CPD Points: 1
Starts: 5:00pm Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Ends: 6:00pm Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Location: Online
View MapGroup Pricing 10-15 : $650.00
Group Pricing 3-4: $250.00
Group Pricing 5-9: $400.00
Members Ticket: $0.00 Members Free
Non-Member Ticket : $85.00
Affidavit evidence plays a decisive role in family law proceedings, including care of children disputes, relationship property claims, protection orders and interim applications. Yet affidavits in the Family Court are often criticised for straying into argument, opinion, hearsay or inadmissible material, undermining both credibility and outcomes.
This webinar brings together three expert presenters to examine the legal, evidential and ethical obligations involved in drafting affidavits in family law matters, with a particular focus on the Evidence Act and Family Court expectations.
The presenters will explore:
- The drafter’s professional and ethical responsibilities in family law cases
- How the Evidence Act applies to affidavit evidence in the Family Court
- Managing hearsay, opinion, relevance and reliability in family law affidavits
- The boundary between evidence, narrative and advocacy
- Common drafting mistakes in family law affidavits—and how to avoid them
- Practical tips for drafting affidavits that assist the Court and withstand challenge
- Managing client’s expectations of the role of the affidavit and the need to respond
The session will be firmly grounded in practical family law experience, providing guidance that participants can apply immediately in their own 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 drafting affidavits for family
Event Speakers
Chris Dellabarca
Chris has been in practice since 1995. He worked in general practice for a number of years and has specialised exclusively in family law since 2007, when he moved to Wellington Family Law. Chris also spent several years teaching the Legal Professionals Course to budding lawyers. In 2018, Chris was appointed by the Minister of Justice to the Independent Panel which reviewed the 2014 reforms in the Family Court and was an author of Panels’ report, Te Korowai Ture a-Whānau, which was released in 2019. Chris is a senior lawyer for child, acts for subject persons in PPPR matters, as counsel to assist the Court and as counsel for the Central Authority. Chris enjoys physical exercise, cooking, gardening, and a good glass of red wine. His dog Tavi is a regular guest at his Chambers.
Chris has been in practice since 1995. He worked in general practice for a number of years and has specialised exclusively in family law since 2007, when he moved to Wellington Family Law. Chris also spent several years teaching the Legal Professionals Course to budding lawyers. In 2018, Chris was appointed by the Minister of Justice to the Independent Panel which reviewed the 2014 reforms in the Family Court and was an author of Panels’ report, Te Korowai Ture a-Whānau, which was released in 2019. Chris is a senior lawyer for child, acts for subject persons in PPPR matters, as counsel to assist the Court and as counsel for the Central Authority. Chris enjoys physical exercise, cooking, gardening, and a good glass of red wine. His dog Tavi is a regular guest at his Chambers.
Cara Gelston
Cara Gelston is a barrister based at Bank Chambers, specialising in family law and relationship property disputes. She has been in practise since 2001 and has worked both in NZ and qualified in the United Kingdom where she worked in the housing litigation field. Known for her empathetic, solutions focused approach, she advises clients on complex and often emotionally charged family matters. Cara is a senior lawyer for child, works in both estate and relationship property litigation in Court, and enjoys mentoring local lawyers. Ideally Cara would like to retire with her dogs and enjoy the Taranaki lifestyle… but there is something about Family law and helping people that keeps her soldiering on fighting the good fight.
Cara Gelston is a barrister based at Bank Chambers, specialising in family law and relationship property disputes. She has been in practise since 2001 and has worked both in NZ and qualified in the United Kingdom where she worked in the housing litigation field. Known for her empathetic, solutions focused approach, she advises clients on complex and often emotionally charged family matters. Cara is a senior lawyer for child, works in both estate and relationship property litigation in Court, and enjoys mentoring local lawyers. Ideally Cara would like to retire with her dogs and enjoy the Taranaki lifestyle… but there is something about Family law and helping people that keeps her soldiering on fighting the good fight.
Simon Jefferson KC (Chair)
Simon brings more than 33 years’ specialist experience in family law, with a career spanning senior partnership, independent bar practice, and extensive appellate advocacy. A King’s Counsel since 2013, Simon has appeared in the Family Court, High Court and Court of Appeal, with many of his cases reported. He is widely recognised for his expertise in evidence and procedure in the Family Court, has chaired national family law conferences, trained lawyers appointed to represent children, and is editor of the Practice and Procedure Manual. Simon is a highly experienced educator, having delivered numerous seminars and papers for the New Zealand Law Society and international conferences on topics including evidence, ethics, and family justice.
Before his recent retirement, Simon practised across all areas of family law, including care of children, relationship property, estate litigation, Hague Convention matters, and child support.
Simon brings more than 33 years’ specialist experience in family law, with a career spanning senior partnership, independent bar practice, and extensive appellate advocacy. A King’s Counsel since 2013, Simon has appeared in the Family Court, High Court and Court of Appeal, with many of his cases reported. He is widely recognised for his expertise in evidence and procedure in the Family Court, has chaired national family law conferences, trained lawyers appointed to represent children, and is editor of the Practice and Procedure Manual. Simon is a highly experienced educator, having delivered numerous seminars and papers for the New Zealand Law Society and international conferences on topics including evidence, ethics, and family justice.
Before his recent retirement, Simon practised across all areas of family law, including care of children, relationship property, estate litigation, Hague Convention matters, and child support.