Judges
There are currently 40 High Court Judge FTEs, including the Chief High Court Judge, and 7 Associate Judges.
Honourable Justice Sally Fitzgerald, Chief High Court Judge
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Justice Fitzgerald graduated with an LLB (Senior Scholar) from Victoria University of Wellington in 1992 and was admitted to the New Zealand bar in the same year.
Justice Fitzgerald joined the Wellington office of Russell McVeagh as a solicitor in 1992, before relocating to London in 1994, where she was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 1999. She worked as a Senior Solicitor at Clifford Chance until 1997, and then at Debevoise & Plimpton from 1998 to 2001.
In 2001 Justice Fitzgerald returned to Russell McVeagh in Wellington. In 2003 she became a Senior Associate, Dispute Resolution at Sydney firm, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, and was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2003.
She returned to Auckland in 2006, and joined the partnership of Russell McVeagh in 2007, specialising in complex commercial dispute resolution, including regulatory investigations and proceedings, tax litigation, and arbitration law and practice.
Justice Fitzgerald was appointed a Judge of the High Court in 2016. From February 2020 to August 2023, she was the Auckland Criminal List Judge, with oversight of all criminal jury trials in the Auckland High Court. She was appointed the Chief Judge of the High Court of New Zealand in December 2023.
Listed in order of seniority
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Hon Justice Geoffrey Venning
2002, based in Auckland
Justice Venning completed a double major B Comm in 1978 in economics and accounting at the University of Canterbury followed by an LLB (1st Class Hons) in 1981. He tutored commercial Law at the university until 1987. Justice Venning became a litigation partner at the Christchurch law firm Wynn Williams and Co in 1987. In 1995 he was appointed a Master of the High Court, based in Christchurch.
Justice Venning moved to Auckland in 2002 to take up a position as a High Court Judge. He was a member of the High Court Rules Committee from 1999 – 2005, a member of the Council of Legal Education from 2004 – 2015 (Chair from March 2010) and served two terms as the list judge in the Auckland High Court.
In June 2015 Justice Venning was appointed Chief High Court Judge. During his five-year term Justice Venning oversaw the centralisation of circuit work to the three main registries and established the Commercial Panel under the Senior Courts Act 2016. He also maintained the Earthquake list in Christchurch and established several other lists to deal with particular areas of the Court’s work.
Justice Venning resumed his role as a full-time judge of the High Court on stepping down as the Chief Judge on 31 May 2020.
Related pages:
From the Bench - Case Law Update: New Zealand. Speech given at the Banking and Financial Services Law Association Annual Conference Gold Coast, Australia, 29 August 2019. (PDF, 489 KB)
Greater efficiency in civil procedure. Speech given at the NZ Bar Association - Australian Bar Association Joint Conference Queenstown, New Zealand. 23 August 2019. (PDF, 313 KB)
From Toupee to Tooth Decay: Recent Bill of Rights cases in New Zealand. Speech given at the Supreme and Federal Courts Judges’ Conference, Hobart21 Jan 2019. (PDF, 684 KB)
Online Courts: Refresh for Justice. The place of Courts in the age of the internet. Speech given at the ODR Forum 2018, New Zealand Centre for ICT Law, Auckland, 14 November 2018. (PDF, 468 KB)
Earthquake list – Christchurch
Commercial Panel (PDF, 684 KB)
Hon Justice Lang
2005, based in Auckland
Justice Graham Lang attended Otago University and graduated LLB (Hons) (1st Class) in 1980. He was awarded the New Zealand Law Society’s Cleary Memorial Prize in 1981. Justice Lang was a Staff Solicitor at Robinson Toomey & Partners, Napier from 1980, becoming a partner of the firm in 1982. In 1987 he moved to partnership at Elvidge & Partners, and was appointed Crown Solicitor at Napier from 1995 to 2002. He was appointed a Master (now Associate Judge) of the High Court in April 2002 and became a Judge of the High Court in August 2005. He is based at the Auckland High Court.
Hon Justice Brewer ONZM
2010, based in Auckland
Justice Brewer graduated LLB (Honours, 1st class) from Victoria University in 1979. He was admitted to the Bar in 1980. Between 1980 and 1987 he practised predominantly commercial and property law at Govett Quilliam, New Plymouth.
