The Law Association of New Zealand



Evidence Law Update for Civil and Criminal Lawyers

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Whether you are a civil or criminal law practitioner, it is vital to keep up-to-date on developments in the law of evidence. Presented by evidence law lecturers and two of the co-authors of Mahoney on Evidence: Act & Analysis (Thomson Reuters 2nd ed, 2024), our annual evidence law update returns in December 2026. 

The 2-hour session will focus on the current application of key sections of the Evidence Act 2006 in both the civil and criminal law jurisdictions. It will cover recent developments in evidence law of interest to all practitioners. 

Topics will vary at the discretion of the presenters, but can include:

(a) relevance / unfair prejudice/ propensity evidence;

(b) expert opinion evidence; 

(c) claims of privilege / confidentiality;

(d) hearsay / business records;

(e) defendant’s statements and improperly obtained evidence;

(f) eligibility and compellability of witnesses;

(g) examination-in-chief;

(h) cross-examination;

(i) modes of presenting evidence;

(j) reliability warnings;

(k) “quick takes” on evidence issues in civil and criminal cases.

Learning Outcomes

  • Update your knowledge of key provisions of the Evidence Act 2006 and recent evidence case law from the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
  • Gain practical and useful understandings regarding the application of evidence law in civil and criminal proceedings.
  • Share the analytical insights into Evidence Act principles, provisions and case law offered by the presenters.


Who Should Attend?

All civil and criminal law practitioners who appear in court.


Presenters

Professor Scott Optican
University of Auckland Faculty of Law | Te Wāhanga Ture o Waipapa Taumata Rau 

Dr Alexandra Allen-Franks
Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Auckland Faculty of Law | Te Wāhanga Ture o Waipapa Taumata Rau


Scott Optican

Professor Scott Optican teaches evidence, criminal procedure and criminal justice at the University of Auckland Faculty of Law. He has published extensively in those fields and served on the New Zealand Law Commission's expert panel for the second review of the Evidence Act 2006.

Scott is also a co-author of Elisabeth McDonald and Scott Optican (gen eds) Mahoney on Evidence: Act & Analysis (Thomson Reuters, Wellington, 2018) and a contributing editor in evidence for the New Zealand Law Review.

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Details

Pricing Details

Ticket Price

Member: $200 plus GST
Non-Member: $285 plus GST





Busy schedule? No problem.
Our CPD webinars are recorded and available On Demand – offering the same CPD credit as attending live, with flexible access designed to fit your schedule. If you miss the livestream, don’t worry – you’ll receive access to the On Demand recording so you can catch up anytime. 

Click here to explore our extensive On Demand catalogue.



 

Registration

Registration Close Date

08/12/2026
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