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The 22nd Annual Medico Legal Congress 2025

24 - 25 February 2025 | Grand Millennium, Auckland

Navigating the ever-changing medico-legal landscape of Aotearoa

This event provides critical insights from the interface of healthcare policy, regulation, and biomedical ethics and provides delegates with an essential opportunity to gain an understanding of how existing and emerging medico-legal issues impact the healthcare and legal systems.

Where law & medicine meet

Discover the intersection of healthcare and legal practices like never before at the 2025 New Zealand Medico-Legal Congress.

Venue

The location and how you can get there.

Address

Grand Millennium Auckland
71 Mayoral Drive, Cnr Vincent Street, Auckland 1010

Agenda

Work In Progress... We're currently working on our 2025 agenda

Download the 2024 brochure to get a sneak peak of what might await you next year!

8:30	Registration and Coffee
8:45	Mihi Whakatau
9:00	Welcoming remarks from the Chair Iris Reuvecamp, Principal, Vida Law
9:10	Te Tititi o Waitangi: Understanding challenges and pathways in New Zealand Brief history and significance of Te Tiriti in New Zealand and it’s importance in health Overview of Te Tiriti’s principles: Partnership, Protection, and Participation Analysis of recent political developments impacting Te Tiriti Overview of Government policies and initiatives related to Māori rights and wellbeing Discussion of public sentiment and political discourse surrounding Te Tiriti Examining systemic inequalities and disparities affecting Māori communities Strategies for enhancing the implementation of Te Tiriti in practice in the health sector Sharon Shae, Tumu Whakarae\|CEO, Shea, Pita and Associates
9:50	Panel Discussion: Empowering the At-Risk: Legal safeguards for vulnerable populations in healthcare Definition and identification of vulnerable populations Overview of the specific challenges vulnerable populations face in accessing healthcare Overview of key legislation protecting vulnerable populations and discussing how these laws are implemented in practice Discussing the limitations of current legal protections Real world examples of challenges faced by vulnerable populations Exploration of potential reforms and improvements in legal safeguards Discussion on advocacy strategies to empower vulnerable populations Mihi Blair, General Manager, Māori Health and Equity, ProCare Erik Monasterio, Consultant in Forensic Psychiatry, Orko Ellie Wilson, Partner, Govett Quilliam
10:40	Morning break
11:10	Replacing the Medicines Act - what’s on the horizon now Discussing the current Medicines Act Limitations of the current framework (e.g., addressing new technologies, digital health personalized medicine, regulatory inefficiencies) Discussing why a replacement is necessary (outdated regulations, modern medical advancements, public health needs) Overview of the proposed changes Discussing potential challenges and opportunities Catherine Deans, Senior Associate, Dentons
11:50	The Legal and Ethical Aspects of Provider Self-Referral in Healthcare Discussing current regulations and laws related to self-referral Key legislative acts such as the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act and the Commerce Act Discussing the ethical implications and how self-referral can affect trust in the healthcare system Presenting of real-world case studies from New Zealand and abroad Legal and ethical analysis of the outcomes in these cases Discussing the lessons learned and how they apply to current practice Jaime King, John and Marylyn Mayo Chair in Health Law and Professor of Law, The University of Auckland
12:30	Informed Consent: Prevention of complaints and professional discipline Overview of ethical foundations of informed consent Analysis of select Health and Disability Commissioner opinions Analysis of select Health Practitioner Disciplinary Tribunal decisions Discussion of challenges in practice: health literacy; sociocultural factors; and incapacity Insights for future practice Kate Diesfeld, Professor of Law, Auckland University of Technology
13:10	Lunch
14:10	Healthcare providers as frontline workers: Legal protections and support in New Zealand Defining of frontline healthcare providers and their roles in the healthcare system Overview of the unique challenges faced by these professionals, especially during public health crises Discuss legal protections for healthcare workers and overview of the relevant legislation Strategies for addressing workplace hazards and ensuring mental health support Resources available for healthcare professionals facing occupational stress and burnout Presenting some notable cases illustrating legal issues encountered by healthcare providers and the lessons learned from these cases to improve protections and support systems Olivia Lund, Partner, Duncan Cotterill
14:50	Palliative care and legal considerations Understanding the objectives of palliative care Importance of legal considerations in providing quality end-of-life care Discussing the legal framework governing palliative care and the overview of relevant legislation Best practices for documenting palliative care decisions and the importance of clear communication with patients and families regarding treatment options and legal rights Discussing patient rights and informed consent in palliative care settings
15:30	Afternoon break
15:50	Guidelines and rights of healthcare professionals during Coroners' investigations: Navigating legal responsibilities and ethical obligations in New Zealand Overview of the role of the coroner in New Zealand and the purpose and scope of coroners' investigations in healthcare contexts Key legislation, including the Coroners Act 2006 Overview of the rights of healthcare professionals during investigations Responsibilities of healthcare providers in reporting and documentation Understanding the process – Step by step process and the Key stakeholders involved Emphasising on the Importance of collaboration and communication throughout the process Discussing how to balance transparency with patient confidentiality and legal protections Exploring the common challenges and experiences during investigations Outlining medico-legal learning from recent Coroners' investigations: Nick Laing, Partner, Duncan Cotterill
16:30	Key amendments to ACC in the past year: What you need to know Summary of key legislative changes in the past year Comparison of previous vs. current regulations Focus on the most significant amendments affecting businesses and individuals Implications for employers and businesses Implications for individuals and claimants Summary of key amendments affecting maternal birth injury claims Rationale behind the changes and stakeholder input Case studies illustrating the impact of amendments Louise Newman, Senior Associate, Gibson Sheat Lawyers
17:00	Summary remarks from the Chair & Networking Drinks

