PROFILE
Ben has over 20 years of experience in all areas of family law including international work. He is equally able in diverse cases from high net worth relationship property cases to care and contact disputes about children. Ben is friendly and approachable.
In 2022 Ben completed the Advanced International Advocacy Course at Keble College, Oxford. The course is the most demanding and intensive of any advocacy course in the UK. Ben is a qualified solicitor advocate in England meaning he can appear at all court levels in England and Wales.
PRACTICE AREAS
All family law areas
Mediation and negotiation
Family Court and High Court hearings
Appeals - High Court and Court of Appeal
MEMBERSHIPS
NZ Bar Association
Family Law Section
New Zealand Law Society
Experience
Contested hearings (NZ & England)
High Court trial and appellate advocacy
Court of Appeal
Appointed Lawyer for Child
REPORTED CASES
Sutton (Trustees of Sutton Trust) v Bell
[2021] NZCA 645Sutton v Bell [2020] NZFLR 27 - High Court
Sutton (Trustees of Sutton Trust) v Bell [2017] NZFLR 779 - High Court
SEMINAR PUBLICATIONS
NZLS CLE Seminar: Gift or Loan? - 2018
Legalwise Family Law Forum - 2019 Drafting Section 21A Settlement Agreements: A Practitioner's Check List
Legalwise Drafting for Overseas Assets - 2020
Presenter NZLS Stepping Up programme - Barrister workshop 2016 - 2021
Education
univeristy of otago
BA (History) & LLB - 2001