CPD Points: 1
Starts: 5:00pm Tuesday, 16 Jun 2026
Ends: 6:00pm Tuesday, 16 Jun 2026
Location: Online
View MapGroup Ticket 10-15: $650.00
Group Ticket 3-4: $250.00
Group Ticket 5-9: $400.00
Member ticket: $0.00 Members free
Non-member ticket: $85.00
Mediation and Judicial Settlement Conferences are now central features of family law practice. Success in these forums depends not only on knowing the law, but on careful preparation, strategic judgment, and an understanding of how settlement processes operate in the Family Court.
This webinar, presented by experienced practitioners Samantha Wilson, Stephanie Ambler and chaired by Hon Rhys Harrison KC, will provide guidance on how to prepare effectively for both mediation and Judicial Settlement Conferences in family proceedings. It will explore the distinct purposes of each process, what judges and mediators expect from counsel, and how to best position your client for meaningful and durable resolution.
The presentation will include Judicial Settlement Conferences in the High Court as well as the Family Court as the High Court is a common forum for Trust litigation and Estate litigation which are now staples for Family Law practitioners.
Drawing on experience from Family Court practice, the session will address pre‑conference preparation, advocacy strategies, and common pitfalls that can undermine settlement prospects.
Particular attention will be paid to the Family Court’s less adversarial environment and the professional obligations on counsel when negotiating outcomes in emotionally charged and high‑stakes disputes.
This webinar is designed to equip practitioners with clear, practical guidance they can apply immediately in their family law practice. The presentation is aimed at Junior and Intermediate practitioners, as well as those unfamiliar with this area of practice but wishing to learn best practice tips for mediation and Judicial Settlement Conferences in family law proceedings. It is also suitable for those looking for a refresher.
Key Topics Covered
- The role and purpose of mediation and Judicial Settlement Conferences in family proceedings
- Preparing your case: documents, memoranda, and strategic positioning
- Understanding judicial and mediator expectations
- Managing client expectations and instructions in a settlement context
- Advocacy techniques suited to the Family Court’s settlement processes
- Ethical and professional considerations in settlement negotiations
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Learning Outcomes
Participants will leave the webinar with:
- A clear framework for preparing for mediation and Judicial Settlement Conferences
- Practical strategies to improve settlement outcomes
- Greater confidence in navigating Family Court settlement processes
Event Speakers
The Honourable Rhys Harrison KC (Chair)
The Honourable Rhys Harrison KC retired as a judge of the New Zealand Court of Appeal in February 2018 when he returned to professional practice and has since worked as an arbitrator and mediator.
Rhys was appointed to the Court of Appeal in June 2010 after serving as a judge of the High Court in Auckland from November 2001. In that capacity he exercised a general jurisdiction, and was a Commercial List Judge for four years. He also conducted over 30 judicial settlement conferences.
Rhys practised as a barrister in Auckland specialising in civil and commercial litigation and was appointed a Queens Counsel in 1994. He appeared as counsel on many occasions in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Privy Council in London. He represented parties in two major commissions of inquiry and in a number of arbitrations. He also acted as legal counsel for medical and dental disciplinary tribunals and prosecuted cases for the Serious Fraud Office.
Rhys is also a member of the Courts of Appeal of Samoa and Tonga.
The Honourable Rhys Harrison KC retired as a judge of the New Zealand Court of Appeal in February 2018 when he returned to professional practice and has since worked as an arbitrator and mediator.
Rhys was appointed to the Court of Appeal in June 2010 after serving as a judge of the High Court in Auckland from November 2001. In that capacity he exercised a general jurisdiction, and was a Commercial List Judge for four years. He also conducted over 30 judicial settlement conferences.
Rhys practised as a barrister in Auckland specialising in civil and commercial litigation and was appointed a Queens Counsel in 1994. He appeared as counsel on many occasions in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Privy Council in London. He represented parties in two major commissions of inquiry and in a number of arbitrations. He also acted as legal counsel for medical and dental disciplinary tribunals and prosecuted cases for the Serious Fraud Office.
Rhys is also a member of the Courts of Appeal of Samoa and Tonga.
Stephanie Ambler
Stephanie Ambler is an experienced family lawyer who specialises in relationship property disputes.
Stephanie graduated from Auckland University in 1999 and has practiced exclusively in family law since her admission as a barrister and solicitor in May 2000. Before joining Riverbank Chambers in 2026 Stephanie was a partner at Tompkins Wake Lawyers for 11 years, where she headed the family law team.
With a love of case law and legal developments, Stephanie is regularly asked to present at seminars.
She has been recognised as one of New Zealand’s preeminent family lawyers in the Doyle’s guide, is a recommend lawyer in dispute resolution in the Legal 500 and has been named as a leading authority in family law by Best Lawyers.
Stephanie’s clients value her calm demeanour, detailed, but efficient approach and strategic thinking.
Stephanie is an elected member of the New Zealand Law Society Family Law Section Executive Committee.
Stephanie Ambler is an experienced family lawyer who specialises in relationship property disputes.
Stephanie graduated from Auckland University in 1999 and has practiced exclusively in family law since her admission as a barrister and solicitor in May 2000. Before joining Riverbank Chambers in 2026 Stephanie was a partner at Tompkins Wake Lawyers for 11 years, where she headed the family law team.
With a love of case law and legal developments, Stephanie is regularly asked to present at seminars.
She has been recognised as one of New Zealand’s preeminent family lawyers in the Doyle’s guide, is a recommend lawyer in dispute resolution in the Legal 500 and has been named as a leading authority in family law by Best Lawyers.
Stephanie’s clients value her calm demeanour, detailed, but efficient approach and strategic thinking.
Stephanie is an elected member of the New Zealand Law Society Family Law Section Executive Committee.
Samantha Wilson
Sam specialises in family law. She acts for clients in a wide range of disputes, and has particular expertise in complex relationship property claims, spousal maintenance and trusts disputes. She is also experienced in care of children matters, including Hague Convention proceedings.
She appears regularly in the Family Court and High Court, as well as representing clients in mediations. She has appeared as junior counsel in both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Sam practises from Shortland Chambers. Prior to that, she practised as an employed barrister following her move from London, where she was an associate in the commercial litigation and international arbitration team at Joseph Hage Aaronson LLP. In that role, she acted for clients across a broad range of commercial and investment treaty disputes.
Sam is also a regular presenter of seminars for the legal profession.
Sam specialises in family law. She acts for clients in a wide range of disputes, and has particular expertise in complex relationship property claims, spousal maintenance and trusts disputes. She is also experienced in care of children matters, including Hague Convention proceedings.
She appears regularly in the Family Court and High Court, as well as representing clients in mediations. She has appeared as junior counsel in both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Sam practises from Shortland Chambers. Prior to that, she practised as an employed barrister following her move from London, where she was an associate in the commercial litigation and international arbitration team at Joseph Hage Aaronson LLP. In that role, she acted for clients across a broad range of commercial and investment treaty disputes.
Sam is also a regular presenter of seminars for the legal profession.