8:30	Registration and Coffee
9:00	Welcoming remarks from the Chair Iris Reuvecamp, Principal, Vida Law
9:05	Understanding the role of the Health and Disability Commissioner in maintaining quality and standards in New Zealand healthcare Examining the role of the Health and Disability Commissioner in promoting the rights of users of health and disability services Reviewing the outcomes of recent cases before the Commission and the learning from the decisions made Analysing data around trends that emerge across complaint - identifying target areas of concern within the sector Exploring the current review of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights and the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 Morag McDowell, Commissioner, Health and Disability Commission
9:50	Understanding professional disciplinary processes: Complaints handling and the role of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal Understanding the purpose and importance of disciplinary processes in healthcare Discussing types of complaints and common issues leading to disciplinary action Understanding the complaints handling process Discussing the role of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal Discussing the rights of healthcare practitioners during the disciplinary process Responsibilities of practitioners in responding to complaints and cooperating with investigations Presenting notable HPDT cases and outcomes and the impact of these cases on the profession and public trust Lessons learned to improve practice and avoid future complaints
10:30	Morning break
11:00	Maintaining the professional standards and ethics of doctors in New Zealand Examining the role of the Medical Council of New Zealand in protecting the public, promoting good medical practice and ensuring fitness to practice Overview of the current standards that set out the principles and values that define good medical practice Ensuring that we meet the public's expectations of doctors: Outlining the importance of trust in patient/doctor relationships and what happens when it's broken Identifying the principles of right-touch regulation and how they are applied when considering notifications Examining recent notifications to the Council – what lessons can these teach us? TBC, Medical Council of New Zealand
11:40	Telemedicine and technology: Legal challenges and best practices for safe and effective healthcare delivery in New Zealand Overview of telemedicine and its relevance in the current healthcare environment Examining the legal frameworks governing telemedicine Discussing telemedicine licensing requirements and jurisdictional considerations Discussing common legal challenges in telemedicine and the key legal issues Overview of emerging technologies in telemedicine (e.g., AI, remote monitoring tools) Discussion of the legal and ethical implications of using these technologies Strategies for integrating new technologies while ensuring compliance and patient safety Presenting case studies highlighting legal disputes arising from telemedicine practices Dr Ruth Large, Chief Clinical Officer, Whakarongorau Aotearoa/ New Zealand Telehealth Services Samantha King, Medicolegal Consultant, Medical Protection Society
12:10	Medico-Legal Aspects of Delivering Healthcare in the NZ Defence Force Overview of relevant laws and regulations governing military healthcare Responsibilities and duties of healthcare providers in the Defence Force Consent and confidentiality issues in a military context Discussing unique healthcare challenges faced by military personnel Presenting case studies highlighting medico-legal dilemmas in military healthcare Discussing the implications of these cases for medico legal and clinical practice Lessons learned and best practices for mitigating risks LT COL Bob Duncan, Chief Medical Officer, New Zealand Defence Force LT CDR Jonathan Rowe, New Zealand Defence Force
12:40	Lunch
13:40	Understanding the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988: Implications for Healthcare Decision-Making in New Zealand Overview of the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 Purpose and significance of the Act in protecting the rights of individuals with impaired capacity Determining mental capacity as outlined in the Act Explaining the criteria and processes for assessing capacity in healthcare settings Discuss welfare guardianship and appointments and the process for appointing a welfare guardian when no relatives are available Discussing the responsibilities of guardians in healthcare decision-making Overview of legal protections for individuals under the Act Rights of patients and responsibilities of healthcare professionals Understanding potential legal liabilities in decision-making processes Alex McDonald, Barrister, Alex McDonald Barrister
14:10	Safeguarding Minors' Rights in Gender Affirming Care: Legal and Ethical Insights in New Zealand Overview of gender-affirming treatment options available for minors Discussing the legal framework governing Minors' rights and examining the relevant legislations Discussion on the concept of Gillick competency and its implications for minors' consent Exploring of the role of parents and guardians in decision-making for minors Legal considerations regarding parental consent versus the rights of the minor Case studies highlighting conflicts between parental authority and minors' rights Discussing ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare providers when treating minors Guidelines for ensuring informed consent and shared decision-making in gender-affirming care Strategies for creating a supportive and inclusive environment for transgender youth
14:40	Exploring legal rights to healthcare for detained individuals Overview of the meaning of detained Overview of access to healthcare for those civilly and criminally detained Discussing relevant laws and regulations for those detained in prisons and community care settings Discussing case studies and how can we improve things? Dr Frances Matthews, Medicolegal advisor and GP
15:00	Summary remarks from the Chair
15:15	Separately Bookable Workshop The intersection of Capacity, Consent, and Documentation: Legal implications and protections for patients and providers Importance of informed consent, patient capacity, and accurate documentation in medico-legal practice Key legal frameworks in New Zealand and international guidelines Understanding Capacity in Medical Decision-Making Informed Consent: Legal and Ethical Considerations Core principles of informed consent: autonomy, voluntariness, and understanding How to obtain valid consent from patients with diminished capacity Special considerations for obtaining consent from vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with cognitive impairments Legal importance of thorough and accurate documentation in the informed consent process How documentation can provide legal protection in cases of disputed consent or capacity Best practices for documenting consent discussions, capacity assessments, and any involvement of surrogate decision-makers Legal protections afforded to healthcare providers when capacity assessments, consent, and documentation are done properly How to mitigate risk through proactive legal and ethical approaches Role of legal counsel and ethics committees in complex case Iris Reuvecamp, Principal, Vida Law
18:00	Summary remarks from the Facilitator & End of Workshop

