AMINZ Associate Programme
Enhance your practice I Learn at your own pace I Build a membership pathway
A professional education course, primarily delivered online and completed at your own pace.
Looking to build your knowledge and skillset? The AMINZ Associate programme may be the answer.
The programme is jointly run by AMINZ and the College of Law.
Who’s it for?
It is ideal for those who have basic understanding of the New Zealand constitutional framework and the principles of dispute resolution, but would like to enhance this further and fill in any gaps in their knowledge.
It is particularly useful for individuals who are working, or plan to work, within the New Zealand dispute resolution framework, but do not currently have the relevant qualifications or experience.
It is also designed to provide a membership pathway for those wishing to become credentialed members of AMINZ. Individuals can become an Associate member independent of completing the Associate Programme, as long as the AMINZ Associate requirements are met. If you do not currently meet these requirements, undertaking the programme will ensure you have the relevant knowledge and understanding of the dispute resolution landscape to do so.
Why undertake the programme?
Enhance your current practice
Identify and fill any crucial knowledge gaps, and get the understanding and experience you need to work at the top of your game.
Complete it at your own pace
Based primarily online, you will benefit from the convenience and effective learning opportunities in a programme created and backed by New Zealand’s leading dispute resolution practitioners.
Create a pathway to Associate Membership
Gain recognition as a key player in New Zealand’s leading body for dispute resolution professionals and access to all Associate Member benefits.
Programme Structure
The programme is comprised of four semesters in total, with three semesters based entirely online, and the fourth semester taking the form of an interactive multi-day training course focused on either mediation or arbitration. Each of the first three semesters have 10 individual modules, and each module will take approximately 4 hours to complete. The pass mark for each module is set at 60%.
Depending on your previous experience and relevant qualifications, you may not be required to complete all four semesters. If you are unsure which semesters you are required to complete, we will work with you to ensure you have the necessary education pathway plan in place to get the most out of the programme.
For Semesters One, Two and Three, you will have a maximum of six months to complete each semester from the date your registration is processed. If you are intending to complete the whole programme, you do not need to have completed the first three semesters before doing the practical course that makes up Semester Four. The practical courses run at various times throughout the year, and we usually recommend that you sign up for a Semester Four practical course when there is a session taking place at a convenient time and location near you.
What topics are covered?
-
Sources of development of the constitution
Rule of Law
Treaty of Waitangi
Introduction to Māori Land Law
Courts
Judicial Review
Bill of Rights
Official Information, Human Rights and Privacy
Statutory interpretation
Business structures
-
Basics of Contract Law
Introduction to Contract Legislation
Invalid contracts and mistake
Contractual Remedies and Frustration of Contracts
New Zealand Land Transfer System
Easements and Covenants
Leases, licenses, cross leases & unit titles
Basics of the Law of Negligence
Negligent misstatement and economic loss
Government liability in building cases
-
ADR in context, and negotiation
Facilitation and mediation
Online Dispute Resolution, conciliation, and ethics
Legal and ethical issues of mediation
Introduction to determinative processes
Arbitration 1 – History and overview
Arbitration 2 – Establishing the process
Arbitration 3 – Process from preliminary meeting to hearing
Arbitration 4 – The award, appeals and enforcement
Adjudications under the Construction Contracts Act 2002
-
Semester Four consists of a practical learning course.
Participants will complete either the Arbitration Skills Intensive programme or the Mediation Skills Intensive programme, depending on their area of interest in dispute resolution. These multi-day executive programmes teach critical dispute resolution skills in New Zealand, and are run at various dates throughout the year.
The Arbitration Skills Intensive brings together top arbitration practitioners. Over three days, attendees will undertake informative, practical sessions and workshops that will allow them to engage in an arbitral process confidently and effectively.
The Mediation Skills Intensive focuses, over a five-day executive course, on the stages of the mediation process, identifying and working with various negotiation styles and methods of facilitating problem solving. It provides great opportunities to practice these new skills through practical exercises.
