Foundations and Advanced Practice — attend either day, or both.
Most people who manage contracts in Aotearoa were never trained in them. Two plain-English days with commercial lawyer Alan Prasad, grounded in New Zealand law — the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017, the Fair Trading Act and the Government Procurement Rules.
In-person prices shown at First In rates, in New Zealand dollars. Live online from NZ$1,199. See all prices
Getting it signed off
Need your manager’s approval?
Send them a ready-made request — the course, dates, CPD hours and current price, already written. It opens in your email so you can edit it before you send.
You signed it. Or you approved it, or you inherited it from someone who left. Either way — somewhere in those thirty pages is a clause nobody read closely, sitting quietly until the day it matters.
Most people who manage contracts in Aotearoa learned on the job. There is a difference between reading a contract and shaping one, and that gap is where the expensive mistakes live: the indemnity that was never capped, the cancellation right that only works one way, the email exchange that turned out to be a binding variation.
This masterclass closes that gap in plain English, grounded in New Zealand law. Attend either day on its own, or take both and go from confident to genuinely commanding.
Alan brings a trans-Tasman perspective too — where New Zealand and Australian law align, where they diverge, and the assumptions that catch people out contracting across the ditch.
CPD points
6 hrs per day · 12 for both
NZ lawyers may count it towards the 10 CPD hours required each year. The Law Society doesn’t accredit individual activities, so you record it in your own CPD plan. CA ANZ members may claim it as verifiable CPD. Every delegate receives a certificate of attendance.
The CPD year closes on 31 March — these March dates land just before it.
Full agenda
What you will cover
For anyone who deals with contracts but has never been formally trained in them. No prior legal knowledge assumed.
Assumes working familiarity with contract fundamentals. If you have done Contract Law for Non-Lawyers before — with us or elsewhere — Day Two stands on its own.
8:30 REGISTRATION · 9:00 START · 5:00 CLOSE
1Fundamentals of New Zealand Contract Law & Drafting EssentialsWhat a contract actually is under New Zealand law, and when you have already made one.
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
Distinguishing legally binding agreements from informal arrangements
The shift to plain English drafting, and overcoming ambiguity
Exercise: A case study identifying valid and invalid contracts under New Zealand law, with group discussion on the key legal takeaways.
2Procurement and Tendering — Legal Considerations in New ZealandWhere probity and legal risk sit in the process, before you issue or respond.
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 public and private sectors
Legal considerations when responding to RFPs and submitting tenders
Recent New Zealand case law that has affected procurement decisions and outcomes
3Risky Clauses and How to Navigate ThemThe clauses that cause the most damage, and how to handle them.
Identifying high-risk clauses: indemnities, termination rights, penalties versus liquidated damages, force majeure and limitation of liability
Commonly misunderstood clauses in New Zealand contracts, and what they really mean
How to negotiate terms that protect your organisation’s interests
When are clauses considered unfair or unenforceable under New Zealand law?
The Fair Trading Act 1986 and the unfair contract terms provisions in business-to-business agreements
4Contract Disputes and Resolution in New ZealandWhat your options actually are when the other side stops performing.
What happens when contracts go wrong — remedies for breach under New Zealand law
New Zealand’s dispute resolution landscape: litigation, arbitration and mediation
The benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution under New Zealand’s legal system
Cost, time and relationship considerations when resolving contractual disputes
Exercise: A mock mediation session illustrating dispute resolution dynamics in practice.
1Advanced Formation, Interpretation and Risk AllocationHow contracts really operate once the paperwork is disputed or unclear.
Formation through a commercial lens — when formation is disputed
Battle of the forms and conflicting terms: whose terms prevail?
Incorporation of terms — standard terms, policies, emails and course of dealing
Interpreting contracts in practice: ambiguity, context and commercial purpose
Entire agreement clauses, misrepresentation under the CCLA, mistake and estoppel
Exercise: Analyse a commercial scenario involving conflicting terms and determine whether a binding contract exists, and on what terms.
2Strategic Drafting and NegotiationMoving from reading contracts to shaping outcomes.