Speakers

View the Agenda tab to download the brochure and explore which experts presented in 2024

2025 Speakers will be announced soon!

If you are interested in speaking or participating in this event, please contact our portfolio manager John Mercer at johnm@brightstar.co.nz

More Info

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Mihi Blair

General Manager, Māori Health and Equity, ProCare

ProCare

Read bio

With over 15 years of experience, Mihi Blair serves as the Kaiwhakahaere Hauora Māori, Mana Taurite at ProCare Health Ltd., Aotearoa’s largest Primary Health Organisation. Her career focuses on driving positive change for Māori and Pacific communities through strategic management, advocacy, and fostering partnerships with iwi. Mihi’s expertise spans community engagement, legislative navigation, and funding management, with leadership roles across sectors including health, housing, education, and social services. She serves on the board of Emerge Aotearoa Housing Trust and co-chairs Ngā Matapihi o Te Wairua – GPNZ Māori PHO Leaders Roopu. Her involvement in the Vaping steering group and the Smokefree Oceania Conference highlights her commitment to equitable policies and community well-being. At ProCare, Mihi ensures the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi remain central to achieving better health outcomes for Māori and future generations.

Morag McDowell

Commissioner

Health and Disability Commission

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Morag McDowell, Health and Disability Commissioner, began her term in September 2020. Morag took up the role after serving nearly 13 years as a Coroner based in Auckland. She was formerly a Crown Prosecutor, Director of Proceedings for the Health and Disability Commissioner’s Office, and a Senior Legal Adviser at Crown Law. Since completing her Master of Laws degree, her legal practice has had a strong focus on healthcare law, and she has appeared in different courts and tribunals on a variety of health-related litigation. She has also lectured and published on a range of medico-legal issues. Morag is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of health and disability services consumers where the Code sets the benchmark for good practice, and opportunities for learning and quality improvement are embraced. She strongly values the importance of fair, timely, transparent, and culturally appropriate processes where people are engaged, and given the opportunity to be heard.