Justice Brewer was then appointed New Plymouth Crown Solicitor, an appointment he held from 1988-2010. From 1990-2010 he was the senior litigation partner in the firm which became Auld Brewer Mazengarb & McEwen. From 1997-2001 he was a part-time Commissioner of the Law Commission.
Justice Brewer joined the Territorial Force of the New Zealand Army in 1976; appointed a member of the Courts Martial Panel of Advocates in 2001; Judge-Advocate from 2004-2009 and a Judge of the Court Martial of New Zealand from 2009. He retired in 2009 as Director-General Reserve Forces with the rank of Brigadier. Justice Brewer was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003. Justice Brewer is based in Auckland.
Hon Justice Peters
2010, based in Auckland
Justice Peters graduated LLB from Victoria University in 1985 and was admitted to the Bar the same year. She was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 1991. Between 1983 and 1987 she was a solicitor with Chapman Tripp Sheffield Young in Wellington. Justice Peters was a solicitor with Arthur Andersen & Co in New York in 1988 and with Allen & Overy in London from 1990 1995. Justice Peters returned to Auckland to work for Russell McVeagh in 1995. She was a partner with that firm from 1997 2004. Justice Peters moved to the independent bar at the end of 2004. Justice Peters is based in Auckland.
Hon Justice Whata
2011, based in Auckland
Justice Whata is from Ngati Pikiao and Ngati Tamateatutahi - Kawiti of Te Arawa. Justice Whata graduated from Auckland University in 1992 and was admitted to the bar in the same year, obtaining an LLB (Hons) in 1994. He commenced working with the Auckland firm of Simpson Grierson until 1993 when he took up a position in the general litigation team at Kensington Swan until 1995. He obtained an LLM (1st class) from the University of Cambridge, then took employment with Russell McVeagh from 1997-2001, becoming a partner in 2001. He specialised in resource management law and Maori issues. Justice Whata was appointed a High Court Judge on 1 March 2011, initially based at the Christchurch High Court. He is now based in Auckland.
Hon Justice Mander
2013, based in Christchurch
Justice Cameron Mander graduated LLB from Victoria University in 1985 and subsequently LLM (Hons) in 1991. He was employed as a solicitor at Luke Cunningham and Clere before travelling to London, where he was admitted to the roll of solicitors for England and Wales and employed as a litigation solicitor with Clifford Chance. While in England, he obtained a LLM (Hons) from Cambridge University. He returned as a partner to the firm of Luke Cunningham and Clere where he practised as a senior Crown prosecutor and litigator. In 2007 he joined the Crown Law Office as a Deputy Solicitor-General. Justice Mander is based at the Christchurch High Court.
Hon Justice Dunningham
2014, based in Christchurch
Justice Rachel Dunningham graduated BA (Hons) 1st class from Massey University and a Diploma of Teaching from the Palmerston North Teachers’ College in 1981. She then graduated LLB (Hons) 1st class from the University of Canterbury in 1996 and was awarded the Canterbury District Law Society Gold Medal in that year. She was a Teacher at Awatapu College in Palmerston North from 1982-1992 She was then employed in the law firm of Buddle Findlay in Christchurch and became a partner in 2005. She undertook a number of roles with the New Zealand Law Society, including as President of the Canterbury-Westland Branch in 2012-13. Justice Dunningham was appointed a High Court Judge in January 2014 and is based at the Christchurch High Court.
Hon Justice Muir
2014, based in Auckland
Justice Muir graduated with an LLB (Hons) from Auckland University in 1981 and became a staff solicitor with Holmden Horrocks & Co in Auckland. In 1984 he took leave from Holmden Horrocks for postgraduate studies at the University of Virginia, graduating with an LLM. In 1985 Justice Muir joined the partnership of Holmden Horrocks, working in civil litigation. He left that firm in 1988 to join the partnership of Buddle Findlay, based in their Auckland office and specialising in commercial and banking litigation. Justice Muir went to the independent bar in 1994 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2013. Justice Muir was appointed a High Court Judge in 2014 and is based in Auckland.
