enjoys assisting her clients achieve resolutions to long-standing family disputes, and brings a pragmatic approach to her practice.
Vanessa Leishman
Vanessa has practised family law for more than 28 years in both Australia and New Zealand. Vanessa is the principal and director of Leishman Legal, a Trans-Tasman family law firm with offices in both Auckland and Brisbane. Uniquely, Vanessa represents clients in both Australia and New Zealand and regularly travels back and forth between the two countries to appear in family law proceedings. Vanessa’s work includes a wide range of complex property and parenting matters and frequently matters involving family violence and child protection. Vanessa’s international experience also sees her regularly involved in cross-border disputes, in particular, Trans-Tasman disputes involving legal issues such as determining the appropriate jurisdiction in which the family law issue should be heard, dealing with property in more than one jurisdiction, enforcement of child support arrangements or parenting orders and disputes involving international relocation and child abduction including under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Vanessa is a volunteer legal adviser at Women’s Legal Service in Queensland and as part of her commitment to the community, also undertakes a number of pro bono cases each year.
Rebecca Davies
Rebecca joined Leishman Legal’s newly opened Auckland office in January 2022. She has practised law for over eight years and specialises in all facets of family law matters, including property, parenting and care of children, family violence and protection, incapacity, wills, and trusts and estates. Moreover, she has extensive experience in dealing with civil disputes and employment issues. Prior to joining Leishman Legal, Rebecca was an associate and practised family law in a mid-tier Auckland law firm for four years. Rebecca is adept at facilitating mediation and out-of-court settlements and has represented clients in the Family Court, the District Court and the High Court. She has presented at numerous seminars and conferences on various aspects of family law.