From the latest cases defining compensation, disclosure and specific performance to the drafting and resolution of disputes involving easements and covenants, this Conference will deliver you the insights that matter most. Gain practical guidance on foreign investment and tax developments - including bright-line and interest deductibility changes - learn how to work effectively with valuers, surveyors, and other experts, and ensure your practice aligns with evolving AML/CFT compliance requirements. A full day of legal updates, case law and strategies to strengthen every transaction.

Presenters

Thomas Gibbons, Director, Thomas Gibbons Law
Thomas is a property law specialist. He began his career with a national law firm and was Partner/Director of a regional firm before setting up his own practice in 2020. He is the author of Unit Titles Law and Practice (1st ed, 2011, 2nd ed, 2015), and A Practical Guide to the Land Transfer Act (2017), as well as co-author of the Laws of New Zealand titles on Land Law and Easements, Covenants, and Profits. He has lectured in property law at various universities, and in securities law for LLB and MBA programmes. His articles have been published in New Zealand and overseas law journals. Thomas has given expert evidence on land development issues in the High Court and is currently lead drafter on the ADLS-REINZ Agreement for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate. He is also a trustee of the Waikato Housing Initiative and the Waikato Community Lands Trust.

Neil Russ, Director, Russ & Associates
Neil founded Russ + Associates in 2019 as a group of senior lawyers specialising in tax and AML/CFT advice. Neil has over 35 years’ experience in England and New Zealand, including 25 years as a tax partner in a national law firm. Russ + Associates regularly works with its corporate clients, other law firms and accounting practices to meet their income tax, GST and AML/CFT needs, including tax investigations, binding and non-binding ruling applications, tax risk reviews, AML/CFT ministerial exemptions, suspicious activity reports and audits. Neil specialises in corporate and international income tax and GST issues, as well as transactional advice. In addition to his tax expertise Neil has a multi-jurisdictional background in banking, capital markets and derivatives transactions. Neil is Convenor of the NZ Law Society Tax Law Committee, a member of the AML/CFT Industry Advisory Group and co-author of AML/CFT in New Zealand – A Handbook for Lawyers and Accountants, He is a member of the International Fiscal Association and the Inter-Pacific Bar Association. He frequently deals with Inland Revenue and Treasury officials on matters of tax policy and interpretation, and with DIA and Ministry of Justice officials on AML/CFT issues.

Joe Biddles, Director, TBB Legal
Joe Biddles is a specialist commercial property and real estate lawyer and a director of boutique law firm Thompson Blackie Biddles. Prior to this Joe worked at Russell McVeagh and formerly was the New Zealand Legal Counsel of Lion. Joe acts for a number of corporate and institutional clients and his practice covers all areas of commercial property including acquisitions and disposals, commercial leasing, developments, joint ventures and overseas investments in New Zealand.

Nick Kearney, Director, Shore Legal Limited t/a Jim Thompson Law
Nick has been in practice for two decades, and graduated with his Master of Laws in 2017, where he wrote a thesis on the role caveat emptor plays in real estate transactions, particularly following the introduction of the Real Estate Agents Act 2008. He takes a particular interest in the law around the role real estate agents play in property transactions and advises a range of parties - vendors, purchasers and agents - on their rights and obligations under the Act, and in related areas. He has acted for a large residential developer of sections for many years and is well versed in the technicalities and nuances of subdivisions.

Denise Marsden, Director, Alexander Dorrington Limited
Denise is a leading expert in property law. She has a wealth of knowledge complemented by a true passion for property and people. She is smart, pragmatic and sensible and focuses on outcomes for her clients. Denise has been a director at AlexanderDorrington since 2007. She enjoys leading her team to deliver successful projects and outcomes. Recent Projects: Residential developments including 7 stage 600 lots and 5 stage 300 lots, Redevelopment of mixed use building to enable retail to be converted to residential units and sold, Sale and purchase of commercial properties including industrial, retail and office, Leasing and property advice for a national retailer with 21 stores in New Zealand, CORT Community Housing joint venture with ACC and development programme, Development programme for NZ Living which to date has delivered 287 apartments at Otahuhu, Onehunga and Northcote and 204 under development in Tamaki and Northcote, Hotel acquisitions in Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Auckland and assisting with all legal issues for this accommodation manager with over 500 rooms under management across 13 properties nationally, NZS3910 and NZS3916 Contracts for apartments, industrial buildings.

