Strong drafting underpins every successful dispute. This practical session takes you through the skills that win matters, so you walk away with tools you can use straight away. You will learn how to draft clear, persuasive pleadings, defences and replies. Gain confidence managing disclosure, chronologies and bundles from disclosure to hearing, and discover how to use AI and review tools responsibly to save time without adding risk. Don’t miss your chance to strengthen your drafting and your matter management.
Thursday, 25 February 2027
4.15pm to 5.15pm Managing the Documentary Record: From Disclosure to Hearing
- Identifying and providing initial disclosure, including what has changed under the High Court Rules
- Drafting and responding to requests for further disclosure
- Building a reliable chronology and common bundle
- Using the documentary record for evidence and submissions
- Using AI and review tools responsibly for document review and drafting
Presented by Nicole Thompson, Partner, Dentons New Zealand; Rising Star – Restructuring and Insolvency, IFLR 1000 2026
2.00pm to 3.00pm Pleadings: Fundamentals for Drafting Clear and Persuasive Pleadings
- Preliminary steps: identifying the material facts required to establish or answer each cause of action
- Drafting claims, defences, counterclaims, affirmative defences and replies
- Procedural and substantive requirements
- Drafting tips and avoiding pleadings vulnerable to strike out applications
Presented by Kishen Kommu, Barrister, FortyEight Shortland Barristers
Chair:
Rob Latton, Barrister, FortyEight Shortland Barristers
4.00pm to 4.15pm Break
Description
Attend and earn 4 CPD Hours
3.00pm to 4.00pm Drafting Response Affidavits
- Draft clear, focused and persuasive response affidavits that directly address the evidence and issues raised by the other party
- Explore how to identify what requires a response, structure the affidavit effectively, deal with disputed evidence and avoid unnecessary or inadmissible material, with
- practical tips for producing concise and compelling affidavit evidence
Presented by Ben Prewett, Barrister & Arbitrator, Bankside Chambers
Learning Objectives:
- Draft clear and persuasive pleadings, defences and replies that avoid strike out applications
- Understand how to prepare focused response affidavits that address the other party’s evidence
- Manage disclosure, chronologies and bundles from disclosure to hearing
- Use AI and review tools responsibly in document review and drafting
Presenters
Rob Latton, Barrister, FortyEight Shortland BarristersRob Latton is a barrister practicing from 48 Shortland Barristers, Auckland. He is a practitioner with over 30 years’ experience in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Commencing practice as a barrister sole in 2016, Rob specializes in civil and commercial advice and litigation, and has been involved in extensive estates and trusts work in recent years. In particular, he has acted for many executors and trustees in claims alleging breaches of duty, as well as challenges to wills and general estate disputes, including Burgess & Another v Monk & Others (No. 6).
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.
Ben Prewett, Barrister & Arbitrator, Bankside Chambers
Ben Prewett is a barrister and arbitrator at Bankside Chambers in Auckland. He specialises in commercial litigation and international arbitration, with particular experience in disputes involving energy and natural resources, construction, insurance, mergers and acquisitions, and shareholders’ agreements. Before joining Bankside Chambers in 2020, Ben was a Senior Associate at Three Crowns LLP in London and Paris, where he acted in complex international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations conducted under the ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, ICSID and SCC Rules. Earlier in his career, he practised with specialist litigation and arbitration firm Gilbert Walker in Auckland. Ben holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Auckland and a Master of Laws from Stanford University, which he attended as a Fulbright Scholar. He has been recognised as a highly regarded lawyer by The Legal 500 and as a Future Leader in international arbitration by Who’s Who Legal.
Nicole Thompson, Partner, Dentons New Zealand
Nicole is a Partner in the dispute resolution team in Auckland, New Zealand. She has worked on a wide range of commercial disputes, including contract, property, construction and banking disputes. She also has experience with insolvency matters. Nicole has over 10 years’ experience in litigation and dispute resolution. She has worked on a wide range of commercial disputes, including contract, property, construction and banking disputes. She also has experience with contentious insolvency matters. Prior to joining Dentons, Nicole worked at another national law firm in New Zealand, and as in-house legal counsel for a bank in the United Kingdom. Nicole was recognised as a NZ Lawyer Rising Star in 2024.
