Contract Law for Non-Lawyers New Zealand 2025
Early Bird Rates End In
The details
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Auckland: 5th August
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Cliftons Auckland Level 4/45 Queen St Auckland, 1010
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Wellington: 7th August
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Cliftons Wellington Level 28/100 Willis St, Wellington, 6011
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Christchurch: 12th August
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Rydges Christchurch 30 Latimer Square, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011
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Online: 14th August
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Interactive Course Over Zoom
About This Course
Whether you’re reviewing supplier agreements, authorising project contracts, or managing procurement in your business or organisation, understanding the fundamentals of contract law is essential for avoiding costly legal pitfalls.
The Leadership Institute’s Contract Law for Non-Lawyers is a practical masterclass designed for non-lawyers who regularly interact with contracts in the course of their role. It provides essential legal knowledge and hands-on tools to help you confidently interpret, draft, and manage contracts under New Zealand law. Led by a senior legal practitioner with extensive experience across Aotearoa and the wider Asia-Pacific region, you’ll gain insight into local legal obligations and how to practically apply contract law principles in real-world commercial and government settings.

Your Amazing Facilitator
ALAN PRASAD, Principal / Lawyer, iTrain & Consult
With more than 20 years of experience at the helm of award-winning commercial law firms and practice groups, Alan Prasad brings incredible experience to businesses and deals of all shapes and sizes – from small businesses and SMEs through to mid-market companies with global operations.
He has worked with clients and businesses based in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and South Pacific Nations, and has advised on both public and private mergers and acquisitions, as well as cross-border transactions.
Alan seamlessly incorporates his expertise in business sales, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, commercial contracts and international business into his advice. An entrepreneur at heart, Alan has also navigated several business sales, acquisitions and startups of his own. This first-hand experience as a business owner includes a diverse range of industries including FMCG, education and professional services sectors, and alongside his legal expertise, is key to ensuring his advice is always practical, well rounded and commercially sound. Outside the office, Alan is passionate about supporting the environment both locally and abroad. He’s a keen supporter of Landcare Australia’s Coastcare Program and in his spare time, he can often be found adding to his “Countries to Visit Next” list (he’s made quite a dent in it already!).
Full Day Agenda
Contract Law for Non Lawyers Agenda
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One Day Course Agenda
One Day Masterclass Agenda
8:30AM: REGISTRATION | 9:00AM: START
TOPIC 1:
Fundamentals of New Zealand Contract Law & Drafting Essentials
• What makes a contract legally binding under New Zealand law?• Core elements: Offer, acceptance, consideration, intention to create legal relations, and capacity
• The implications of the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 (CCLA)
• Distinguishing between legally binding agreements and informal arrangements
• The shift to plain English drafting and overcoming ambiguity in contracts
• Exercise: Case study to identify valid and invalid contracts under NZ law – group discussion on key legal takeaways.
TOPIC 2: Procurement and Tendering – Legal Considerations in NZ
• Understanding the ‘process contract’ principle in New Zealand tendering law• Legal and ethical obligations for fair process under the Government Procurement Rules
• Managing risk during procurement – probity and transparency in both public and private sectors
• Legal considerations when responding to RFPs and submitting tenders
• Recent case examples: NZ case law that impacted procurement decisions and outcomes.
TOPIC 3: Risky Clauses and How to Navigate Them
• Identifying high-risk clauses: indemnities, termination rights, penalties vs. liquidated damages, force majeure, and limitation of liability• Commonly misunderstood clauses in NZ contracts and what they really mean
• How to negotiate terms that protect your organisation’s interests
• When are clauses considered unfair or unenforceable under NZ law?
• Special focus: The Fair Trading Act 1986 and Unfair Contract Terms provisions – how these impact business-to-business agreements.
TOPIC 4: Contract Disputes & Resolution in NZ
• What happens when contracts go wrong? Overview of remedies for breach of contract
• Introduction to New Zealand’s dispute resolution landscape: litigation, arbitration, and mediation
• Benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) under NZ’s legal system
• Cost, time, and relationship considerations when resolving contractual disputes
• Interactive exercise: Mock mediation session to illustrate dispute resolution dynamics.
For the in-person training courses, lunch, morning and afternoon tea will be provided for all attendees. Morning tea will be at 10:30 am, lunch will be at 12:30 pm afternoon tea will be at 3:30 pm.
Please let The Leadership Institute know if you have any dietary requirements a
minimum of 5 working days before the event.
Key Benefits of Attending
- Understand the basics of contract law, including contract formation and enforceability
- Appreciate how to identify and overcome common problematic clauses before entering into a contract
- Recognise how to discern risky clauses in a contract and how to manage them
- Efficiently draft contract terms that reflect your company’s interests
- Effectively identify and resolve contractual breaches
- Comprehend legal risks when responding or issuing a tender
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
- Contracts
- Procurement
- Purchasing
- Commercial issues
- Assets
- Projects
- Programs
- Business development
- Office supply and coordination
Fuel the Momentum!
“Join us at the Women in Leadership Summit 2024, a dynamic platform for connection, inspiration, and empowerment.
This summit is not just about discussing change; it’s an active force in creating it. Tailored for both emerging leaders and established executives, the summit features a range of exclusive keynote sessions, engaging panel discussions, and interactive Q&A segments, all designed to provide actionable insights for your leadership journey.
With a lineup of distinguished speakers from Australia and around the globe, each session is a fountain of knowledge and inspiration. Immerse yourself in the wisdom of trailblazing women from diverse backgrounds who have overcome challenges, shattered barriers, and crafted legacies. Gain invaluable insights from these pioneers who share not only their successes but also the obstacles and lessons learned along the way.
Seize this unique opportunity to network with professionals and be part of a community driving the future of leadership. Whether you are advancing in your career or steering organisational change, this summit serves as the catalyst for your personal and professional development.”
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Dana Lightbody
Director, The Leadership Institute
Your Keynote Speakers
Leadership potential is within everyone, let us unlock the leader in you.
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Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
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Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Your Keynote Speakers
Leadership potential is within everyone, let us unlock the leader in you.
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
.png?width=212&height=212&name=Frame%2023%20(4).png)
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Value Event Partners

