Join this practical drafting session tailored for junior to intermediate litigators, focusing on three key areas: drafting effective correspondence (what to consider and watch for), structuring strong and effective pleadings (including claims, defences, counterclaims, and replies), and crafting how to draft written submissions that align with court expectations.

Presenters

Martin Dillon, Barrister, 109 Chambers
Martin began practising in 2007. He has worked in private practice, as in-house counsel and as a Crown Prosecutor. These roles have involved a range of clients and cases, from relatively minor disputes to large-scale litigation. He joined the independent bar in 2018. Access to justice is a particular concern: Martin is a legal aid provider, published CourtKeys.com and wrote Civil Litigation for Non-Lawyers.


Kishen Kommu, Barrister, FortyEight Shortland Chambers
Kishen Kommu is a barrister at FortyEight Shortland with broad experience in civil litigation and dispute resolution. He advises and represents clients in a wide range of contentious matters, including commercial, construction, property, insolvency and unit title disputes. Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2009, Kishen holds a BHSc/LLB from the University of Auckland. He began his advocacy career as a junior barrister working under a Queen’s Counsel and later gained experience across a broad range of disputes, including partnership and joint venture disputes, trust matters, contractual claims and coronial inquests. Kishen has appeared as sole and junior counsel before the Court of Appeal, High Court, District Court and various tribunals. Since commencing practice as a Barrister Sole in December 2021, he has continued to advise and represent clients across a broad range of civil and commercial litigation matters.


Jessica Phillips, Partner, Tompkins Wake
Jessica is a specialist commercial and regulatory litigator with particular experience in commercial, competition and property disputes. Jessica has acted for clients in a wide range of sectors including education, construction and sports administration, and is skilled in managing large-scale litigation. In addition to regular appearances in the District and High Courts, Jessica is experienced in resolving matters by way of arbitration. Prior to joining Tompkins Wake in 2024, Jessica was a senior associate at a large New Zealand law firm. Her overseas experience includes six years working in London, including at international firms Hausfeld and Clifford Chance.

Tom Pasley, Barrister & Solicitor
Tom is an experienced commercial and civil litigator who is regularly involved in the resolution of disputes through litigation, arbitration, mediation, and negotiation. He acts for private clients, insurers, and insureds and provides sound judgement and strategic advice on challenging legal matters. Tom’s practice focuses on contractual disputes, company and securities law, insurance, insolvency, banking and finance, professional negligence, trust disputes, regulatory litigation and investigations, and property disputes. Tom has also acted for clients in several of New Zealand’s largest class actions and is experienced working on large and complex multi-party disputes.