8:15am

Registration
Coffee and tea on arrival

8:45am

Mihi whakatau
Conference opening from President

9:30am

Keynote 1 – Judicial perspectives

Join us for insights and updates from the Bench on the courts and the delivery of justice.

10:30am

Morning Tea

11:00am

Ethics in evolution

In a complicated world, practising at the independent bar often has us confronting dilemmas involving our foundational principles of independence, impartiality, and integrity. This panel session will explore the way in which barristers should navigate a maze of contemporary issues:

• What is the extent to which barristers should get into the political arena on the issues of the day? Are barristers expected to be politically neutral in public?
• How ethical actually are public interest lawyers, who use their legal skills to champion social change in the courts but only ever take one side of the issue?
• Is the cab rank rule fit-for-purpose in today's world? 
• Where are we with the convention against counsel commenting on their own cases? Are counsel compromised by aligning themselves with their own arguments? Or is this a relic of a bygone age? 

Panel discussion (90 minutes)

12:30pm

Lunch

1:30pm

Who cares wins?

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors currently feature prominently in the news headlines, with the Trump administration’s backlash against DEI and climate initiatives. Here at home, NZ First’s woke banking bill has targeted the Gloriavale decision and “unelected, globalist, climate radicals”. The current Government’s proposed company law reform package contemplates repeal of a 2023 amendment to the Companies Act that explicitly allowed directors to take into account ESG considerations when considering how to act in the best interests of the company.

Dating from the 1970s, the Friedman Doctrine has held that the only goal of the firm is to increase its profits and maximise returns for its owners. According to the doctrine, a company is not responsible to the public or society—the only group to which the firm is socially responsible is its shareholders.

The turn of the 21st century saw a new approach to corporate governance that prioritises environmental and social considerations. Some have seen a moral imperative for a business to take into account all of the people who are affected by its decisions. Others have propounded a positive relationship between social responsibility and financial performance, rather than the two being necessarily in conflict with each other.

Join us to engage with a highly experienced panel of senior lawyers, executives and directors as they explore the intersection between directors’ statutory obligations, financial performance, and social responsibilities. This promises to be a highly thought-provoking session that bridges politics, law, economic theory, and practical application.

Panel discussion (90 minutes)

3:00pm

Strategic prison litigation

Strategic or impact litigation is a tool utilised by many groups to achieve societal goals through bringing lawsuits that not only aim to resolve a client’s specific dispute but also look to develop legal principles or influence public policy on matters of broader significance.

Trenchant criticism of conditions in our prisons from oversight bodies such as the Ombudsmen and the UN has coincided with some green shoots of strategic cases concerning the treatment of prisoners in New Zealand. Collaboration between the NZBA and the CBA has looked to build a network of criminal and public lawyers that will create capacity in this area.

This panel session canvasses the steps being taken by lawyers and NGOs in the courts to vindicate human rights in our prisons and to encourage systemic change.

4:00pm

Afternoon tea

4:30pm

Bridging the bar – Connecting the future with the foundations

Be prepared for a networking experience like no other! Get ready for a dynamic session designed to spark conversations and foster meaningful connections between junior and senior members of the independent bar. Whether you’re just starting your career or have decades in practice, this session offers an invaluable opportunity to build bonds that will enrich your professional journey — one that promises to ignite new ideas, unexpected collaborations, and fresh approaches to relationships at the bar and beyond.

5:30pm

Casual drinks and canapés – in the conference exhibition hall

Wind up the first day of the conference by joining us for casual drinks and canapes.

8:45am

De-escalation – Practical tools for challenging times

The role of advocate is hard at the best of times, managing client and court expectations, as well as the factual and legal issues involved in each case. Recently, protecting the very safety of the advocate, both physically and mentally, has become increasingly fraught. It is now necessary for many court lawyers to have the knowledge and skill to de-escalate challenging situations. Whether you are a criminal, family or civil barrister, drawing on effective, evidence-based tools is vital when presented with someone who may be agitated, aggressive, or mentally unwell. This session is intended to provide practical advice on how to keep yourself and others safe.

9:45am

Jurisdictional journeys – FMV v TZB

The landmark Supreme Court decision in FMV v TZB saw a seismic shift in the boundary between the ordinary civil and specialist employment jurisdictions. Tort claims previously seen as a matter for the High Court must be brought exclusively in the Employment Relations Authority, so long as the dispute could be framed as an employment relationship problem.

The implications are immense. Quandaries are everywhere. Conundrums abound. Come and hear from the experts how to chart your way through the terrain.