Hon Justice Edwards
2015, based in Auckland
Justice Edwards graduated with a BA and LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland in 1993 and commenced work as a solicitor with the Auckland office of Russell McVeagh. In 1996 she graduated with an LLM from the University of Virginia.
In 1997 Justice Edwards took a position with Herbert Smith in London, before returning to Russell McVeagh as a senior solicitor in 1998. Justice Edwards left Russell McVeagh in 2003 to commence practice as a barrister sole specialising in commercial civil litigation with a particular focus on contract, shareholder and insolvency related disputes.
Justice Edwards was admitted to the permanent bar in the Cook Islands in 2010 and subsequently represented the respondents in the first two Cook Islands appeals to the Privy Council. Justice Edwards was appointed a High Court Judge in June 2015 and she is based in Auckland.
Hon Justice Downs
2016, based in Auckland
Justice Downs graduated from Otago University in 1993 with LLB (Hons). He later completed an LLM (Hons, 1st class) at Cambridge University and a PhD at Otago University. His doctoral thesis was recognised by the Division of Humanities as exceptional. He worked as a junior solicitor at Brewer Mazengarb in 1994, and then Assistant Crown Counsel at Crown Law between 1994-96. From 1996-2005 he worked at Ben Vanderkolk & Associates and then Meredith Connell. He rejoined Crown Law in 2005, later becoming Senior Crown Counsel. There, he appeared regularly in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He was the editor of Cross on Evidence and a co-author of its 2017 edition, and is now the editor of Adams on Criminal Law. Justice Downs was appointed a High Court Judge on 11 August 2016 and is Auckland-based.
Hon Justice Churchman
2017, based in Wellington
Justice Churchman graduated with an LLB (Hons) from Otago University in 1979 and also has an LLM from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, (USA) (1991). From 1980-82 he was with the firm of French Sons Burt & Co in Invercargill, then a solicitor with John Farry & Gowing, Dunedin being the sole litigation lawyer there. He became a partner in the firm of Jackson Lucas and Deuchrass (subsequently called Caudwells) in 1983 and, in 2000 became a senior litigation partner in the Wellington office of Kensington Swan.
Justice Churchman went to the independent bar in 2005 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2013. He was on the Crown Panel in Dunedin for 10 years. He also taught employment law for 10 years at the University of Otago. Justice Churchman is based at the High Court, Wellington.
Hon Justice Jagose
2017, based in Auckland
Justice Jagose graduated with an LLB from the University of Auckland in 1987 and an MA in International Relations from Lancaster University, UK in 1989. He worked as legal advisor to Auckland trade unions until commencing employment with the firm of Chapman Tripp in Wellington in 1995, where he became a commercial litigation partner in 2000. Justice Jagose went to the separate bar in February 2016 and was appointed a High Court Judge in July 2017. He is based at the High Court, Auckland.
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Hon Justice van Bohemen
2017, based in Auckland
Justice van Bohemen graduated with an LLB (1st class honours) from Victoria University in 1979, as well as a BA in English. He was admitted to the bar in February 1980. He joined the Legal Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and worked there and at the New Zealand Mission to the United Nations at various times over the ensuing years. He was a Senior Solicitor at Russell McVeagh Auckland, a partner for 8 years in Buddle Findlay, Auckland and a partner in Chen Palmer in Wellington for 1 year. From 2005 to 2010, he was Director of the Legal Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and New Zealand’s International Legal Adviser. From June 2010 to April 2015 he was a Deputy Secretary at the Ministry, responsible for Multilateral and Legal Affairs. In May 2015 he took up the role as New Zealand’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and was New Zealand’s representative on the Security Council. Justice van Bohemen was appointed a High Court Judge in August 2017. He is based at the High Court, Auckland.
Hon Justice Grice
2018, based in Wellington
Justice Grice graduated LLB (Hons) from the University of Canterbury. She joined the law firm of Fell and Harley, Nelson in 1978. She joined the team of Harkness Henry, Hamilton in 1981 and went into partnership leaving the firm in 2018. Justice Grice was involved mainly in commercial litigation but sat as a Judge of the High Court of the Cook Islands until 2018. She was President of the New Zealand Law Society from 2000-2003 and Executive Director from 2008 until her appointment as a Judge of the High Court. Justice Grice is based in Wellington.
