Relationship property issues now appearing more often, becoming more complex. Manage these matters with greater confidence and examine the disputes that are now testing family law practitioners throughout New Zealand. Gain practical insights into s 15 economic disparity claims, cross-border assets and offshore trusts, intermingled separate property, blended family estate disputes and the growing challenge of tracing digital wealth. Work through current legal tests, evidential hurdles, remedy options and negotiation strategies with leading practitioners so you can better assess risk, advise strategically and progress complex matters with clarity.
Thursday, 12 November 2026
Description
Attend and earn 4 CPD Hours
9.00am to 9.50am Are We Close to Predictability? Measuring Disparity in s15 Payments and Resolving the Many Subjectivities
- Update on the legal test for s15 claims
- Comments on the predictability of assessments
- Worked examples: measuring disparity in different factual scenarios
- What are subjectivities and how are they addressed?
- Practical strategies for negotiating and resolving s15 claims
Presented by Nic Lawrence, Barrister, Bankside Chambers and Shrina Kaya, Associate Director, Moore Markhams Auckland
11.45am to 12.30pm Dealing with Competing Claims Against the Estate in the Era of Blended Families
- A case study of a blended family, working through the process step by step: identifying the assets, what the will or intestacy provides, and whether further provision is required
- Applying the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 on death: the surviving partner's choice between Option A and Option B, the effect of a s 21 agreement after Rimmer v Wilton, and the estate's s 88(2) leave application
- Applying the Family Protection Act 1955 to the competing claims of a surviving partner or spouse, minor children, adult children and stepchildren
- How the courts balance these competing entitlements, and practical lessons for advising and planning
Presented by David Abricossow, Partner and Jacqueline Bell, Senior Solicitor, JB Morrison Lawyers
11.30am to 11.45am Break
Chair:
Professor Mark Henaghan, University of Auckland; Co-author, Family Law in New Zealand and Family Law Policy in New Zealand, Routledge
10.40am to 11.30am When Separate Becomes Shared
- How separate property, including gifts and inheritance, and trust property can become subject to relationship property claims and what steps can be taken to trace intermingled property
- The role of s21 agreements and how they are currently being treated in the courts
Presented by Kate Bradley, Partner, Wynn Williams and Georgia Johnston, Senior Associate, Wynn Williams
Learning Objectives:
- Assess economic disparity claims under s 15
- Evaluate cross-border relationship property claims and remedies under ss 44 and 44C
- Apply tracing principles to separate, inherited and trust property
- Analyse competing estate and relationship property claims in blended families
- Identify strategies for tracing and recovering cryptocurrency and digital assets
9.50am to 10.40am Beyond New Zealand: Relationship Property Claims Involving Foreign Trusts and Foreign Assets
- Navigating relationship property claims involving offshore trusts, foreign assets and international families, including the practical challenges of tracing and recovering assets
- When and how ss 44 and 44C can provide effective remedies, and the evidential issues in establishing and quantifying loss
Presented by Harriet Quinlan, Special Counsel, Anthony Harper
12.30pm to 1.15pm Digital Assets and Tracing Modern Wealth: Getting Information Out of Offshore Crypto Exchanges
- Where blockchain tracing stops: why on-chain analysis works until funds reach a centralised exchange, and why the exchange's KYC records then become the only remaining source
- Whether our courts have jurisdiction over an offshore exchange
- The gap in our rules and the workaround
Presented by Jae Lee, PhD Candidate, University of Auckland
Presenters
Harriet Quinlan, Special Counsel, Anthony Harper
Harriet Quinlan is a commercial litigator specialising in complex trust, estate and relationship property disputes. She advises individuals, trustees and beneficiaries on contentious matters involving trusts and family wealth, bringing a commercial perspective to the challenges that arise when trust and relationship property issues intersect. Harriet has appeared in the Court of Appeal and regularly appears in the High Court and District Court. She also represents clients in multi-million dollar arbitrations and mediations, and has negotiated practical resolutions to complex relationship property and trust disputes. Known for her considered and pragmatic approach, Harriet combines technical expertise with a focus on achieving effective outcomes for her clients. She was recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Trusts and Estates Litigation in the 2026 New Zealand Doyle’s Guide.
