Led by Ben Keith, a Wellington barrister and specialist in administrative law and procedure, this workshop will cover the important legal framework for effective government decision-making: making sure that decision-makers act fairly, understand their powers and have the evidence that they need, plus what to do when things go wrong.
3:45pm to 5:00pm Information Handling, Decision Documentation, and Addressing Challenges
- Gathering, using and disclosing relevant information
- Making and documenting decisions, including natural justice requirements
- When things do or might go wrong
Presented by Ben Keith, Barrister, Woodward Street
2:15pm to 3:30pm Foundations of Effective Decision-Making and Legal Frameworks
- What it means to make effective decisions, include evidence-based decision-making
- Getting the legal framework right: what law applies; who decides; and how
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD hours
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the legal framework underpinning decision making
- Consider the wider context that affects decision making
- Develop strategies to ensure fairness and avoid actual or apparent conflicts or bias
- Receive valuable practical guidance on decision making tools
- Benefit from an understanding of the use of information
- Learn how to anticipate and respond to the prospect of a complaint, challenge or wider criticism
3.30pm to 3.45pm Afternoon Break
Presenters
Ben Keith, Barrister, Woodward Street Chambers
Ben Keith is a barrister at Woodward Street Chambers, Wellington, principally practising in administrative, human rights and public international law. He has previously worked as a specialist Crown Counsel with the New Zealand Crown Law Office and was also the first Deputy Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Ben has conducted proceedings at all levels of the New Zealand court system, including matters before the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Privy Council and the Waitangi Tribunal, as well as in a number of other jurisdictions and before United Nations fora. Significant public matters include precedent decisions in administrative and constitutional law; human rights; national security; public and private international law; and regulatory/investigatory powers, as well as numerous published legal opinions and other work. His voluntary professional activities include regular substantial pro bono matters and past membership of New Zealand Law Society law reform committees and other bodies.