Hon Justice Powell
2018, based in Auckland
Justice Powell won the Senior Prize in Law and Kensington Swan Scholarship in 1986. He graduated LLB (Hons) from Auckland University in 1987 and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1987. After working in the firm of Kensington Swan from 1987 to 1994 he moved to Tunnicliffe Walters Williams (later Walters Williams & Co) in 1994, and was a partner from 1996 until 2003. Justice Powell was a partner in Powell Webber & Associates from 2003 until 2011, following which he practised as a Barrister Sole up until his appointment as a District Court Judge in September 2013. Justice Powell was appointed a High Court Judge on 1 March 2018, and is based in Auckland.
Hon Justice Gault
2018, based in Auckland
Justice Gault graduated with LLB(Hons) from Victoria University in 1987 while employed as a Judges’ Clerk for judges of the High Court and Court of Appeal. In 1988 he travelled to the UK to study, graduating with an LLM from the University of Cambridge in 1989 and joining the London office of international law firm Clifford Chance in the same year. In 1993, he returned to New Zealand and the Auckland office of Bell Gully, joining the partnership in 1997. He specialised in commercial dispute resolution and regulatory proceedings. Justice Gault was admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales in 2001 and is a Commissioned Officer (Major) in the New Zealand Defence Force Reserves. Justice Gault was appointed a Judge of the High Court in 2018 and he is based in Auckland.
Hon Justice Walker
2019, based in Auckland
Justice Tracey Walker graduated LLB/BA from Auckland University in 1988 and LLM (London) in 1991. After working at Slaughter and May in London, she returned to Simpson Grierson in 1993. She was a partner of Simpson Grierson between 1997 and 2014 and then special counsel with that firm. Justice Walker moved to the bar in 2019 and co-founded Sangro Chambers. She was appointed a High Court Judge in April 2019 and is based in Auckland.
Hon Justice Gwyn
2019, based in Wellington
Justice Gwyn graduated with a BA and LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland in 1979. Following a period working as a knife hand at the Hawkes Bay Farmers Meat Co freezing works at Whakatu in the Hawkes bay and then a role as Investigating Officer at the Office of the Race Relations Conciliator, in 1986 she commenced work with the Auckland office of Chapman Tripp. Justice Gwyn spent ten years at Chapman Tripp, initially as a solicitor and then as a partner, specialising in civil litigation. Justice Gwyn subsequently joined the Wellington office of Russell McVeagh as a civil litigation partner, with an emphasis on employment law.
Justice Gwyn is a former Deputy Secretary for Justice (Public Law) and was then for eleven years Deputy Solicitor-General (Attorney-General’s Group) at the Crown Law Office where she oversaw the work of the Office’s Constitutional, Human Rights and Treaty of Waitangi teams.
In the period 2014-2019 Justice Gwyn was Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, before her appointment to the High Court in August 2019. Justice Gwyn is based in Wellington.
Hon Justice Campbell
2020, based in Auckland
Justice Campbell graduated with a BCom and LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland in 1992. He spent two years with Bell Gully Buddle Weir in Auckland before travelling to the United Kingdom, where he obtained an LLM (First) from the University of Cambridge and lectured at the University of Nottingham. Justice Campbell returned to New Zealand in 1995 and took up a position as a Lecturer, becoming an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland. From 1998 Justice Campbell mixed his academic career with part‑time practice at the bar, moving to full‑time practice in 2008. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2013.
Justice Campbell’s research has been published in journals such as the Cambridge Law Journal, Lloyd’s Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly, the Insurance Law Journal, and the New Zealand Law Review. He is also a co-author of leading texts on company law and land law. Justice Campbell sits in Auckland.
Hon Justice Harland
2021, based in Christchurch
Justice Melanie Harland graduated from Auckland University with a BA in History and German in 1984. In 1985 she completed an LLB, was admitted to the Bar, and began her career as a solicitor at Meredith Connell in Auckland.
