Public release of Te Puna Manawa Whenua | Māori Land Court Bench Book
14 MayTe Kura Kaiwhakawā | The Institute of Judicial Studies has today published Te Puna Manawa Whenua | Māori Land Court Bench Book on the Courts of New Zealand website. Today’s release follows the publication of the Criminal Jury Trials Bench Book at the end of 2024.
Read moreCase Review Hearings Guidelines
09 MayThe Chief District Court Judge, His Honour Judge Taumaunu, has released the finalised Case Review Hearings Best Practice guidelines. His Honour notes that the guidelines were developed feedback over a period of months and included feedback from the profession.
Read moreCorrections Update | Supporting capacity in the women’s prison network
08 MayThe Department of Corrections have been exploring opportunities within the prison network to safely and securely accommodate women, in response to the recent forecasted growth in the women’s prison population.
Read moreLSA v Fawcett - A case note
04 AprilFelix Geiringer appeared as counsel for the Bar Association in the High Court and Court of Appeal in the recent case of Legal Services Commissioner v Fawcett. In this note to members, he outlines why this case was important for the Bar Association.
Read moreWomen lawyers remain under-represented as counsel in higher courts
13 MarchThe New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o Te Ture recently conducted further research revealing women lawyers remain markedly under-represented as counsel in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Read moreInternational Women's Day
06 MarchInternational Women’s Day is a time to reflect on how far we have come and what we still need to achieve. The theme this year is #AccelerateAction. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 -…
Read moreBuilding advocacy confidence: insights from our Civil Oral Submissions Session
03 DecemberOur popular Oral Submissions Masterclass for criminal law practitioners was recently followed up with an equally-successful masterclass on Civil Oral Submissions. These Masterclasses are presented at an advanced level and the six attendees who sign up as presenting counsel are very experienced. This creates a unique learning environment for counsel…
Read moreThe President's Column - November 2024
14 NovemberIn my first month in the job, I have carried on the work of my predecessor Maria Dew KC; shadowing Maria before taking over has been a very good introduction to the new role.
Read moreHigh Court Sentencing Competition
07 OctoberThe final of the annual High Court Sentencing Advocacy Competition, was held at the Auckland High Court on 1 October. Both finalists were students from the University of Auckland, with Blake Storrier winning the final and Charlie Harmer as runner-up. His Honour, Johnstone J, commented that their performances were “truly…
Read moreMental Health of Legal Profession
27 SeptemberThe Life Squared Trust commissioned a 3-year longitudinal study to measure mental health and wellbeing in the legal profession with Professor Aaron Jarden, Melbourne University. The report is now available.
Read moreRules changes in force from 1 September 2024
02 SeptemberThe Ministry of Justice has notified several amendments to the Rules of Court, which took effect on 1 September 2024.
Read moreBar Association raises concerns about attacks on our judiciary
29 AugustThe New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture has observed a recent increase in comments and public statements by Ministers about Judges that go much further than criticisms or discussion of judgements.
Read more