|
Frances has been a
solicitor in the Māori Legal Group of
Kensington Swan since 2007. Prior to joining the firm, Frances
worked as a Policy Advisor on foreshore and seabed issues for the
Ministry of Justice.
She has a detailed understanding of a range of Māori
legal issues, and
is well placed to advise Māori groups,
or other entities such as local government, who are required to
address these issues in carrying out their functions.
Frances
has a wealth of experience in negotiation and settlement work. She
has assisted several iwi clients at all
stages of the Treaty settlement negotiation process; from achieving
large natural grouping recognition, to mandating, drafting Terms of
Negotiation and other key documents, arranging funding from relevant
agencies, researching and arguing their claims, and finally
negotiating with the Crown over the substantive issues.
Frances
has a particular interest and depth of knowledge in all aspects of
natural resources law, including Resource Management Act, fisheries,
and foreshore and seabed issues. She has represented clients in
Treaty negotiations of a new and challenging nature in the resource
management area. Of particular importance are the recent and ground
breaking Waikato
River
negotiations where Frances acted for
a Waikato River
iwi and assisted them in achieving a River
settlement.
In addition, Frances
has utilised her expert knowledge of the foreshore and seabed regime
to assist local government and other private entities in respect to
coastal ownership issues, harbour and port related issues.
Frances
also specialises in advising clients on issues surrounding the
development of post-settlement governance entities, and has advised Māori public bodies, such as Māori Trustee, with complex structural
advice, and advice on the legislative regime.
Frances
has also assisted iwi clients to present
their claims in front of the Waitangi Tribunal, including during the
Te Arawa Settlement Urgent Inquiry.
|
Home
