We have all been to a lot of conferences, but there is something different about Equity and Trusts ones. What is it about this subject that attracts a respectful and open but nevertheless mirthful, banter-ish vibe between everyone at the event? The people who speak and the people who go to hear – they are all very open and prepared to share (their discoveries, their insights, their doubts).

The conference was designed as an opportunity to provide “meaningful and substantive discussion on the many facets of equity and trust law”.  To meet that, the following topics were covered by the following people:

• Evaluating the Trusts Act 2019: Professor Emerita Nicola Peart ONZM, Faculty of Law, University of Otago 
• Trusts and the PRA: Colette Mackenzie, Director, Greg Kelly Trust Law
• Fiduciary Duties: Andrew Butler KC, Barrister, Thorndon Chambers
• Trustee costs and indemnities: Isaac Hikaka, Barrister, Mills Lane Chambers
• Trusts, Ture and Tikanga - "it's all about relationships": Judge Aidan Warren, Te Kooti Whenua Māori - Māori Land Court 
• Accessory liability – trends in dishonest assistance and knowing receipt: Nathaniel Walker, Partner, Russell McVeagh
• Taxation and Trusts: Tax traps for the unwary: Tim Stewart, Special Counsel, Mayne Wetherell

Undoubtedly the tone was already set by the chairperson for the conference, and beloved author of this (Thomson Reuters) parish, the very knowledgeable and engaging Andrew Butler KC. Andrew is very well-known for his thorough and extensive knowledge of the discipline (one of the experts selected by the Law Commission for advising them during their Trusts Law review). He is also known for his humour and for his Socratic method in speaking (yes, he does like to throw out questions to all assembled). His first speaker, another stalwart Thomson Reuters author (there were a few of them speaking), was the unassailable legend of lecturing and engaging her listeners, Professor Emerita Nicola Peart ONZM (who was introduced by Andrew, noting that when people are deciding whether to come to a Trusts conference, they tend to say “Well, I don’t know – will Nicola be there?”). Nicola also fired questions about and was a complete entertainment on her own. A huge highlight was Judge Aidan Warren (from Te Kooti Whenua Māori – Māori Land Court) on trusts, ture and tikanga. Very enlightening about what is happening now and what we can expect as we go on. All of the speakers were completely engaging and refreshingly inciteful.

The conference was also an opportunity to present two very relevant and much awaited texts:

• Professor Emerita Nicola Peart ONZM Trusts Act 2019: Acts and Analysis (Thomson Reuters, Wellington, 2024) (now available for purchase and launched at the conference):
• Andrew Butler KC (gen ed) Equity and Trusts in New Zealand (3rd ed, Thomson Reuters, Wellington, 2024) (available in November this year).

Professor Peart’s book contains her extensive and sought-after section-by-section commentary on the Trusts Act 2019, up to July 2024. The Equity and Trusts in New Zealand text, now into its third edition, needs no introduction and this edition is authored by the following: Andrew Butler KC (General Editor), Juliet Chevalier-Watts, Tim Clarke, Bob Hollyman KC, Jeff Kenny, Stephen Kós KC, Geoff McLay, Jared Ormsby, Nicola Peart, Tim Stewart, Malcolm Wallace, Nathaniel Walker, Katrina Wood.

On querying one of the speakers about the camaraderie, the debate, the sharing and the unexpected entertainment of this conference, the reply was: “Oh yes, we always have a great time at these events”.

Remember that, next time you see an Equity and Trusts conference advertised. Never mind if it is not your specialist subject; the brain stretch, the debate and the laughter are good for you.

If you are interested in what Thomson Reuters has to offer as far as Trusts commentary is concerned, please talk to us. We have Professor Peart’s regularly updated Trusts commentary as part of the Family Property product and we also have Working with Trusts, which is a product for those who advise on trusts but don’t necessarily need the detailed blow-torch of Nicola’s commentary. This product also includes very useful trusts taxation commentary. We would love to hear from you.