Stephanie Ambler — Barrister & Family Law Specialist

P v W [2023] NZFC 7537 (Family Court). Stephanie appeared as senior counsel in respect of another successful application for compensation for economic disparity under s15 of the Property (Relationships) Act.

V v V [2022] NZFC 8027 (Family Court). Stephanie appeared as senior counsel in a successful application to set aside a contracting out agreement entered into under s21 of the Property (Relationships) Act.

S v S [2022] NZFC 8755 (Family Court). Stephanie appeared as senior counsel in a successful application for compensation for economic disparity under s15 of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976.

W v H [2021] NZFC 9742 (Family Court). Stephanie appeared as senior counsel in a successful opposition to an application for occupation and tenancy orders in respect of a property owned by a trust.

Re Moore [2020] NZHC 2977 (High Court, Muir J). Stephanie appeared as senior counsel in a successful application for orders validating a draft unsigned will after the will-maker passed away before she was able to formally execute the will.

Kirby v Kirby [2020] NZHC 401 (High Court, Venning J). Stephanie appeared as senior counsel in a successful application to obtain discovery of documents in an estate claim. The estate had been left to a family trust and nothing had been left to the deceased's children.

L v S [2019] NZFC 8031 (Family Court). Stephanie appeared as senior counsel in a successful application for an order dissolving marriage following a defended hearing where the separation date was at issue.

G v T [2019] NZFC 8493 (Family Court). Stephanie appeared as senior counsel in a successful opposition to a claim that the couple were in a qualifying de facto relationship, which would have resulted in an equal division of relationship property.

Scott v Williams [2018] NZSC 37 (Supreme Court). Stephanie appeared in the Supreme Court with David Goddard QC in a successful opposition to an application for interest on an economic disparity payment. This is the leading case on whether interest should be paid from the date of separation when the court makes an economic disparity award under s 15 of the Property (Relationships) Act.

Green v Green [2016] NZCA 486 (Court of Appeal). Stephanie appeared as junior counsel for Alice Piper, one of the beneficiaries of the Hugh Green Trusts.   The Court of Appeal decision is an  important case on the scope of appellate review and the law on undue influence.

Clayton v Clayton [2016] NZSC 30, [2016] 1 NZLR 590, (2016) 4 NZTR 26-003, [2016] NZFLR 189 (Supreme Court).  Stephanie was the instructing solicitor for Mr Clayton in his appeal to the Supreme Court.  This well known case concerned whether powers within a trust deed could constitute “property” under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 and a claim under s182 of the Family Proceedings Act 1980 for orders against trust assets.

Thompson v Thompson [2015] NZSC 26, [2015] 1 NZLR 593, (2015) 4 NZTR 25-006, [2015] NZFLR 150, (2015) 30 FRNZ 123 (Supreme Court). Stephanie appeared as junior counsel for Mrs Thompson bringing an end to an 10-year relationship property dispute with a successful result. This decision recognises the importance of domestic contributions in lengthy marriages.

Green v Green [2015] NZHC 1218; [2015] NZHC 1526 (High Court, Winklemann J).  Stephanie appeared as junior counsel for Alice Piper, one of the beneficiaries of the Hugh Green Trusts.  The High Court decision saw the removal of purported trustees and directors of the Hugh Green Group on the grounds that their appointments were invalid, and their continuation in office was not in the interest of beneficiaries due to their hostility towards Alice and her mother Maryanne Green.

Thompson v Thompson [2014] NZCA 117, [2014] 2 NZLR 741, [2014] NZFLR 507, (2014) 29 FRNZ 810 (Court of Appeal). Stephanie appeared as junior counsel in the substantive appeal under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 and argued the opposition to the appeal from the High Court decision of Justice Andrews granting Mrs Thompson a stay of enforcement of Family Court orders.