Introduction to Relationship Property Law Advocacy and Practice
A two-day education seminar to be delivered in November 2023 aimed at enhancing access to legal representation for separated people who have assets of modest value and are in need of assistance to divide those assets at the end of their relationship.
About the project
The project team (two Family Court judges and two family law practitioners) have observed a gap between the need for legal representation when former partners are dividing their property upon separation and the capacity of legal practitioners to meet that need. This is especially so when the property pool is of low or medium net worth. Difficulties are compounded when there are multiple matters to resolve (for example division of property, care of children, child support) if people have to engage different lawyers for different aspects of issues arising from their separation.
The seminar is intended as an opportunity for family law practitioners of limited experience in relationship property work to develop their knowledge and skill in the work and in the practicalities of sustaining representation for clients of limited means, including clients who are legally aided. It will focus first on the foundations and operation of the statutory scheme and secondly, upon employing those foundations as the touchstone for resolving their clients’ actual difficulties – simple or complex.
Grant amount
$9,700 for work in 2023
About the team
The seminar is being created and delivered by the collaboration of Judge Emma Smith (Dunedin Family Court), Judge Sharyn Otene (Manukau Family Court) and family law practitioners Jo Attfield (South Auckland) and Alex Ashmore (Auckland).