Alan Johnston

I am a Voice of Child Specialist with Fair Way. I was admitted to the Bar in February 1982. I have been practising in the Family Court virtually since its creation and accordingly have experience in all areas of the Court’s jurisdiction other than mental health. I am frequently appointed lawyer for child in parenting, and guardianship cases and in care or protection matters under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989.

I am also regularly appointed to represent disabled adults under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 and I  am a preferred appointee by the Central Authority under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. I appear regularly in the Family Court and occasionally in the High Court. In earlier days, I also practised as a criminal defence lawyer and conducted some 50 or so jury trials in the District and High Courts. As a diversion from family law, I also undertake residential conveyancing and some estate and trust matters.