Nic Lawrence, Barrister, Bankside Chambers
Nic has risen through the ranks of the New Zealand legal system with speed. After graduating in 2015 he was a senior associate in Wynn Williams’ dispute resolution team by 2019. After a year overseas he was back in New Zealand and junioring for Bob Hollyman KC and Jeremy Johnson at Shortland Chambers and Bankside Chambers respectively. In 2024 Nic became a member of Bankside Chambers and has continued to build on his reputation as one of New Zealand’s top young commercial barristers. Nic has considerable experience in Court, having been lead counsel on a number of multi-day trials in the High Court and Family Court. He is regularly instructed to act on complex, high value and contentious disputes at short notice with clients under considerable pressure to deliver. He excels when matters are difficult and a cool head is required. Nic’s strength is being able to drive his clients’ interests forward with purpose, creating opportunities and ensuring his clients are negotiating from a position of legal and strategic strength.
Kate Bradley, Partner, Wynn Williams
Kate is a Partner in the Relationship Property and Family Law team at Wynn Williams, based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. She specialises in complex relationship property, trust and estate disputes. Kate is a highly effective advocate with an impressive track record. Kate works closely with clients to navigate complex and sensitive family law issues and achieve the best possible outcomes through negotiation, mediation and, if necessary, litigation. She also advises clients looking to protect their assets prior to or during a relationship, offering pragmatic and forward-thinking solutions. Kate prides herself on providing clients with clear, empathetic and practical advice while they are going through challenging situations in their personal lives. She also regularly appears in the Family and High Courts across New Zealand. Kate was recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a Family & Relationship Property Rising Star (2023) and NZ Lawyer as a Future Legal Leader (2026).
Jae Lee, PhD Candidate, University of Auckland
Jae Lee is a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland's Faculty of Law. He holds an LLB (Hons) and an LLM (Hons). His doctoral research examines the intersection of family property law and digital assets.
Professor Mark Henaghan, University of Auckland
Mark Henaghan is a Professor of Law who has been researching and teaching all aspects of Family Law for just under 50 years .
Georgia Johnston, Senior Associate, Wynn Williams
Georgia is a Senior Associate in the Family Law team at Wynn Williams in Ōtautahi Christchurch. She advises on complex relationship property disputes, contracting out agreements, trust and estate matters, spousal maintenance, PPPR issues, and care of children and guardianship disputes. She brings strong technical expertise and calm, practical judgment to sensitive family law matters, including helping clients to protect property interests before or during relationships. Known for combining sharp legal acumen with genuine care, Georgia provides clear, compassionate advice and is focused on achieving outcomes that support her clients’ long-term interests. She is a member of the TLANZ Family Law Committee.
Shrina Kaya, Associate Director, Moore Markhams Auckland
Shrina Kaya is an Associate Director at Moore Markhams Auckland, a Chartered Accountant and a CA Business Valuation Specialist. She specialises in business valuations, Section 15 economic disparity assessments and litigation support. She works closely with lawyers, business owners and other advisers on complex relationship property, estate and commercial matters, providing clear and well-supported financial analysis. Her experience includes business valuations across a range of industries, economic disparity calculations, valuation reviews, financial due diligence and support through negotiations and mediations. Shrina is particularly skilled at translating complex accounting and valuation issues into practical, accessible advice that assists clients and their legal advisers to understand the financial evidence and make informed decisions.
David Abricossow, Partner, JB Morrison Lawyers
David Abricossow has considerable experience at all stages of the litigation process. His areas of specialty include relationship property, trust and estate disputes. He also has experience in commercial and property litigation. David has made numerous appearances in the High Court, District Court, and Family Court. He also has Court of Appeal, Tenancy Tribunal, and Disputes Tribunal advisory experience. David has experience with various types of alternative dispute resolution, including civil and family mediation, arbitration, and expert determination. David’s focus is on providing direct, practical and cost-efficient advice for his clients at all stages of the dispute resolution process. Outside the office, David is a trustee and co-chair of Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley, and is a current board member of Community Law Centres Aotearoa.
Jacqueline Bell, Senior Solicitor, JB Morrison Lawyers
Jacqueline is a family lawyer who advises and represents clients on separation, relationship property, asset protection, parenting, family violence and spousal maintenance. She has a particular interest in complex relationship property and trust matters, and in will disputes and other claims arising on death. She understands that these issues often arise at some of the most challenging times in a person’s life and is committed to providing pragmatic, supportive, and solutions focused advice. Jacqueline prioritises helping clients reach resolution outside of Court wherever possible, using effective alternative dispute resolution processes to achieve constructive and timely outcomes. Jacqueline takes a global, practical view of her clients’ affairs, combining technical expertise with sensitivity to deliver clear, cohesive solutions.
