Legal Advisory Group

Member

The Legal Advisor Group is chaired by Miriam Dean KC and convened on an adhoc basis as required.

Chair – Miriam Dean CNZM KC

Miriam’s many years of experience in dispute resolution, review work and governance allow her to take on the most difficult and diverse issues. She is a King’s Counsel; a director of Ōtākaro Limited (which delivers the Crown-led anchor projects in Christchurch), Chorus Limited (providing the country’s telecommunications infrastructure (fibre and copper) nationwide), REINZ – Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (a membership organisation representing real estate professionals nationwide) and chair of the Banking Ombudsman Scheme (an approved body to resolve complaints between banks and customers); and has led many government and private reviews, including reviewing in 2015 the Accident Compensation Corporation’s dispute reduction processes.

She has also served on many other governing advisory boards or committees including as a member of the Department of Internal Affairs Advisory Board. Miriam played a leading role in setting up the internal dispute resolution processes of the Greater Christchurch Earthquakes Claims Resolution Service and those of the now wider and national New Zealand Claims Resolution Service.

Latest meeting minutes

Meeting administration

Conflicts of interest

1. No new conflicts of interest were declared.

Items

GCCRS operational

1. An update on the GCCRS Directors Report was provided, noting that customer satisfaction remained strong.
2. GCCRS is reviewing all cases with the service since the launch date to try and progress these cases to a conclusion.
3. A staffing update was provided to the group.

NZCRS

1. An update on IDRS matters was provided.
2. A plan is to be prepared how best to undertake the work to provide for dispute resolution processes for the NZCRS.
3. Noted that the Chair of the CEIT has visited GCCRS to provide an update on the tribunal’s work and will be asked to attend the next meeting.

IDRS update

1. An update on IDRS matters was provided.
2. The panel suggested that facilitation can be provided for cases where the parties to NZCRS’ claims, agree pending formal adoption of such processes.

3. Review of agenda

Next steps

1. The next Legal Advisory Group meeting date is scheduled for 13 December 2022; it was noted this will most likely be brought forward.

Meeting closed: 2.10pm