Drafting for clarity, certainty and enforceability — avoiding unintended consequences
Strategic use of definitions, schedules and boilerplate
Negotiation frameworks: positions versus interests
Identifying deal-breakers versus negotiables
Leveraging bargaining power, managing counterparties, and redlining efficiently
Exercise: Review and mark up a complex clause set, improving your risk position and the clarity of the drafting.
3Complex Clauses and Advanced Risk ManagementA deep dive into the clauses that are always heavily negotiated.
Advanced indemnities — scope, limitations, caps and exclusions
Limitation of liability: drafting enforceable caps
Consequential loss — what it really means and how New Zealand courts interpret it
Liquidated damages versus penalties, and warranties versus representations
Force majeure, change in law, insurance and risk transfer
Exercise: Identify and restructure the problematic clauses in a high-risk commercial contract.
4Contract Management, Cancellation and EnforcementWhat happens after signing — managing performance and protecting your position.
Contract lifecycle management from execution to completion
Early warning signs of breach or dispute
Cancellation under the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 — when the right arises and how to exercise it
Notices, cure periods and procedural compliance
Remedies, relief, without prejudice communications and settlement strategy
Exercise: Work through a breach scenario and determine the best commercial and legal response.
5Advanced Procurement, Probity and Public Sector ContractingWhere the real exposure sits when you are buying, tendering or spending public money.
The Government Procurement Rules in practice — obligations, exemptions and where agencies get caught
Probity in practice: conflicts, confidentiality and fair process
The ‘process contract’ revisited — advanced implications and how to exclude it
Handling unsuccessful tenderers, debriefs and challenges to a procurement decision
Contract variations and scope creep — the most common source of procurement disputes
Panel arrangements, syndicated contracts and all-of-government agreements
Exercise: Review a live procurement scenario, identify the probity and legal risks, and decide how you would run the process differently.
6Dispute Resolution StrategyDesigning the exit before you need it.
Drafting effective dispute resolution clauses
Choosing between litigation, arbitration under the Arbitration Act 1996, and ADR
Adjudication under the Construction Contracts Act 2002 — when it applies and what it means
Central & local governmentConstruction, engineering & infrastructureCorporate & professional servicesHealth, aged care & communityEducation & trainingNot-for-profit & iwi organisationsRetail, manufacturing & primary industries
Your facilitator
Alan Prasad
Principal & Lawyer, iTrain & Consult
With more than 20 years at the helm of award-winning commercial law firms and practice groups, Alan has advised on deals of every shape and size — from small businesses and SMEs through to mid-market companies with global operations. He works regularly with New Zealand clients and across the wider South Pacific, including cross-border transactions between Aotearoa and Australia.
An entrepreneur at heart, Alan has bought, sold and started businesses of his own across FMCG, education and professional services. He has signed the contracts, negotiated the exits and lived with the consequences — which is why his advice is practical and commercially grounded rather than purely theoretical.
What delegates enjoyed
Plain English. Real examples. A day that flies.
“We were surprised by how much we learned during the training. It would normally take two or three days to cover all these topics, but the dynamic nature of the course, the quality of the material and the experienced trainer made all the difference, and we managed to cover all the relevant topics in just one day.”Delegate, Christchurch, 2025
19 of 20delegates at our two 2024 courses rated Alan’s knowledge of the topics 5 out of 5.
“It was great. Answers were pitched at the level that was understood. Wide knowledge range — this meant there was always an actual example. I will admit to being a bit skeptical that an Australian presenter would be able to deliver on NZ Law. My skepticism was misplaced.”
Delegate, Auckland, 2025
“The trainer demonstrated a thorough understanding of the topics covered and answered all our questions very competently, which made us feel confident.”
Delegate, Christchurch, 2025
“He was interested in hearing our views, who we worked for and the challenges we faced in the contract space.”
Delegate, Christchurch, 2025
“Alan was very engaging, both during the presentations and on the breaks in between. His experience, and wealth of knowledge about the subject matter made this one of the best training courses I’ve attended.”
