Advocacy in the RMA jurisdiction (CPD 1.5 hrs)
Counsel appearing in Resource Management cases require a particular set of advocacy skills. Join our webinar chair Bronwyn Carruthers KC and presenters, Her Honour Judge Prudence Steven KC from the Environment Court, and barristers Sarah Shaw (RMA Hearings Commissioner) and Martin Williams as they outline some key facets of the Resource Management Act and the best way to advocate in this jurisdiction.
This webinar will be particularly useful to practitioners who are establishing their practice or interested in establishing a practice in this specialised jurisdiction. Our presenters are very experienced in this area and hearing Judicial perspective will also be invaluable.
Learning objectives for this presentation may include:
- Advocacy with a specific focus on the RMA jurisdiction
- The role of advocates at each stage of the RMA process
- How to manage the Judges/Courts expectations
Please join us if you are keen to upskill in this space and learn more about this very distinct jurisdiction that is heavily reliant on expert opinion evidence.
Our Presenters
| Bronwyn Carruthers KC (Chair)Bronwyn has specialised in environmental, resource management and local government law since 2000. She started her career at Simpson Grierson, before joining Russell McVeagh in 2011 and becoming a partner in that firm's Environmental, Planning and Natural Resources team later that year. Bronwyn joined Shortland Chambers in December 2018. As a specialist resource management litigator, Bronwyn has advised on a wide range of Resource Management Act 1991 issues and has experience appearing at all levels of New Zealand's justice system. She has acted for local authorities, infrastructure providers, corporate clients, individuals and not for profit organisations. In addition to obtaining approval for client's projects (or objecting to others' projects), Bronwyn can also assist with law reform, plan making, judicial review, declarations, prosecutions and other enforcement action, and advice on the lawfulness or otherwise of certain situations, approaches or decisions. | |
Her Honour Judge Prudence Steven KCJudge Prudence Steven KC was sworn in as an Environment Judge and District Court Judge on 15 February 2021. Prior to appointment, her practice focused on resource management and local government/public law, including advising on irrigation proposals, water quality and quantity issues, hydroelectricity, mining, landscape and biodiversity issues, adventure tourism, coastal marine activities, retail, commercial and residential greenfield developments, heritage, forestry and infrastructure projects and appearing at all levels of the courts. Judge Steven was appointed the in-house legal counsel for the Christchurch City Council early in her career. She was a founding partner of the firm Goodman Steven Tavendale Reid in 2001 before becoming a barrister sole in Canterbury Chambers in 2008. She was made a Queen’s Counsel in 2014. | ||
Sarah ShawSarah has more than twenty years’ experience in public law and governance, environmental law and resource management, and local government. She has a particular specialism in the Resource Management Act 1991 and is an accredited RMA Hearings Commissioner A skilled advocate and formidable negotiator, Sarah also has considerable expertise in regulatory drafting and statutory interpretation. Sarah has extensive experience in RMA district and regional plan development on both sides of the table – both as sole counsel for council, and representing hapu and environmental and community interests – across council hearings, mediation and the Courts. She has an impressive track record of successfully and efficiently mediating solutions resulting in significant time and cost savings for her clients. Sarah also advises and acts on resource consent appeals and declaration proceedings. Sarah has an extensive pro bono and low bono practice, acting for hapu and environmental groups. Prior to moving to the Independent Bar in 2017, Sarah worked for nearly ten years at leading Northland law firm Thomson Wilson Law. | ||
Martin WilliamsMartin has nearly 30 experience practising in resource management and local government law with a particular interest and focus in his practice on climate change mitigation and adaption, as well as resource management system design. He has advised and represented a wide range of private and public sector clients including development proponents, Councils and community organisations at local authority and appeal hearings, appearing as counsel in a number of leading Environment and High Court cases as well as in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Martin is a former President of the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand (Inc) serving on the National Committee of that Association for nine years. He is an accredited Hearing Commissioner (Chair Certification) under the Ministry for the Environment Making Good Decisions programme. Martin was first elected to the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in 2019 and has served since that time as Chair of the Hearings and Regional Transport Committees. |
This webinar is free to members of the NZBA
Register using your NZBA email login to get the member price of $0.
Please Register below, visit your Cart, and follow all steps through to Place Order. If you have successfully registered, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to join the webinar. Please ensure you follow these to register on the Zoom platform and can therefore join on the day (or receive the recording, which will be available later).
If you have any problems, please contact us.
Contact Information
If you have trouble registering for this event or would like to take advantage of the group pricing, please contact the organiser
Related Events
Additional Information
This webinar is free to all members.
Group Pricing
Group pricing is available to non members as follows:
- 3-4 attendees - $200.00
- 5-9 attendees - $350.00
- 10-15 attendees - $470.00
- 16-30 attendees - $650.00
- 31-50 attendees - $850.00
- 51 plus attendees - price available on request
To take advantage of group pricing contact us