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.

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.

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.

Fiona Hall, Barrister, Fiona Hall Barrister
Fiona Hall is a barrister and solicitor specialising in consumer credit, AML/CFT and privacy law. After her admission to the bar in 1987, Fiona initially practised general commercial litigation and banking law at large law firms in both Auckland and London, before moving in-house. Her in-house counsel roles covered a number of credit and credit related businesses as well as for a government regulator. Fiona has extensive practical commercial experience that complements her legal expertise, having acted as the head of compliance and both privacy officer and AML compliance officer in conjunction with her legal roles. Fiona has developed and implemented a number of AML/CFT programmes and now advises reporting entities on their AML/CFT obligations. Fiona was an invited speaker at the annual NZ Police FIU AML/CFT conference in 2015, and more recently has spoken at the AML Summit (Auckland, March 2017), the Infinity Law Conference (Wellington, May 2017) and co-presented the ADLS webinar "Anti-Money Laundering for Lawyers" (May, 2017). She is a member of the ADLS sub-committee on AML/CFT. Fiona brings the knowledge gained as a member of the leadership teams in the businesses she has advised together with her experience working for a regulator enforcing consumer legislation, to offer comprehensive advice in her areas of expertise. In particular, Fiona recognises the impact and significance that regulatory compliance obligations can have on a business and the need for robust yet commercially sustainable processes to meet them. In addition to advising on how to meet these obligations, Fiona can also advise when businesses are facing regulatory enforcement action.


Tina Hwang, Director, Queen City Law
Tina Hwang is a Director at Queen City Law and leads the firm’s Property & Disputes Team. She is also the Convenor of The Law Association of New Zealand Property Law Committee, and serves on both the Property Disputes Committee and the Civil Litigation Committee. Tina’s practice spans property, construction, and litigation, underpinned by broad experience across commercial, employment, and general practice matters. She regularly advises on some of New Zealand’s largest property development projects and has developed strong expertise in construction law, frequently chairing and presenting at conferences, seminars, and webinars on construction, property, contract, and employment issues. She is a regular contributor to the Builders & Contractors magazine and is often invited to speak to banks, real estate professionals, and industry groups. Client-focused and pragmatic, Tina also acts in employment law disputes for both employers and employees, guiding clients through mediations and settlements with efficiency and care. Tina appears regularly in tribunals, authorities, and all levels of court. Her advocacy includes notable successes ranging from complex commercial disputes to saving dogs from destruction orders — with cases reaching the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Known for her clear communication, responsiveness, and practical problem-solving, Tina is valued by her clients as both a trusted advisor and an effective advocate.