CPD On Demand: Recorded Webinars

Sophie Lindsay*

We’ve had another full calendar year with excellent speakers across New Zealand and Australia, and insightful webinars covering a wide range of pertinent topics from fine-tuning expert evidence to AI for barristers. Recordings of our webinars are available to download - free to members through our on-demand platform. Links to each are provided below.

Social media for barristers (1 hour)

“Great presentation with excellent presenters, practical topic and some tips for even an experienced LinkedIn user.”

Michael Heron KC (Chair) and presenters Jane Needham SC and Sophie Lindsay provide key insights into how you can use social media to your best advantage. Watch here

Life cycle of an ERA application from lodgement to determination (1.5 hours)

In this practical session, Chair and employment law specialist Geoff Davenport, speaks with Employment Relation Authority members Marija Urlich and David Beck about lodging ERA applications. Watch here

AI for barristers (1.5 hours)

Dr James Every-Palmer KC, Greg Dickason and Felix Geiringer clarify the concept of AI, and how it can (and cannot) be used by barristers to assist in your practice. They discuss what AI is and how it works, what LexisNexis are doing to make it reliable, the shortcomings of AI for legal research, how to make use of AI while avoiding the pitfalls, and some AI tools available to lawyers. Click to access

Disciplinary complaints – how to act and respond (1.5 hours)

Presenters Sara Cameron and Chris Morris of CM Associates, alongside Chair, Garry Williams KC, of Richmond Chambers, discuss what you can do in the event of receiving a professional complaint against you or a practitioner you represent. Watch here

Criminal disclosure – how to get it right (1.5 hours)

“This was the best seminar I have been to in a long time and I really want to ensure all of our kaimahi are across disclosure issues that arise in applications to the CCRC.”

James Rapley KC (Chair) and panellists Robin McCoubrey, Phil Shamy KC and Christopher Stevenson KC consider the challenges of criminal disclosure and the best ways to navigate this aspect of your trial. Click to access

How to question witnesses facing barriers to giving evidence (1 hour)

Chair Kerryn Beaton KC and panellists Coroner Ruth Thomas, Anne Toohey KC and Kingi Snelgar shared their experience and knowledge of effective ways to gather evidence from witnesses who experience barriers or challenges in giving evidence. Access it here

Commercial mediation – learn from the best –observations from Geoff Sharp, international mediator (1 hour)

“That was terrific. [The presenter] was fantastic.” Rachel Burt interviews one of New Zealand’s leading commercial and international mediators, Geoff Sharp, about the untapped potential of mediation and how barristers might extend and adapt their skills for the forum. Watch here

Judicial directions to a jury – including the new ‘misconceptions’ directions (1.5 hours)

Chair Katie Hogan and panellists Nicolette Levy KC, Sam Wimsett KC, and Rob Stevens offer valuable insights and guidance on effectively navigating the ‘judicial directions’ stage of a criminal trial. An excellent refresher on all judicial directions for criminal trial lawyers at all levels. Watch here

Understanding the role of the prosecutor (1.5 hours)

Iswari Jayanandan (Chair) and panellists Richard Marchant and Charlotte Brook provide important background and tips around the role of the prosecutor. Topics considered include how one decides when to prosecute, what the focus should be, when do you defer to the instructing party, and more. This recorded webinar is designed for both prosecution and defence counsel. Click to access

Fine-tuning expert evidence – recent trends and developments (1.5 hours)

Hon. Justice Cooke, Stephen Hunter KC, and Stephanie Grieve KC (Chair), cover key topics in this webinar on how to select the right expert and how to prepare for cross-examination. You’ll gain greater confidence and understanding in using expert witnesses to advance your client’s case. Click to access

Navigating cases in different jurisdictions (1.5 hours)

Presented by Jack Wass and chaired by Mike Lennard, this webinar explores how New Zealand courts deal with disputes that have a cross-border dimension (private international law or conflict of laws) and uses a hypothetical case study and recent case law to discuss: jurisdiction and what court a dispute will be heard in, what law will apply, and how the court deals with domestic statutes in a cross-border context, and when foreign judgments will be enforceable in New Zealand. Click to access

Advocacy in the RMA jurisdiction (1.5 hours)

Her Honour Judge Prudence Steven KC from the Environment Court, and barristers Sarah Shaw (RMA Hearings Commissioner), Martin Williams, and Bronwyn Carruthers KC (Chair), outline some key facets of the Resource Management Act and the best way to advocate in this jurisdiction. This presentation is particularly useful to practitioners who are establishing their practice or interested in establishing a practice in this specialised jurisdiction. Watch here

Pleadings matter (CPD 1.5 hrs)

Expert panellists Sarah Armstrong KC, Charlotte Griffin, Brent O'Callahan, and Chair Stephen Mills KC discuss how effective pleadings serve as your first opportunity to persuade and influence the fact-finder's perception of your client’s situation. An excellent training for all barristers, regardless of experience. Access the recording here