Strata Unit Titles Conference 2026 (Livestream)

Julia is a specialist Unit Titles Act lawyer with over 20 years of legal experience in New Zealand and internationally. In 2021, she founded Batchelor*Smith, a specialist practice offering Unit Titles Act advice to Bodies Corporate, developers, and property owners. Julia advises on the full spectrum of both contentious and non-contentious Unit Titles Act matters, delivering pragmatic outcomes required in the complex landscape of collective living.

Rex is the Deputy Principal Tenancy Adjudicator, having held that role since July 2020. He leads the Tribunal’s unit titles jurisdiction. Rex has worked as a full-time adjudicator since 2007, having adjudicated or mediated disputes in the tenancy, unit titles, consumer, ACC and commercial jurisdictions. He holds qualifications in both law and healthcare. Rex holds a Master of Laws and a practising certificate as a barrister.  

As a seasoned Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of body corporate management expertise, Garth provides a sophisticated and uniquely analytical perspective to the industry. His extensive background in the unit titles sector encompasses chairing hundreds of annual general meetings (AGMs), delivering strategic advisory to committees, and facilitating complex communications between stakeholders.

Notably, Garth has a proven track record in overseeing significant, multi-year building remediation projects, where he ensures strict financial rigour around significant sums of owners’ money. He is a dedicated proponent of ongoing professional development and actively supports key industry bodies and sector-wide initiatives.

Grant is a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor and a member of New Zealand Survey and Spatial. He has been a consultant for 20 years in the cadastral surveying, land development and construction fields. His recent work has involved the investigation and reporting of legally and spatially complex projects, often where disputes between parties, or conflicts in information, need to be resolved. Grant has provided evidence as an expert witness on cross-lease, unit title and other land tenure matters, and he frequently designs stratum subdivisions around new medium and high-density developments. 

Scott is Principal at Context Architects, bringing over 25 years’ experience in housing development across New Zealand and the UK. He has a deep understanding of the importance of strong body corporate governance in ensuring apartment living remains a desirable and sustainable option. 

Scott is highly experienced in both new apartment development and complex remediation, working collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholder groups including clients, contractors, and regulatory authorities. His approach is grounded in partnership and clear communication, ensuring the needs of all parties are met. He is passionate about delivering high-quality, community-focused solutions that balance density, liveability, and long-term value. 

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.

Ben specialises in property and commercial law and has acted for vendors and purchasers in a variety of complex, high-value commercial property transactions, as well as being experienced in all areas of commercial leasing. He has considerable development/subdivision experience and undertakes all aspects of fee simple, unit title, leasehold and cross-lease subdivisions including complex e-dealing registrations. Ben regularly advises bodies corporate, owners and building managers in relation to operational rules, building management agreements, governance repairs and maintenance, boundary changes, redevelopments, ownership and utility interest reassessments, disputes and general compliance with the Unit Titles Act 2010. He is frequently instructed in relation to property disputes and undertakes arbitrations and hearings in the Tenancy Tribunal for his clients as well as supporting counsel in litigation in the higher courts.

Clinton graduated from the University of Auckland in 1990 and is one of New Zealand's leading specialists on unit titles. Clinton advises committees, owners and their managers on a wide range of issues and regularly appears in Tribunals and Courts on behalf of bodies corporate.

Joanna is a property law expert, Past President of ADLS (TLANZ), Convenor of TLANZ’s Documents & Precedents Committee and a member of its Property Law Committee. She is also a member of NZLS’ Land Titles Committee. She often makes determinations under the ASPRE when there are disputes, is a past Chair of the Property Disputes Committee and gives expert evidence in Courts and Tribunals on a wide range of property matters.

Joanna is a property law expert, Past President of ADLS (TLANZ), Convenor of TLANZ’s Documents & Precedents Committee and a member of its Property Law Committee. She is also a member of NZLS’ Land Titles Committee. She often makes determinations under the ASPRE when there are disputes, is a past Chair of the Property Disputes Committee and gives expert evidence in Courts and Tribunals on a wide range of property matters.