Jaime King

John and Marylyn Mayo Chair in Health Law and Professor of Law

The University of Auckland

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Professor King is an expert in numerous aspects of health law, policy, and reform. Since arriving at the University of Auckland, Professor King’s research has explored issues at the intersection of population health, the environment, ethics, law and policy. She also continues to examine the ways that the law affects people’s health and access to affordable and equitable health care. For the last decade, her research has focused on the drivers of healthcare costs, with a special interest in market consolidation and efforts to improve transparency in healthcare pricing. This interest led her to co-find The Source on Healthcare Price and Competition (sourceonhealthcare.org), a multidisciplinary website designed to provide curated academic literature, court documents, regulatory and legislative materials, news, and analysis on healthcare price and competition in the United States. Professor King’s work on healthcare price and competition has resulted in her being asked to testify before members of the U.S. House of Representatives and several state legislatures, as well as serve on a Technical Expertise Panel for the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr Ruth Large

Chief Clinical Officer

Whakarongorau Aotearoa/ New Zealand Telehealth Services

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Ruth is a specialist emergency and rural hospital doctor. After graduating with her MBChB she worked in the outback of Australia before returning to Aotearoa to spend a short time in General Practice. Ruth completed her specialist emergency training in the Auckland area receiving Fellowship in 2007 and Fellowship to the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine in 2013. Ruth has held roles as an Emergency Physician and Rural Hospitalist for the Waikato District Health Board from 2007-2021 where she held successive roles as the Clinical Director of Thames ED, the Clinical Director of Thames Hospital and Community and the Clinical Director of Information Services and Virtual Healthcare. Ruth sees digital technology as playing a pivotal role in healthcare transformation and she has a particular focus on removing barriers to accessing healthcare, she holds postgraduate qualifications in both health services management and health informatics. Ruth was a founding member of the New Zealand Telehealth Forum and the Clinical Informatics Lead Network, she has been the Chair of the New Zealand Telehealth Leadership Group since 2017 and has been the Chief Clinical Officer for Whakarongorau Aotearoa/New Zealand Telehealth Services since 2021. Ruth continues to work clinically at Middlemore Hospital and in rural hospitals throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

Dr Frances Matthews

Medicolegal advisor and GP

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Dr Frances Matthews is a self-employed medicolegal advisor and GP. She qualified as a doctor in the UK in 1982 and has worked in hospitals and General Practice in the UK, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand. She is a Fellow of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine in the subspeciality of medico legal advisor. She was called to the bar in Ireland in 2012 and has a Master’s degree in Bioethics and Health Law and a PhD and Masters in Law, all from the University of Otago. Her medicolegal practice involves mostly ACC matters. She has a special interest in the human rights of older adults and has been an external consultant for Age Concern Otago. She is an advisor on healthcare and ACC matters for the Christchurch Citizens Advice Bureau. She currently divides her time between locum GP work and medico legal work.

Samantha King

Medicolegal Consultant

Medical Protection Society

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LT COL Bob Duncan

Chief Medical Officer

New Zealand Defence Force

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LT CDR Jonathan Rowe

New Zealand Defence Force

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Originally from Christchurch, Jonathan (Jono) obtained a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) at the University of Otago. While at Otago, Jono was elected Vice President of the Otago University Students’ Association and served two terms on the University Council. As a member of the Appeals Board of the University Council, Jono’s experience included sitting on appeals relating to decisions by the Division of Health Sciences. After graduating in 2013, Jono embarked on a career as a legal officer in the NZDF and commissioned as an officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Since commissioning, Jono has served operationally in Antarctica, Asia and the Middle East. Jono’s postings in New Zealand have spanned tactical, operational and strategic headquarters. He has had roles in military prosecutions, operational law and personnel law and has appeared in the Coroner’s Court, Court Marital and Court Martial Appeals Courts, as well as counsel assisting courts of inquiry. His current role as Deputy Director of Legal Services (Personnel), includes responsibility for legal advice to the Defence Health Directorate.

Erik Monasterio

Consultant in Forensic Psychiatry

Orko

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I am a specialist in Forensic Psychiatry with 25 years’ experience, having worked in the public health system from 1992 to 2021. I was the Clinical Director and Director of Area Mental Health Services for the Canterbury District Health Board’s Regional Forensic Service between 2014 and 2021. I am a Senior Clinical Lecturer with the Christchurch School of Medicine. My main research interests include legal and ethical implications of the incarceration of mentally disordered people, assessment and impact of personality factors and stress responses in extreme athletes and criminal offenders, performance under extreme stress, appropriate and inappropriate use of psychiatric medications, and the effects of trade agreements on health. In my work as a forensic psychiatrist, I am involved in the medico-legal assessment and treatment of some of the country’s highest profile offenders.

