2016 High Court Annual Review
The 2016 High Court Annual Review has been released. The national court caseload was steady overall in 2016, but there were significant rises in new filings for earthquake-related general proceedings in Christchurch and civil appeals in Auckland, arising from the Auckland Unitary Plan.
The High Court operates registries and sits in 18 locations but centralisation of case management continued. Cases filed in New Plymouth and Gisborne are now case managed from the Wellington registry. Both of these registries now form part of the Wellington circuit for judges.
As at 31 December 2016, the complement remained unchanged at 46 judges made up of 39 judges and seven associate judges. During the year:
- Four judges left the Court. There were two retirements: Keane J in June and Faire J in December. Two judges were appointed to the Court of Appeal: Asher J in July and Brown J in September.
- Four new judges were sworn in: Cull J in June, Downs J and Fitzgerald J in August and Gordon J in December. Three of the new judges are based in Auckland. Cull J is based in Wellington.
The Court’s judgment timeliness statistics remain at similar levels to previous years. The standard of 90% of judgments delivered within three months of the hearing or last submissions, was met.
The full report can be viewed on the Courts of New Zealand website by clicking here.