F-magazine
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.

F-magazine
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.

F-magazine
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.

F-magazine
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.

F-magazine
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.
You could say we’re a hit
“I found it very insightful and integral to the work I do in the Public Health sector. It was very interesting to learn the fundamentals of contract law and to better understand concepts I deal with in a day-to-day context.”
“An enormous thank you for today. You’re a great facilitator and I enjoyed the whole day. I appreciate your openness and willingness to take (and answer) questions and your insight into our specific issues was fabulous.”
- Crop Smart
“It was very interesting and extremely relevant for my current priorities. I’m in the process of completing a Request for Tender and drafting a contract for the Agency.”
- Services Australia
“I found your course very useful and am able to apply those techniques in my role”
- Melbourne Water
“Thank you for an enjoyable class on Wednesday, you done well to make the day interactive and engaging. I enjoyed it and learnt a lot.”
- Wiley
“Thanks for making the course enjoyable and easy to understand in layman's terms, it helped me a lot, so well done!”
- TeleResult
“As someone who was offered the course with no previous experience of contract’s but with the aim to hopefully get involved with them – I found your delivery of this course to be simplified enough for my understanding, engaging, with your real-life examples, and going through my notes today has confirmed that I have gained a wealth of knowledge that I did not know before yesterday.”
- medenterprises
“I found it very insightful and integral to the work I do in the Public Health sector. It was very interesting to learn the fundamentals of contract law and to better understand concepts I deal with in a day-to-day context.”
“An enormous thank you for today. You’re a great facilitator and I enjoyed the whole day. I appreciate your openness and willingness to take (and answer) questions and your insight into our specific issues was fabulous.”
- Crop Smart
“It was very interesting and extremely relevant for my current priorities. I’m in the process of completing a Request for Tender and drafting a contract for the Agency.”
- Services Australia
“I found your course very useful and am able to apply those techniques in my role”
- Melbourne Water
“Thank you for an enjoyable class on Wednesday, you done well to make the day interactive and engaging. I enjoyed it and learnt a lot.”
- Wiley
“Thanks for making the course enjoyable and easy to understand in layman's terms, it helped me a lot, so well done!”
- TeleResult
“As someone who was offered the course with no previous experience of contract’s but with the aim to hopefully get involved with them – I found your delivery of this course to be simplified enough for my understanding, engaging, with your real-life examples, and going through my notes today has confirmed that I have gained a wealth of knowledge that I did not know before yesterday.”
- medenterprises
“I found it very insightful and integral to the work I do in the Public Health sector. It was very interesting to learn the fundamentals of contract law and to better understand concepts I deal with in a day-to-day context.”
“An enormous thank you for today. You’re a great facilitator and I enjoyed the whole day. I appreciate your openness and willingness to take (and answer) questions and your insight into our specific issues was fabulous.”
- Crop Smart
“It was very interesting and extremely relevant for my current priorities. I’m in the process of completing a Request for Tender and drafting a contract for the Agency.”
- Services Australia
“I found your course very useful and am able to apply those techniques in my role”
- Melbourne Water
“Thank you for an enjoyable class on Wednesday, you done well to make the day interactive and engaging. I enjoyed it and learnt a lot.”
- Wiley
“Thanks for making the course enjoyable and easy to understand in layman's terms, it helped me a lot, so well done!”
- TeleResult
“As someone who was offered the course with no previous experience of contract’s but with the aim to hopefully get involved with them – I found your delivery of this course to be simplified enough for my understanding, engaging, with your real-life examples, and going through my notes today has confirmed that I have gained a wealth of knowledge that I did not know before yesterday.”
- medenterprises
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2025 MELBOURNE
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28 - 31 May, 2025
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Marvel Stadium, 740 Bourke St, Docklands VIC, 3008