Ellie Wilson

Partner

Govett Quilliam

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Ellie has a particular interest and expertise in all areas of health law including ACC processes, complaints and investigations, civil claims, professional disciplinary processes, and privacy matters. She has worked from almost all angles in this space including for patients, practitioners, regulators, and insurers. Her broad experience provides a holistic and practical approach to health care matters. Stemming from her passion in health law, Ellie hosts a quarterly medico-legal discussion group open to anyone interested in the intersection between health and the law. Ellie has extensive and broad litigation experience, appearing in a range of jurisdictions from Tribunal level to the Court of Appeal. She also works within our Family Team, providing advice and expertise on relationship property matters. In 2023, Ellie was recognised by NZ Lawyer as a Top Female Lawyer in New Zealand in the Elite Women category

Olivia Lund

Partner

Duncan Cotterill

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Olivia is a partner at Duncan Cotterill Lawyers where she leads one of New Zealand’s largest health and safety and medico legal teams with lawyers across the country. She acts for clients in a range of sectors and industries and is recognised for her work acting in complex workplace incidents, regulatory investigations, coronial inquiries, professional complaints and discipline, and defending regulatory prosecutions. Olivia supports clients to minimise the impacts of an adverse incident whilst preserving the reputation, integrity, and relationships of all interested parties.

Nick Laing

Partner

Duncan Cotterill

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Nick is a medico-legal expert. Nick acts for health service providers and health practitioners alike in health practitioner discipline and negligence claims (including before the Coroner, Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, Health and Disability Commissioner, Privacy Commissioner and Ombudsmen). Nick also regularly advises on medico-legal aspects including duty of care, patient consent, privacy and treatment issues, and applied aspects of intensivist treatment.

Louise Newman

Senior Associate

Gibson Sheat Lawyers

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Louise is a Senior Associate in our litigation team who specialises in health law and accident compensation cases (ACC). Louise also has considerable experience and expertise assisting clients with general civil and commercial disputes. Louise joined Gibson Sheat in 2019 after five years at a law firm in Wellington, New Zealand focusing on complex medico-legal litigation, specialising in claims related to the ACC. During this time, she was also involved in mental health litigation and criminal defence work. Louise has also previously worked in-house at a large government department.

Catherine Deans

Senior Associate

Dentons

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Alex McDonald

Barrister

Alex McDonald Barrister

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Alex is a senior barrister practising exclusively in trusts, estates, relationship property and elder law litigation. She has a particular interest in the PPPR Act and has been involved in a wide range of applications under the Act.

Sharon Shae

Tumu Whakarae|CEO

Shea, Pita and Associates

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Sharon is passionate about achieving equity, resilience and oranga1 for populations and as an indigenous wāhine2 of Aotearoa New Zealand, she is a long-time advocate of indigenous peoples’ rights and the achievement of intergenerational wellbeing. Sharon graduated from Oxford University at the top of her class with an MSc in Comparative Social Policy (Distinction)3. She also has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Auckland University. Sharon began her career in 1993 as a lawyer and then moved into the health sector where she held a range of senior management roles in government and non-government organisations focussed on Māori4 health improvement. In 2000, Sharon worked in the NHS (England) and completed postgraduate studies. Since her return to New Zealand in 2002, Sharon has run a successful consulting business (Shea Pita and Associates Ltd).

Iris Reuvecamp

Principal

Vida Law

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Iris is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. Iris has been practising as a health and disability law specialist for more than twenty years both as in-house counsel and as an external advisor and advises a range of public and private health and disability sector organisations. Iris is a clinico-legal specialist, with a strong human rights focus, and an interest in the law as it relates to adults with affected decision-making capacity, mental health, aged care, and disability. Iris appears regularly in a range of courts and tribunals including the Human Rights Review Tribunal, Coroners Court, Family Court, District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Iris is a court appointed lawyer for the subject person under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988, lawyer for the child and acts as lawyer to assist the Family Court. Iris is an Affiliate of the Law Faculty and a Senior Professional Practice Fellow at the University of Otago and teaches on health and disability law. Iris has published on a range of topics relevant to health and disability law. Iris is co-editor of Mental Capacity Law in New Zealand (Thomson Reuters, Wellington, 2019), and editor of Brookers Family Law — Incapacity (online looseleaf ed, Thomson Reuters), PPPR Act & Analysis (Thomson Reuters, Wellington,3rd edition, 2023) and Mental Health Act & Analysis (Thomson Reuters, Wellington, 1st edition, 2023). Iris was awarded a Borrin Foundation Women Leaders in Law Fellowship in 2022 to work on a text entitled Death, Dying and the Law, to be published in 2025. Iris is a trustee of Ashburn Clinic, a trustee of the Masonic Villages Trust and independent director of Masonic Villages Limited and Masonic Care Limited. Iris is the immediate past Chair of the Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology and current Chair of the WHO Compliance Panel for Implementing and Monitoring the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in New Zealand: The Code in New Zealand.

