Events

We host a range of seminars and seminars throughout the year, including ad hoc conferences on important legal topics, our Brown Bag series of lectures from Judges and senior practitioners for young lawyers, Masterclasses from specialist contributing reviewers to the New Zealand Law Review, and a criminal law seminar usually held in Manukau.

 In 2023, we sponsored an Auckland lecture by Lord Sumption, a retired Judge of the United Kingdom Supreme Court.

Beyond academic and professional development, we offer social opportunities for legal professionals to connect, such as our Biennial Quiz.

Every year we invite an outstanding international scholar to visit the Auckland Law School for a series of discussions and lectures with faculty, students and the profession. Our four most recent visiting scholars have been Distinguished Professor Jacinta Ruru of the University of Otago Faculty of Law, retired Judge of the Australian High Court the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, Professor Adrienne Stone of the University of Melbourne Law School and this year we were joined by Philippe Sands KC.

Our upcoming events are listed below.

4 Mar, 2026

2025 Sentencing Amendments in Operation - responses of the courts, prosecution and defence

The second half of 2025 saw the entry into force of a modified three-strikes scheme and changes to substantive sentencing law intended to place hard limits on reductions for personal mitigating factors. Practitioners were forewarned and forearmed - but the success of any legislative reform is measured in its application. In March 2026, the Legal Research Foundation will present an examination of how the sentencing amendments are working in practice. How have the courts approached the provisions? What arguments from prosecution and defence have been accepted? What else do practitioners need to know about how the amendments operate in practice? This survey of the sentencing landscape will equip practitioners with an understanding of where arguments about these provisions are likely to head next. The Legal Research Foundation is pleased to host practitioners, students and other interested professionals for this update and discussion with presenters Katie Hogan KC and Gareth Kayes, facilitated by Robin McCoubrey. Attendees will also receive a paper analysing the case law.

MORE INFO AND BOOKINGS
Lady Justice