Madeleine Hawkesby

Special Counsel

Madeleine is a lawyer in the Christchurch employment law team. Her expertise covers all aspects of employment law, from disciplinary process, performance management, incapacity, investigations, restructuring, drafting employment agreements and policies, and mediations.

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She is a trusted industry expert in the education sector where she advises not only on employment law matters but also has experience in privacy law, parent complaints, health and safety, student disciplinary matters, ombudsmen investigations, Official Information Act requests, independent investigations, performance appraisal, school governance and conflict resolution. She has been appointed by the Ministry of Education as a Limited Statutory Manager or Commissioner in a number of schools. She has developed a unique and in-depth understanding of the school environment and the complex legal issues faced, and most importantly how to successfully navigate them.

Madeleine has also built a reputation as an independent investigator for high profile, sensitive and complex issues.

She is an Associate of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand Inc, and has developed particular expertise in mediating and facilitating conflict resolution solutions between employees. She is also a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Madeleine enjoys working in collaboration with her clients to provide practical, strategic and solution focused advice.

Recent highlights

  • Conducting a high profile review into employment and HR practices at ARISE Church.

  • Conducting a mediation/facilitation process between employees in a school in order to resolve conflict .

  • Conducting a disciplinary process for a large secondary school regarding serious misconduct by a teacher.

  • Being appointed by the Ministry of Education to conduct an investigation into conduct of a Director at a preschool.

  • Being appointed by the Ministry of Education as a Commissioner to an Area School.

  • Being appointed by the Ministry of Education as a Limited Statutory Manger in a number of schools.

  • Responding to an Official Information Act request in a school environment.

  • Responding to an Ombudsman investigation in a school environment.

  • Conducting a performance management process in a school environment.

  • Appointed as an independent investigator regarding a complaint at a High School.

Madeleine's insights

Navigating court orders and privacy issues

1 August 2024

Academic freedom and health and safety – one does not trump the other

31 July 2024

Optimising the performance of your school board - practical tips and strategies from the trenches

11 March 2024

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They drive our client relationships and connections with our community, and underpin our achievements.

Enterprising

  • She is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

  • Madeleine is an Associate of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand Inc

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