The Law Down Under Podcast

E14 Aboriginal Input into Constitutional Reform - With Prof Megan Davis

On today’s episode of The Law Down Under Podcast, we interview Professor Megan Davis. Professor Davis is the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous at the University of New South Wales, Sydney and is a renowned constitutional lawyer and public law expert. She works nationally and internationally as an advocate for indigenous rights. As the five year anniversary of The Uluru Statement of the Heart approaches, we discuss the significance of the statement, as well as Megan’s substantial involvement as the person to give the first public reading. We also discuss the relevance and implications of the High Court’s decision in Mabo. This is a must-listen episode to hear from an expert in this area of the law and on what Australia’s constitutional reforms may include. I hope you enjoy this episode with Professor Megan Davis.
 

E13 Law of the Sea - With Dr Natalie Klein

On today’s episode of The Law Down Under Podcast, we interview a Law of the Sea (including Human Rights at Sea) expert, Dr Natalie Klein. Dr Klein is a professor at UNSW, Sydney, where she teaches and researches in areas of international law, in particular the law of the sea and international dispute settlement. We discuss what drew Natalie to this area of the law, as well as what the law of the sea generally encompasses and its impact on Australia and New Zealand. Further discussed is maritime security, including the most pressing threats, law enforcement and options for legal reform.  Natalie provides insight into the area of Human Rights at Sea and the possible impact of the Geneva Declaration for Human Rights at Sea which is currently undergoing public consultation.  We also discuss the law of sharks which is the topic of a book she co-authored. This is an unmissable episode for all those interested in the law of the sea. I hope you enjoy this episode with Dr Natalie Klein.

E12 Succession Law - With Adrian Corbould

On today’s episode of The Law Down Under Podcast, we interview Adrian Corbould, a a partner and accredited specialist in contested wills and estates, heading the team at Turnbull Hill Lawyers in New South Wales. Adrian has a plethora of experience in Will Disputes, Contested Wills, Challenged Wills, Family Provision Claims and Inheritance Disputes in New South Wales. He is also the host of the successful video series ‘Battle of the Wills’. This episode discusses Adrian's career development, from serving in the Army to having primary carriage in one of the most frequently cited cases involving adult child claimants in estate disputes. Further discussed is Adrian’s video series ‘Battle of the Wills’, in particular, what drove Adrian to host this series, what he has learnt from it and what its future may be. We also discuss the key recommendations from the New Zealand Law Commission’s report on succession law and its recommendation that a new Act titled:  Inheritance (Claims Against Estates) Act be introduced in New Zealand to replace the existing suite of legislation that govern succession law in New Zealand.  This is a must-listen episode for those interested in hearing from a leading Wills and Estates litigation lawyer in New South Wales. I hope you enjoy this episode with Adrian Corbould.

E11 Trust Law - With Vicki Ammundsen

On today’s episode of The Law Down Under Podcast, we interview Vicki Ammundsen, the director of Vicki Ammundsen Trust Law and an expert in trust and estate law. Vicki is a highly-regarded conference and webinar presenter with extensive experience in the creation and management of client trusts. She has published numerous books and created the blog ‘Matters of Trust’. This episode discusses many of the aspects of Trusts and the issues arising from them. Further discussed is the role of trusts in modern family and business management and Vicki’s thoughts on the future of trust law in New Zealand. This is a must-listen episode for those interested in trust and estate law. I hope you enjoy this episode with Vicki Ammundsen. 

E10 Commercial Mediation - With Mark Kelly

On today’s episode of The Law Down Under Podcast, we interview commercial mediator Mark Kelly. Mark is highly-regarded as one of New Zealand’s leading commercial mediators. Resolving commercial disputes through the court system can be time-consuming, expensive, complex and uncertain.  Mediation offers an alternative platform to obtaining a resolution rather than one that is handed to the parties by a Judge or an arbitrator. In this episode, we talk with Mark about what exactly mediation is, why he transitioned from counsel to becoming a mediator, as well as some of the more technical aspects of mediation and negotiation generally. I hope you enjoy this episode with Mark Kelly. 

