Electronic discovery in New Zealand has grown significantly over the last year and there is a clear need for an event which allows NZ practitioners to develop their knowledge of this evolving area.

Ernst & Young and E-Discovery Consulting have joined forces to present the Managing eDiscovery in New Zealand Conference. The conference is taking place at the Stamford Plaza in Auckland on Wednesday the 13th of February 2013.

This conference is the first of its kind in New Zealand as it is specifically designed to look at the basics of electronic discovery, as well as providing a practical insight into what is required by the new discovery rules.

The new discovery rules establish a framework to assist parties reach agreement on discovery issues in a proportionate and cost effective manner. To successfully conduct e-discovery under the new discovery rules it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the entire electronic discovery process.

New challenges of electronic information

The E-Discovery process does present many with new challenges and requires new skills from what many have been accustomed to. Over recent years there has been an exponential growth in both the volume and sources of electronic information, where nearly all information now originates in electronic form.

“E-Discovery is not just scanning paper documents”

Managing electronic documents in the same way as paper documents will only lead to greater inefficiencies and increased costs.

The final discovery set may only be 100-200 documents, but to get to these documents can be a complicated and costly process. It is important to learn how to filter and cull information so documents can be reviewed and produced as efficiently and cost effectively as possible

For many they are not fully aware of the practical issues involved and solutions for them to manage electronic information. Unless legal professionals are more informed about the electronic discovery process, it can be very complicated, time consuming and costly process. This lack of awareness can add avoidable costs to the discovery process.

Back to basics

The Managing eDiscovery in New Zealand Conference has been specifically tailored to suit the New Zealand e-discovery landscape. The event will look to equip legal professionals with the further skills and the necessary grounding in electronic discovery.

Each stage of the EDRM (Electronic Discovery Reference Model) will be explained together with how it fits with the new High Court requirements.

Programme update

The conference will provide a practical insight into the entire e-discovery process, taking delegates back to the basics including a step by step guide to –

• each phase involved in the e-discovery process
• efficient practices for managing evidence in electronic form
• the tips and pitfalls when collecting, processing and presenting electronic evidence
• understanding and managing the of costs in e-discovery
• Insourcing v’s outsourcing options
• a look at regulatory investigations and the eDiscovery process

A number of Panel discussions are scheduled where delegates can hear from leaders in the industry that are faced with similar issues and to listen to how they have responded to these issues. Those attending will have ample opportunity to ask practical questions from the Panel and fellow speakers.

Speakers

The conference will feature leading eDiscovery experts and practitioners from across New Zealand and Australia.  The speakers provide valuable insight with expert practical experiences of the tips and pitfalls of conducting electronic discovery.

Judge David Harvey is confirmed as the Keynote speaker, where he will provide a judicial perspective about the new discovery rules. Judge Harvey’s technical background allows him to provide expert opinion of how technology can assist in achieving more accurate, efficient and cost effective discovery.

Confirmed speakers include –

• His Honour Judge Harvey –  District Court
• Kiri Harkess, Associate – McElroys
• Lynn Holtz, Project Services Supervisor – Chapman Tripp
• Sarah Cordner, Senior Manager Fraud Investigations & Dispute Services – Ernst & Young
• Guy Burgess, CEO – LawFlow
• Warren Dunn, Head of Forensic Technology & Discovery Services – Ernst & Young
• Andrew King, Legal Consultant – E Discovery Consulting
• Alan Watkins, Senior Systems Engineering Specialist – Symantec
• Shane Jansz, Sales Manager – Asia Pacific – Nuix 

Meet with technology and service providers

A designated exhibition area has been set aside to provide delegates with an opportunity to meet with leading technology and service providers. Currently there are a number of global e-discovery providers as well as local providers to the legal industry that will be attending the event.

Since the new discovery rules, there have been a number of providers that have expanded their services further into the New Zealand eDiscovery space. The conference will be the first opportunity for new players to showcase their products and services, which should be beneficial for those attending to explore further options.

Who should attend?

The Conference has been designed to provide important knowledge for anyone that is involved in litigation, or those that want to know more about methods to manage electronic information. Registered attendees currently include lawyers and legal support staff from large and small law firms, as well as government and corporate organisations.

With the same principles applying to electronic discovery whether they involve small or large scale matters, the conference will feature speakers and content to provide valuable information to prepare everyone to tackle their e-discovery obligations.

Those attending will obtain a greater awareness of the basics of the e-discovery process which will be a significant advantage in tackling their next e-discovery exercise.

Registration

Registration information and further details about the conference can be found on the dedicated conference page.