In 1987 Justice Harland shifted to Hamilton to join McCaw Lewis, becoming a partner in 1991. She gained experience in civil litigation including resource management and administrative law, was involved in criminal work from a defence perspective, and developed her interest in Family Law, appearing as a lawyer for the child and counsel to assist.
Justice Harland was appointed a District Court Judge in 2007, sitting in Hamilton with jury and general warrants. In 2008 she was appointed an alternate Environment Court Judge to assist with Resource Management Act prosecutions in the District Court. She was appointed a full‑time Environment Court Judge in Auckland in 2009.
Justice Harland has been Chair of the Education committee, Representative for the Environment Court on the Judicial Libraries Management Board and Representative for the Environment Court on the Manukau District Court Design committee. She has been Secretary of the New Zealand Women Judges Association (NZAWJ) since 2017.
Hon Justice Isac
2021, based in Wellington
Justice Andru Isac graduated with a BA in Drama and an LLB (Hons) from the University of Canterbury in 1994 and commenced practice as a solicitor with Chapman Tripp in Wellington. He then spent several years as a Crown Prosecutor with Preston Russell in Invercargill, before travelling to the United Kingdom in 1998, where he completed a Bachelor of Civil Law at the University of Oxford. Justice Isac returned to New Zealand in 2001 and spent three years as a Lecturer in Law at the University of Canterbury, before joining Fitzherbert Rowe in Palmerston North as a litigation partner in 2004.
In 2013 Justice Isac joined the partnership of Gibson Sheat in Wellington, before moving to the bar, where he practised in public, commercial, and criminal litigation.
He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2018.
Hon Justice Robinson
2021, based in Auckland
Justice Robinson graduated with a BA and an LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland in 1996, and commenced practice as a solicitor with Brookfields in Auckland. In 1998 he travelled to London where he spent two years working at Richards Butler, Solicitors. Justice Robinson returned to New Zealand in mid-2000 and took up a role as a Senior Solicitor at Russell McVeagh.
In 2005 Justice Robinson joined Simpson Grierson as a Senior Associate, becoming a partner in 2007, and developing a leading litigation and restructuring and insolvency practice.
In April 2019 Justice Robinson began practice as a barrister sole at Shortland Chambers in Auckland. In December 2019 he was one of the founding members of Mills Lane Chambers. As a barrister sole, he specialised in insolvency, banking and financial services, company law and general commercial litigation.
Hon Justice Eaton
2021, based in Christchurch
Justice Eaton graduated with an LLB from the University of Canterbury in 1986, and commenced practice as a junior solicitor with Cunningham Taylor in Christchurch. Between 1988 and 1991 he practised civil litigation in London before returning to New Zealand and joining Christchurch law firm Wood Marshall in 1991.
In 1994 Justice Eaton joined the Christchurch Crown Solicitor’s office, Raymond Donnelly. He spent three years as a senior prosecutor, before joining the independent bar in 1998, where he specialised in criminal defence trials and appellate litigation. Justice Eaton was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2013. He was a long-term vice-president of the New Zealand Bar Association.
Hon Justice Harvey
2021, based in Auckland
Justice Harvey graduated with an LLB from the University of Auckland in 1992. He commenced employment as a law clerk with Simpson Grierson in Auckland that same year, working in civil litigation including resource management issues, wills and estates, debt recovery and vendor and purchaser disputes.
In 1997 he joined Walters Williams & Co, becoming a partner there in 2000, the same year he graduated with a Master of Commercial Law from the University of Auckland. His practice at Walter Williams primarily focussed on Māori and Treaty of Waitangi issues.
In 2002 Justice Harvey was appointed a Judge of the Māori Land Court. He also sits on the Waitangi Tribunal and, from 2018, as an alternate Judge of the Environment Court. He completed a PhD in Law from AUT University in 2018.
Justice Harvey is of Ngāti Awa, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, and Te Whānau a Apanui descent.
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Hon Justice Tahana
2022, based in Auckland
Justice Tahana, Te Arawa (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Mākino and Tapuika) graduated with an LLB(Hons) and a BA (in Māori and Political Science) from Victoria University of Wellington in 1995 and commenced practice the following year as a solicitor with Bell Gully in Wellington, working on Māori legal issues, including litigation concerning the distribution of Māori fisheries settlement assets.