E9 Criminal Defence - With Emma Priest

On today's episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, we interview Emma Priest. Emma Priest is an experienced criminal defence lawyer. We talk about Emma’s early career in private practice and as a Crown Prosecutor. As a Crown Prosecutor, Emma conducted hundreds of indictable prosecutions including appearing as Counsel in over 50 jury trials, prosecuting some of the most high profile drug, sexual and violent crime. After 11 years Emma moved to the defence; starting at the Public Defence Service and then joining the independent criminal bar 7 years ago. On today’s podcast we talk about, the project Emma co-founded ‘The Good Lawyer’, burnout and stress for criminal lawyers including due to COVID, legal aid, training of young lawyers and the lessons Emma has learnt during her 20 years in the law. This is a must-listen episode for those interested to hear from one of New Zealand’s most tenacious criminal defence advocates. I hope you enjoy this episode with Emma Priest.

E8 The Power of Wellbeing - With Clive Elliott QC

On this episode of the Podcast, we interview Queens Counsel and Author Clive Elliott.  We discuss Clive’s legal career, interest in art and his new book The Power of Wellbeing.  Clive provides an insight into first home of South Africa and becoming a New Zealander, his career as an IP specialist, contribution to the independent bar, passion for the arts and what inspired his new book.  We discuss the key themes of his book.  In particular, our underlying social contract requires rewriting and how General Wellbeing should form the basis of a new paradigm.  We discuss Clive’s thoughts on what we can learn from the Covid-19 pandemic, what objectives should be set for society, building a fair and equitable society, wellbeing in action and practical advice for living better.

E7 Class Actions - With Nikki Chamberlain

On this episode of the Law Down Under Podcast we interview Nikki Chamberlain, the Associate Dean of Equity and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland Law School. Nikki graduated from the University of Auckland in 2007 with Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Television and Media Studies. Nikki received her Masters of Law at Vanderbilt University in 2016 where she made the Deans List for Academic Excellence in both semesters. Nikki also lectured legal writing at Vanderbilt University.
We talk about Nikki’s early career in private practice where she was a commercial litigator. Nikki practiced in a number of commercial law areas and appeared as counsel in both the appellate and trial courts. Since her shift into academia, Nikki has been published extensively, specifically in the area of Complex Litigation including Class Actions and Litigation Funding. On today’s podcast, we talk about some of the issues with introducing a class action regime in New Zealand and the lessons we can learn from the United States and Australian experiences.  This is a must-listen episode for those interested in Class Action litigation and where it is heading in New Zealand. I hope you enjoy this episode with Nikki Chamberlain.

E6 Health Law - With Emeritus Prof Ron Paterson

In this episode of the Law Down under Podcast, we interview Emeritus Professor Ron Paterson about his book The Good Doctor and his career in tertiary education and public service roles. We talk about what drew him to health law and a career teaching at the University of Auckland. Ron has been a lecturer and then professor at the University of Auckland for over two decades, and has done extensive research in complaint resolution, inquiries, healthcare quality and the regulation of the health profession. We then talk about his career in public services roles, particularly as Ombudsman and Health and Disability Commissioner, and what those roles taught him for the government policy advisory reviews he has been involved in and led. This is a captivating chat with one of the most qualified and experienced people in health law and policy. This is a must-listen episode for those interested in health law, particularly in the COVID 19 era. I hope you enjoy this episode with Ron Paterson.

E5 Using Tech to Innovate the Law and Promote Access to Justice - With Steve Keall

In this episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, we interview barrister Steve Keall about the projects he has recently launched with the aim of making the law more accessible and efficient in New Zealand. We discuss his cost calculation website and app ‘Two Bees’ and the reasoning behind creating it. We also discuss the book he recently published, Civil Litigation for Non-Lawyers, authored by Martin Dillon, and his learnings as a civil litigation and disputes barrister that drew him to take on the project. Steve is constantly working on different projects with the aim of bettering clients’ and lawyers’ experience in accessing justice. We talk about the online CPD platform he is currently working on and what Steve sees for the future for the profession. This is a fascinating dive into the ways that people within the profession are innovating, through technology, to make justice more accessible. This is a must-listen for those interested in the role of lawyers and technology in enhancing access to justice. I hope you will enjoy the podcast.