Areas of Practice
Parenting, Adoption and Oranga Tamariki
This area includes custody (now called day to day care), access (now called contact) and guardianship disputes (covering relocation, name disputes and religious choice). Ewan has acted in a number of complex and contested parenting cases both on a domestic and international basis. He has acted for clients in both open and closed adoption cases and in Oranga Tamariki matters.
Relationship Property
Ewan has extensive experience in the area of relationship property both in terms of settling disputes and litigation. He has experience in drafting s21 Agreements – both contracting out agreements (called prenuptials) and settlement agreements (agreements to conclude matters). Ewan has been involved in cases involving s21 Agreements both at the High Court and Court of Appeal level.
Estate and Trust matters
Ewan has acted for a number of clients in the context of claims against deceased estates. His experience has included acting for trustees and beneficiaries under Family Protection Act, Testamentary Promises Act, Trustee Act as well as the surviving party under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976.
Trans-Tasman Issues
Ewan was previously a partner in a boutique family law practice in Sydney where he practised for 8 years. He has been involved in a number of cases involving cross border issues between New Zealand and Australia. He has presented recently for Lexus Nexus on this area.
Legal Aid
Ewan is available to take instructions on the basis of legal aid.
Instructions
Ewan is available to take instructions throughout New Zealand and from Australia. His terms of engagement are available to be viewed here:
Terms of Engagement (Direct)
Terms of Engagement (With instructing solicitor)