Justice Tahana has extensive domestic and international experience in commercial, corporate (including regulatory and competition) law and litigation, along with considerable expertise in advising on matters relating to te Tiriti o Waitangi.
In 1999, Justice Tahana spent a year with Walters Williams & Co before relocating to Gilbert & Tobin in Sydney, where she worked for seven years in commercial litigation, interspersed by a year practising litigation in London at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and two years as Senior Legal Counsel (Enforcement) at the Commerce Commission. For a further five years, her Honour worked as Senior Director, Legal Counsel at Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (du) in the United Arab Emirates where she led a team of inhouse lawyers responsible for advising the commercial divisions of the company.
In 2017, Justice Tahana returned to New Zealand and joined the partnership of Kāhui Legal in Rotorua, becoming Managing Partner in 2019. She has worked closely with Māori land owning entities, post-settlement governance entities and Māori owned businesses on a range of legal issues including new ventures, governance, structuring, commercial contracts, trusts, Māori land and litigation.
Justice Tahana has advised on te Tiriti o Waitangi compliance, the integration of tikanga Māori into constitutional documents and tikanga based dispute resolution processes.
Hon Justice Helen McQueen
2022, based in Wellington
Justice Helen McQueen graduated with an LLB (Hons) in 1986 and a BA (Political Science) in 1987 from Victoria University of Wellington and commenced practice the following year as a solicitor with Kensington Swan. In 1990 Justice McQueen relocated to the United States where she completed a Master of Laws degree at the University of Chicago Law School in 1991.
On her return to New Zealand in 1992 Justice McQueen took up a role as a solicitor with Chapman Tripp in Wellington practising in commercial, corporate and public litigation. She joined the partnership of Chapman Tripp in 1997. Justice McQueen retired from the partnership in 2005 and remained as a Consultant with Chapman Tripp until 2015.
In 2016, Justice McQueen joined Te Aka Matua o Te Ture Law Commission as a Commissioner, and in 2017 was appointed Tumu Whakarae Tuarua, Deputy President. She spent an 11-month period as Acting President of Te Aka Matua o Te Ture Law Commission in 2019/2020.
Hon Justice Peter Andrew
2022, based in Auckland
Justice Peter Andrew graduated from the University of Otago in 1984 with a BA and an LLB, and joined the Auckland Crown Solicitor’s office, Meredith Connell & Co. In 1990, after studying with the University of Kiel in Germany and graduating with an LLM in Public International Law, Justice Andrew joined the Auckland office of Russell McVeagh as a senior solicitor. He practiced in the employment law and commercial
litigation fields.From 1993 to 1999 Justice Andrew was a Crown Counsel in the Treaty Issues and International Law Team at Crown Law, representing the Crown in public law litigation in the courts at all levels, and as a member of the Crown negotiating team for Treaty of Waitangi settlements in relation to Ngāi Tahu and Tūrangi. He was the Treaty team leader and appeared frequently in the Waitangi Tribunal on historical and contemporary Treaty claims.
In 1999 Justice Andrew left Crown Law to join the independent Bar. As a Barrister, he specialised in public law and civil litigation, including litigation over Treaty settlements and trust and equity litigation in the specialist Māori Land Courts. He was a part-time member of the Refugee Status Appeals Authority and the Weathertight Homes Tribunal.
Justice Andrew was appointed an Associate Judge of the High Court in 2018 and a High Court Judge in 2022.
Hon Justice Johnstone
2023, based in Auckland
Justice Johnstone graduated from the University of Auckland in 1991 with a BCom/LLB(Hons), and joined Bell Gully as a solicitor, practising in general commercial litigation. During 1993 and 1994 he undertook study at the University of Cambridge, graduating with an LLM(Hons) in 1994. He left Bell Gully in 1996.
In 1998, Justice Johnstone took up a role as a solicitor with the Auckland Crown Solicitor’s firm, Meredith Connell, conducting District Court and then High Court jury trials and regulatory prosecutions, and civil proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1991. He joined the Meredith Connell partnership in 2005. His main focus has been upon criminal prosecutions and appeals at all levels in the criminal justice arena, with a particular speciality in cases involving organised crime, corruption, serious fraud and national security. He has been a member of the Serious Fraud Office’s prosecutors’ panel since 2014.
