About Me
Qualifications | Recent Cases | Publications
My Philosophy of Law
My legal practice is based on my fundamental beliefs about the practice of law. These beliefs have been informed by family influences, my career in early childhood education, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the requirement for all businesses to adopt a human rights approach under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and a commitment to celebrating diversity in the legal profession.
For ten years, I worked as an early childhood teacher, implementing the early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki which requires educators to take a holistic approach to learning. This approach is reflected in the principles of wellbeing, belonging, communication, contribution and exploration. All of these principles are relevant to effective legal practice.
The Treaty of Waitangi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important constitutional document. It gives legitimacy to all who live and work here. The principles of partnership, active protection and providing redress have assisted in improving relations between the Crown and ngā iwi Māori. They are also relevant to finding solutions for civil disputes.
The UNGPs for Business and Human Rights require businesses (including legal businesses) to respect the human rights of others, to avoid infringing on the human rights of others and to address adverse human rights impacts. I believe that this approach to working with others could provide a pathway for the legal profession to address current concerns relating to discrimination and sexual harassment.
These are the influences that have lead me to develop a practice in dispute resolution and civil litigation which addresses the lack of access to justice, a community-based and collaborative model of law and the need for lawyers to make a positive contribution to their communities and to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms.
My Practice
In addition to working in private practice for law firms in Christchurch and Wellington, I worked as research counsel for the Christchurch District Court between 2010-2012 and was employed by Community Law Canterbury as Supervising Solicitor of the Residential Advisory Service between 2014 and 2016 (a service set up to provide free legal advice and advocacy to Canterbury homeowners affected by the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-2011).
I have acted for clients across a full range of legal issues arising from the Canterbury and Kaikoura earthquakes. I have also acted for clients in employment matters, including personal grievance claims, health and safety and privacy issues. I have represented clients in mediation and restorative facilitations and in litigation up to Supreme Court.
I have adopted a human rights approach which is essentially about respecting human dignity and empowering affected people. I am also a signatory to the New Zealand Law Society Gender Equality Charter.
Qualifications
I graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree with first class honours from the University of Canterbury in 2010 and a Master of Laws degree with first class honours from the University of Canterbury in 2012. I was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court in Christchurch in 2010.
Professional Memberships
I am a member of the New Zealand Bar Association and a member of AMINZ
Publications
J Goddard “Access to Justice – Working Collaboratively Towards A New Norm” (www.aminz.org.nz, 13 July 2021)
A Zaki “New disaster insurance model pits unfair for homeowners, lawyer says” (www.rnz.co.nz, 9 July 2021)
M Van Beynan “EQC 10 years after the 2011 earthquake: Has it transformed or only been tweaked?” (www.stuff.co.nz, 20 February 2021)
J Goddard “New model will limit access to justice” (www.stuff.co.nz, 25 November 2020)
J Goddard “Teacher Misconduct, The Right to Silence and the Duty of Good Faith: Implications for Boards of Trustees and Teachers” (2011) 17 Canterbury Law Review 251.
J Goddard “Hunting for Happy Feet in Honolulu: The Elusive Struggle for Pay Equity – A Comparative View” (2012) 37 New Zealand Journal of Employment Relations 118.
J Goddard “Adopting a Health and Safety Framework for the Assessment and Remediation of Earthquake Prone Buildings (2018) 43(3) New Zealand Journal of Employment Relations 18.
J Goddard “RAS 3rd Anniversary” (2016) 22 Canterbury Tales 10.
J Goddard “Equal Pay Claims: The Conversation Continues” [2015] ELB 1.
J Goddard “Introduction to RAS” (2014) 20 Canterbury Tales 10.
J Goddard “Equal Pay Act Claims: A New Conversation” [2013] Employment Law Bulletin 111.
J Goddard “Earthquake Cases” [2013] NZLJ 229.
J Goddard et al International Guide to Money Laundering: Law and Practice (Chapter 31 (New Zealand)) (4th ed)(2013).
My Philosophy of Law
Access to Justice for all
I firmly believe that there is requirement for all businesses to adopt a human rights approach under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
Adopting the UN Framework for Business and Human Rights
The UNGPs for Business and Human Rights require businesses (including legal businesses) to respect the human rights of others, to avoid infringing on the human rights of others and to address adverse human rights impacts. I believe that this approach to working with others could provide a pathway for the legal profession to address current concerns relating to discrimination and sexual harassment.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important constitutional document. It gives legitimacy to all who live and work here. The principles of partnership, active protection and providing redress have assisted in improving relations between the Crown and ngā iwi Māori. They are also relevant to finding solutions for civil disputes.
I can trace my origins as a barrister back to my grandparents who trained and worked as lawyers in Warsaw, Poland in the 1930s. Other family members have also had successful legal careers.
These influences that have lead me to develop a practice in dispute resolution and civil litigation which addresses the lack of access to justice, a community-based and collaborative model of law and the need for lawyers to make a difference to their communities and to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms.
3 Little Known Facts about Me
Early career in childhood education
For ten years, I worked as an early childhood teacher, implementing the early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki which requires educators to take a holistic approach to learning. This approach is reflected in the principles of wellbeing, belonging, communication, contribution and exploration. All of these principles are relevant to my legal practice.
Fluent speaker of te reo Maori
I became a fluent speaker of te reo Māori in 1990 and I have been a keen exponent of kapa haka, worked as a volunteer at kōhanga reo centres (Māori language nests) and participated in numerous hui.
Radio Active DJ
I worked as a DJ on student radio shows in Wellington and Dunedin, championing alternative music and broadcasting New Zealand music shows.