The Law Association of New Zealand

Covenants and Easements: Modification, Extinguishment, and Interpretation (2026) (On Demand)

This On Demand was recorded on 18 March 2026.

Covenants and easements are commonplace in property matters, but sometimes their very existence causes tension and disagreement. The process for modifying or extinguishing an outdated/obsolete covenant or easement can be long, costly, and complex. 

This On Demand will consider what recent case law means for the drafting and reading of easements and covenants now and in the future, and how extinguishment and modification arguments or claims can be optimally pursued.

There will be a focus on litigation matters relating to modification and extinguishment of easements and covenants under the Property Law Act. It will explore how recent case law highlights areas of opportunity and challenge for litigation and property lawyers; in particular, issues of evidence and compensation will be addressed, alongside issues of interpretation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to update your knowledge for your practice.

Learning Outcomes

  • Recognise grounds and key principles for modification and extinguishment of covenants and easements.
  • Identify recent case law relating to issues around evidence and compensation.
  • Identify recent case law relating to issues around interpretation.
  • Determine areas of opportunity and challenge for litigation and property lawyers, regarding covenant and easement modification and extinguishment.


Who Should Watch?

Property lawyers, legal executives, and civil and commercial litigators. Developers, surveyors and planners might also find it useful.


Presenters

John Hannan | Barrister & Mediator, Bankside Chambers
Thomas Gibbons | Director, Thomas Gibbons Law


John Hannan

John Hannan is a highly experienced lawyer specialising in employment law, and in commercial, property, and estate law litigation and advice. He has been involved in major property law cases such as Cornwall Park Trust Board Inc v Chen [2016] 2 NZLR 637. He is currently involved in a right-of-way matter in the Court of Appeal. John was a Senior Lecturer in the Auckland University Law Faculty prior to becoming a senior partner at DLA Piper New Zealand. He joined the independent bar in 2019. He also acts as an investigator and is a qualified mediator.

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Thomas Gibbons

Thomas is a specialist property and land development lawyer. His work traverses unit titles, expert opinions, technical easement and covenant advice, resource consent and plan change matters, the Public Works Act, infrastructure agreements, and local government issues. 

Thomas has presented seminars at academic and industry-based conferences in New Zealand and overseas, and wrote a series of articles on the 10th edition of the ADLS/REINZ Agreement for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate for LawTalk. He is the author of Unit Titles Law & Practice, A Practical Guide to the Land Transfer Act and co-author of Subdivisions Law and Practice, and has written various journal articles. He has provided expert evidence in the High Court on land development matters, and also serves on a number of boards and committees.

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Details

CPD Hours: 1.50hr

Pricing Details

Ticket Price

Member: $160 plus GST
Non-Member: $230 plus GST





Questions?
[email protected]

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