Legal Advice
Where possible it’s good to get legal advice as early as possible to prevent any issues from arising. I can assist you with forward planning, risk identification and the drafting of written agreements. However, if an issue has already arisen I can assist you with dispute resolution options.
I am accredited by the NZ Law Society to practice law on my own account as a barrister.
I have also been appointed to a list of counsel able to accept appointments under the Family Court Act to provide independent legal advice and an impartial perspective to the Family Court on complex factual or legal issues in specific proceedings.
1
Sperm donation
Legal advice for:
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people considering sperm donation for family creation with a New Zealand or overseas based donor
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people considering sperm donation via a fertility clinic or privately at home without medical intervention
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people considering donating sperm to friends, family members or acquaintances
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donor conceived people seeking information about their donor or siblings
2
Egg donation
Legal advice for:
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people considering egg donation for family creation with a New Zealand or overseas based donor
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people considering donating eggs to friends, family members or acquaintances
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donor conceived people seeking information about their donor or siblings
3
Surrogacy arrangements
Legal advice for:
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people considering family creation with the assistance of a surrogate based in New Zealand or overseas
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New Zealand based people considering acting as a surrogate for friends, family members or acquaintances
4
Disagreements over stored eggs, sperm or embryos post separation
Legal advice for:
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people post separation who disagree with their former partner on use, donation or disposal
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people seeking clarity from fertility clinics on use, donation or disposal
5
Posthumous use of eggs, sperm or embryos
Legal advice for people seeking to use stored sperm, eggs or embryos after the death of their partner
6
Provision of fertility and other medical services
Legal advice for organisations seeking to comply with relevant legislation and regulations concerning matters such as:
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service standards
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informed consent
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privacy
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information management
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complaints procedures
7
Maternity
Legal advice for people seeking financial support from the biological father of their child to assist with the costs associated with pregnancy
8
Paternity
Legal advice for:
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people seeking clarity on the paternity of their child
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people seeking a refund of child support after a finding of non-paternity has been made
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people seeking clarity on the identity of their biological father
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people seeking to locate family members through their parental lineage
9
Adoption
Legal advice for:
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people seeking to adopt a child or children
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adopted adults seeking information about their adoption
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adopted adults seeking to discharge adoption orders
10
Mental health
Legal advice for people subject to compulsory treatment orders in secure mental health treatment centres. I am currently undertaking observations under the supervision of a lawyer with lead legal aid provider status. I will shortly apply for approval to be a supervised legal aid provider.
Do you need advice on a matter that is not in this list? Contact me and I'll let you know if I can help.