Kate Diesfeld

Professor of Law

Auckland University of Technology

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Professor Kate Diesfeld was an Alaskan Court Investigator and lawyer for people with disabilities at California’s Protection and Advocacy, Inc. She held academic roles at Kent Law School (England), the University of Waikato (NZ) and Auckland University of Technology (NZ). Kate was Director of the National Centre for Health Law and Ethics and Chair of AUT’s Ethics Committee. Before England’s Mental Health Review Tribunal, she represented clients. She co-edited Involuntary Detention and Therapeutic Jurisprudence (2003) and Elder Law in New Zealand (2014). Editorial roles were with Journal of Legal Medicine, LAWS, plus Psychiatry, Psychology and Law. She is a Fellow of the American College of Legal Medicine, Convenor of the Law Association’s Mental Health and Disability Sub-Committee and on the Advisory Committee of Auckland Disability Law (community law centre). Kate is researching policing with disabled people, assisted dying services and elder law. She is a Co-PI on the Marsden Fund study “A rehabilitation model for professional discipline.

Christine Anderson

Registrar

Medical Council of New Zealand

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Lizzie Masters

Deputy Registrar

Medical Council of New Zealand

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Separately Bookable Workshop

POST CONFERENCE

The intersection of capacity, consent, and documentation: Legal implications and protections for patients and providers

25 February 2025 | 3.15 PM - 6.00 PM

In this workshop you will dive into:

The importance of informed consent, patient capacity, and accurate documentation in medico-legal practice
Key legal frameworks in New Zealand and international guidelines
Understanding Capacity in Medical Decision-Making
Informed Consent: Legal and Ethical Considerations
Core principles of informed consent: autonomy, voluntariness, and understanding
How to obtain valid consent from patients with diminished capacity
Special considerations for obtaining consent from vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with cognitive impairments
The role of documentation in protecting the providers and patients
Legal importance of thorough and accurate documentation in the informed consent process
How documentation can provide legal protection in cases of disputed consent or capacity
Best practices for documenting consent discussions, capacity assessments, and any involvement of surrogate decision-makers
Ethical dilemmas at the intersection of Capacity, Consent, and Documentation
Legal protections afforded to healthcare providers when capacity assessments, consent, and documentation are done properly
How to mitigate risk through proactive legal and ethical approaches
Role of legal counsel and ethics committees in complex case

Iris Reuvecamp

Principal

Vida Law

Sponsorship

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medico legal medicallegal medical law health counsel

The 22nd Annual Medico Legal Congress 2025

24 - 25 February 2025 | Grand Millennium, Auckland

Navigating the ever-changing medico-legal landscape of Aotearoa

Where law & medicine meet

Venue

The location and how you can get there.

Agenda

Work In Progress... We're currently working on our 2025 agenda

Speakers

View the Agenda tab to download the brochure and explore which experts presented in 2024

Mihi Blair

Morag McDowell

Jaime King

Dr Ruth Large

Dr Frances Matthews

Samantha King

LT COL Bob Duncan

LT CDR Jonathan Rowe

Erik Monasterio

Ellie Wilson

Olivia Lund

Nick Laing

Louise Newman

Catherine Deans

Alex McDonald

Sharon Shae

Iris Reuvecamp

Kate Diesfeld

Christine Anderson

Lizzie Masters

Separately Bookable Workshop

POST CONFERENCE

The intersection of capacity, consent, and documentation: Legal implications and protections for patients and providers

25 February 2025 | 3.15 PM - 6.00 PM

Sponsorship

Don't miss out on the connections and credibility boost!

Tickets

Individual tickets

2 for the price of 1​

Super Saver

Early Bird

Full Price

DHB & NGO: Individual tickets

2 for the price of 1​​

Super Saver

Early Bird

Full Price

Group tickets

Multi Buy - 3+Tickets

DHB & NGO: Multi Buy - 3+ Tickets

Workshop tickets

Workshop Ticket

Get in touch.

General Contact

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