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Chief Justice welcomes High Court appointment and Court of Appeal acting judge

The Chief Justice welcomes the Attorney General’s announcement today of the appointment of Auckland King’s Counsel Gregory Blanchard as a Judge of the High Court. Justice Blanchard’s appointment will take effect on 1 July 2024.

The Chief Justice is also pleased to announce the appointment of Hon Justice Anne Hinton as an acting Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Hinton has been appointed as an acting Judge of the Court of Appeal from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. This appointment is made by the Governor-General acting on the advice of the Attorney-General.

Biography Justice Blanchard attended the University of Auckland from 1991 to 1995 graduating with an LLB (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (English). He was a solicitor with the firm that is now Dentons Kensington Swan in Auckland from 1996 to 1999. In 2000 he relocated to the United Kingdom and worked for London law firm Baker McKenzie until 2002. On his return to New Zealand in 2003, Justice Blanchard rejoined Dentons Kensington Swan, and was made a partner in 2004. Justice Blanchard became a barrister sole in 2008 and had a wide-ranging commercial litigation practice. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2017.

Justice Blanchard will sit in Auckland and will be sworn in at the Auckland High Court on 5 July.

Helen Winkelmann
Chief Justice | Te Tumu Whakawā