A distinct feature of domestic arbitration in New Zealand is the ability to appeal an arbitral award on a question of law (Clause 5, Schedule 2 to the Arbitration Act).

In 2012, Amokura Kawharu wrote an important article analysing the success (or otherwise) of appeals on questions of law in the High Court between 1 January 2000 and June 2011.

Professor Kawharu found that of the 55 applications for leave to appeal on a question of law filed during that period, around one third were successful. Not all successful applications for leave resulted in an appeal being filed, which implies that some cases may have been settled after application for leave was successful. Of those that did proceed to a hearing on the merits (12 cases), six appeals were successful. Over the same period, there were 13 appeals on questions of law by agreement (i.e., no leave required). Three of these appeals were successful – making nine successful appeals in total.

AMINZ is governed by a seven-member Council, with a President, a Vice-President and five Ordinary Council Members. These roles are completely voluntary. Terms are two years in duration, with five roles coming up for election one year and two roles the following year. The term of any new elected members will commence at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 5 August 2021.

Two rising stars in the world of dispute resolution have been named the first recipients of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ) scholarships.

Sharnika Leleni has received the 2021 AMINZ Determinative Scholarship, an award focussed on arbitration, and Tunisia Set Ārena (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua; nō Te Tai Tokerau) has been named the 2021 AMINZ Consensual Scholarship winner, focussed on mediation.

It going to be all-go from the get-go at the 2021 Conference. Why? Unlike previous years, the first keynote speaker, His Honour Judge Heemi Taumaunu, Chief District Court Judge of New Zealand will present on day one of the conference. You won’t want to miss out on his address. We are also fortune to have District Court Judge, the Honourable Justice Joe Williams, Supreme Court Judge and Paulette Brown attending as keynote speakers. For all up-to-date information, including when registrations open in early May, head to our dedicated Conference website.

The Institute is delighted to announce that The Sir Ronald Davison Award has been awarded to Auckland Barrister Peter Davey for his work in the 2020 Fellowship Assessment Programme.

AMINZ and Resolution Institute made a submission to the Family Court (Supporting Children in Court) Legislation Bill. Executive Director Sue Wells, Resolution Institute Chief Operating Officer Trevor Slater and AMINZ/Resolution Institute member and Fellow Chris LaHatte spoke to the submission at select committee in February.