Tim Rainey, Barrister, FortyEight Shortland Barristers
Tim Rainey is a specialist commercial litigator who was admitted to the bar in 1992. Since then, Tim has gained extensive experience in all aspects of commercial and civil litigation. He is a highly skilled litigator with over 16 years experience in trial and Appellate Courts and specialist tribunals throughout New Zealand, as well as extensive experience in conducting mediations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Tim formed Rainey Law in 2009 after several years as a Partner in one of New Zealand's leading commercial and construction litigation firms and prior to that, many years experience working for a specialist insurance litigation firm.

Phil Comer, Technical Director, Planning, Harrison Grierson
Technically speaking, Phil brings an abundance of know-how to the Harrison Grierson team, with over 25 years’ planning experience both here and in the UK. In his demanding role he’s usually on the move and involved with everything from resource consents to strategic planning and land development on complex residential, commercial and industrial projects. He also leads spatial planning projects to rezone land by way of structure plan and plan change processes. Little wonder, then, that Phil relishes the diversity of what he does on a daily basis. “What I love about HG is the range of work, the superb clients that we have, and the great people,” he says. Phil has also managed a number of multidisciplinary projects, and been an expert witness in Council hearings, in the Environment Court and the High Court. In his personal life, Phil is a big fan of the outdoors. He loves tramping and fitting in a round of golf when he can. He also has a passion for cooking – accompanied by a decent beer or wine, of course.

Carla Cross, Specialist Tax Advisor, Lexicon Legal Limited
Carla is a tax and trust law specialist. She advises clients in relation to their business tax planning, as well as their personal asset planning. In recent times Carla has been working for mid-tier advisory practices. Prior to this Carla was the business unit lead for Private Client Services in New Zealand with EY, where she advised high net worth individuals and managed their tax and trust affairs. Carla has held various tax advisory and legal roles. Carla has a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Procurationis from the University of Port Elizabeth as well as a Masters in Taxation Studies from the University of Auckland. She has been admitted to the Bar in New Zealand and South Africa, is a full member of the global Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), and a member of the CAANZ Special Interest Group for Trusts. Currently Carla is a senior technical content manager for Wolters Kluwer in New Zealand.

Richard Little, Partner, Eagles, Eagles and Redpath Barristers and Solicitors
Richard enjoys working in many different areas of the law specialising in conveyancing, civil and private law (wills, trusts etc). He has a particular interest in mental health law and regularly appears in mental health proceedings in his current role as the District Inspector for Mental Health in Southland. He regularly appears on behalf of clients in the criminal court and is always available for agency instructions particularly in the High Court. He is currently testing the capabilities of online Legal Services and is actively seeking new instructions from clients everywhere. Richard was raised in Southland, living across the district and attending Southland Boys High School before attending Otago University. He then returned home to work with Eagles, Eagles and Redpath in 2010. He spent a year in Europe in 2014 before returning to concentrate on his career in law. Both socially and competitively, Richard is active in the sporting community. He currently plays for the Invercargill Blues Rugby Club and enjoys social netball, squash and running whenever he can fit it in.

Darryl Martin, Technical Director, Harrison Grierson
Based out of our Auckland head office, Darryl’s reputation speaks for itself. With over 35 years’ experience in the industry, his knowledge of subdivision project management is unparalleled, but his roles within Harrison Grierson extend way beyond his day-to-day expertise. As a Survey technical leader, Darryl takes a prime role advising and assisting our project managers on a wide range of projects, he also continues management of the recent Hobsonville Point development west of Auckland which he has been extensively involved with over the past 13 years. He also excels in everything from proposal and tender inputs, safety and business development – as well as mentoring the constant influx of HG graduates. In short, Darryl is a go-to maestro – yet humble with it – and relishes his position within the company. “What really stands out to me is the great team we have, always looking to support each other. And the way HG has adapted to new technology enabling us to keep forging ahead of the field.” Darryl is a Technical Director at Harrison Grierson, and member of the NZ Institute of Surveyors. He’s also a guest lecturer at Otago University and highly respected conference speaker.