Delegate, Australia, 2024
“Great knowledge across all subjects covered, willing to engage in conversation when asked questions.”
Delegate, Christchurch, 2025
“For what can be considered a ‘dry’ subject, he kept us all engaged. He had knowledge, humour and the patience to answer our questions and give examples of real life experiences.”
Delegate, Australia, 2024
“I found Alan very knowledgeable on the topics.”
Delegate, Auckland, 2025
“He cleared up a lot of topics that I was unclear about for years.”
Delegate, Australia, 2024
“Great course with the right content.”
Delegate, Christchurch, 2025
“Fantastic course and Alan was so knowledgeable and engaging. I’ve been recommending the course to everyone in my professional network.”
Delegate, Australia, 2024
“He was engaging, witty and made it all easy to understand.”
Delegate, Christchurch, 2025
Pricing
Book early, pay less
All prices are in New Zealand dollars and exclude GST.
Booking 3 to 9 people? Group discounts apply to every price above. Ten or more? Ask about in-house delivery.
Free download
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Everything in one PDF — useful to read properly, or to attach when you ask for sign-off.
Both days’ agenda, topic by topic
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On the day
In the room or on screen — same course
Contract law training in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch
Registration opens at 8:30am and each day runs 9:00am to 5:00pm. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided — let us know any dietary requirements at least 5 working days ahead. Dress code is business casual.
Auckland · 9–10 MarCliftons Auckland, Level 4, 45 Queen Street
Wellington · 15–16 MarCliftons Wellington, Level 28, 100 Willis Street
Christchurch · 17–18 MarBreakfree on Cashel, 165 Cashel Street
Online contract law course · live on Zoom, 23 & 24 March
Delivered live from 9:00am to 5:00pm New Zealand time. You take part in every discussion and exercise and receive the same certificate and CPD hours.
You’ll need a computer with a stable connection, a quiet room, a webcam (we ask everyone to join on camera) and headphones with a microphone.
Also running in Australia. Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and online in February 2027. Teams on both sides of the Tasman? Ask us about a combined booking.See the Australian course
Questions
Before you book
Is this course based on New Zealand law?
Yes. It is built around the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017, the Fair Trading Act 1986 and the Government Procurement Rules. Day Two covers cancellation under the CCLA, the Arbitration Act 1996 and adjudication under the Construction Contracts Act 2002. Alan also flags where New Zealand and Australian law differ.
Do I need any legal background?
No. Day One assumes no prior legal knowledge — it is built for people who manage contracts without formal training. Day Two assumes you already work with contracts day to day.
Can I book Day Two on its own?
Yes. Each day is separately bookable. If you have attended Contract Law for Non-Lawyers before — with us or elsewhere — Day Two stands on its own.
Is the online course the same as attending in person?
Yes. It runs live on Zoom from 9:00am to 5:00pm New Zealand time, you take part in all discussion and exercises, and you receive the same certificate and CPD hours. We ask everyone to join on camera.
Does it count towards my CPD?
Each day is 6 CPD hours, 12 for both. New Zealand lawyers may count it towards the 10 hours of CPD required each year; the Law Society does not accredit individual activities, so you record it in your own CPD plan. Chartered Accountants ANZ members may claim it as verifiable CPD. The CPD year closes on 31 March.
What is included on the day?
Registration opens at 8:30am and the day runs 9:00am to 5:00pm. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided. Please tell us any dietary requirements at least 5 working days before.
Can a colleague attend one day and me the other?
Yes — split registrations can be arranged. Contact us and we will set it up.
What if I can’t make it?
You can send a substitute at no cost, or transfer to another Leadership Institute event. Cancellations emailed to us receive a credit note valid for 12 months; within 14 days of the event the credit note is less a NZ$300 service fee. We do not provide cash refunds.
Do you offer group discounts or in-house training?
Yes. Groups of 3–4 save 10% and 5–9 save 15%. For ten or more, we run the course in-house for your team — at your office or online, on dates that suit you. Email info@theleadershipinstitute.com.au or call +61 2 8294 2044.