Delve into complex drink driving and licensing issues with the country’s top traffic law specialists as they unravel New Zealand’s traffic law offences and possible defences. Benefit from expert guidance, from the defence and prosecution, who will share valuable insights on EBA judge-alone trials and options after a driver licence charge, alongside case and legislation updates.

Presenters

Lucie Scott, Defence Barrister, Quay Legal
Lucie Scott is a criminal defence barrister based in Wellington with over 15 years’ experience in criminal law. Her passion is securing a discharge without conviction for her clients while also managing a busy jury trial caseload. She practices across all local courts, has PAL 4 Legal Aid approval, and regularly appears in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Lucie recently appeared on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association New Zealand (CBANZ) as intervenor in the Supreme Court in relation to finite sentences for murder. Lucie is committed to contributing to the profession teaching for the NZLS Duty Lawyer program, lecturing for the College of Law, and mentoring young practitioners. She is an elected executive member of the CBANZ and represents her local criminal bar in meetings with key stakeholders within the courts. Her community initiatives, such as the Wellington District Court Community Pantry, represents her dedication to assisting clients beyond the court room.


Allan Tobeck, Barrister
Allan Tobeck was admitted to the Bar in 1999 and has had a strong traffic practice since then. He has appeared for defendants in courts at all levels on drink driving matters and in courts from Kaitaia to Invercargill. He regularly appears as Defence Counsel for defendants charged with drink driving offences and he also assists other Defence Counsel doing the same. Whilst currently based in Southland, he regularly appears in courts nationally and maintains a strong interest in drink-driving defences.


Steven Cullen, Barrister, Albion Chambers
Steve Cullen has been practising in the fields of Criminal and Traffic law for the past 30 years. He has served as a member of various Auckland District Law Society subcommittees, has been a past committee member of the Criminal Bar Association, and has presented webinars in relation to Drink Drive legislation and Limited Licence Applications on behalf of the Auckland District Law Society., Steve is regularly contacted by national media for comment and input on matters of Criminal and Traffic law. He has appeared on both radio and television and is a regular guest commentator on National Radio.


Rupert Ward, Barrister
Rupert Ward LLB BA (Hons) has a broad barristerial practice in Christchurch that encapsulates criminal, mental health, civil, and immigration law. Rupert first worked for Kensington Swan in Wellington in Litigation before moving to work for several years in London. He attended regularly in the Royal Courts of Justice. Rupert has an interest in advocacy and in business. He set up a ground-breaking business in Europe in 1993, specialising in immigration that was a world leader in immigration for many years, with offices in Paris, London, Amsterdam, Moscow etc. Rupert was a trade development officer for the Queensland Government and was on the board of Australian Business in Europe. He worked for Tradenz and Austrade in Europe before returning to New Zealand in 2001. Rupert now practices heavily in Immigration and finds that the interface between his interest in business and his legal experience in immigration, criminal, and mental health practice results in him handling many deportation and character centred immigration cases. He has had numerous successful hearings at the Immigration and Protection Tribunal and district court level and regularly appears in the High Court.


Zoe Reid, Barrister
Zoe has been practising law since 2007, having studied at the University of Auckland where she obtained a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (majoring in psychology and sociology) and then commencing her career at a corporate law firm. In 2009 the pull to step out from behind a desk and engage more with members of her community led to Zoe joining Chris Reid’s well-established criminal law practice. Zoe was delighted to get the opportunity to work alongside her father and learn his trade! In 2011, Zoe became the principal of the practice and Chris has worked as a consultant ever since. For more than 10 years Zoe has focused her practice solely on drink drive and traffic law. As a specialist drink drive and traffic lawyer, Zoe has extensive experience appearing on such matters in the District Court, including successfully taking matters on appeal to the High Court. Zoe has presented seminars on drink drive law to other law practitioners and is also instructed by other practitioners to provide written advice on the topic, often appearing on their behalf as counsel at court.