Gain practical strategies for working within the parameters of the Sentencing Reform (Amendment) Act 2025. With the Sentencing Reform now in force now is the critical time to prepare. This focused one-hour session offers a clear, practical rundown of the key changes — including the reinstated Three Strikes regime – plus the implications and the strategies you will need. These practical insights will be delivered from both prosecution and defence perspectives, giving you the tools to respond with confidence before you're on your feet.
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD hour
Chair:
Fiona Culliney, Partner, Meredith Connell
1.30pm to 2.30pm Sentencing Reform 2025: What it Means for Practice
- Impact of the Sentencing Reform Amendment Act 2025 on mitigating and aggravating factors
- The sliding scale for early guilty pleas: the pros and cons for both the prosecution and defence
- Reinstatement of the three-strikes law: examining its impact on serious offenders
- Youth
- Judges obligation under the sentencing act to impose the least restrictive
Presented by Marie Taylor-Cyphers, Verus Chambers
Learning Objectives
- Understand and navigate the new sentencing framework and its impact on mitigation and pleas
- Gain strategies to respond to the limitations on sentence discounts, especially for young offenders, and the reinstated Three Strikes regime
- Manage sentencing strategy effectively in light of changing judicial obligations and evolving case law
Presenters
Fiona Culliney, Partner, Meredith Connell
Fiona prosecutes serious sexual violence cases, homicide, large-scale drug operations and financial crime. She has the innate ability to work compassionately alongside victims of crime. Fiona has trial experience related to commercial drug offending and associated money laundering, and brings forfeiture proceedings under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009. She also provides litigation for and advice to the Commerce Commission in respect of criminal cartel conduct. She appears on behalf of the Crown in appeals to the High Court and the Court of Appeal, and has further interest and expertise in extradition proceedings for other governments in the New Zealand courts.
Marie Taylor-Cyphers, Barrister, Verus Chambers
Marie has been working in law since 2007. From the beginning, Marie has worked with top operators including David Tait KC in Brisbane, and Len Andersen KC in Dunedin, past president of the New Zealand Criminal Bar Association. More recently, Marie worked with her Honour Judge Maria Pecotic, and has taken over Verus Chambers from her. Since commencing practice Marie has represented people charged with a wide range of offences ranging from first time offenders seeking diversion, to people facing the most serious charges including methamphetamine and murder. She retrained in law (2011-13) having worked in marketing and business strategy, including for PwC. She has a thorough understanding of financial and commercial transactions which is a strong advantage in defending allegations of organised crime, money laundering, and importation. Marie is pragmatic and strong in court. She leaves no stone unturned in the fight to secure for you the best possible outcome. An instructing solicitor is required when engaging the services of a barrister. However, you may contact Marie directly in the first instance, and she will help you make the appropriate arrangements.