In early 2022, Justice Johnstone left Meredith Connell to join the independent Bar. As a barrister, he has specialised in criminal law and commercial compliance, investigations and proceedings.
Hon Justice Radich
2023, based in Wellington
Justice Paul Radich graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 1986 with an LLB (Hons) and worked to senior associate level at what is now Simpson Grierson in Wellington until 1991. In 1991, Justice Radich took up a role as a solicitor at Bell Gully, joining the partnership of that firm in 1994. In 2003, Justice Radich joined Izard Weston as a litigation partner. From 2007 to 2012 he was a litigation partner at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts. In March 2012, Justice Radich commenced practice as a barrister sole at Clifton Chambers. He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in August 2014. Justice Radich practised commercial litigation, specialising in public law advice and litigation. He has appeared on a number of cases dealing with issues under the Treaty. He has appeared extensively in the Courts and Tribunals, including the Waitangi Tribunal. He has represented parties before the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Pike River Mine Tragedy in 2011 and 2012, the Government inquiry into Operation Burnham and Related Matters from 2018 to 2020, and the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Attack on the Christchurch Mosques in 2019. He was President of the New Zealand Bar Association - Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture from 2020 to 2022 and has held positions as Chair of the Legal Aid Performance Review Committee and as a board member of Te Kura Kaiwhakawā - the Institute of Judicial Studies.
Hon Justice Becroft
2023, based in Auckland
Justice Andrew Becroft graduated from the University of Auckland in 1981 with a BA/LLB(Hons) and joined Auckland law firm Fortune Manning as a solicitor. In 1986 he co-founded the Mangere Community Law Centre and practised there until he became a barrister sole in 1993, specialising in criminal and traffic law.
In 1996 Justice Becroft was appointed a District Court Judge, sitting in Whanganui. From 2001 to 2016 he was the Principal Youth Court Judge, focusing on youth justice law and practice, but continued to sit on criminal jury trials, sentencing and list courts.
From 2016 to 2021 Justice Becroft was the Children’s Commissioner of New Zealand.In the 2022 Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours, Justice Becroft was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order, for services to the judiciary, children and youth.
Hon Justice Anderson
2023, based in Auckland
Justice Jane Anderson was admitted in 1991, after graduating from the University of Canterbury with an LLB (Hons). She began her professional career as a solicitor with Rudd Watts & Stone. In 1994, she took a leave of absence to attend the University of Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Civil Law with First Class Honours in 1995. Justice Anderson left Rudd Watts and Stone in 1998 to commence practice as a barrister sole. From 1998 to 2000 she was a part time lecturer in Intellectual Property at the University of Auckland.
In 2002, Justice Anderson joined Shortland Chambers, and in 2016 she was appointed a Queen’s Counsel. Justice Anderson specialised in civil litigation, primarily in commercial, corporate, contract, trust, relationship property and property matters, and has acted on large scale commercial disputes and in domestic and international arbitration.
Hon Justice Preston
2023, based in Christchurch
Justice Preston graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 1991 BA, LLB (Hons) and began her career at Bell Gully, Wellington in commercial litigation in 1992. In 1994 she joined the Office of the Wellington Crown Solicitor Luke Cunningham Clere, as a Crown prosecutor and later Associate. Justice Preston relocated to the United Kingdom in 1999, working in civil litigation at Thrings in Bath and at Duncan Cotterill on her return to New Zealand. In 2003, Justice Preston joined Christchurch Crown Solicitor’s office, Raymond Donnelly & Co, as a Senior Crown Prosecutor, later Associate. In 2011 she was appointed Crown Counsel in the Criminal Team at Crown Law, conducting appeals in the senior courts. Justice Preston joined the independent bar in 2014, specialising in criminal jury trials and appellate work receiving instructions on behalf of the defence and the Crown, medico-legal, professional indemnity and professional disciplinary litigation and acting in coronial inquiries.
Prior to her appointment to the High Court, Justice Preston was a member of the Panel of Independent Legal Counsel to assist Te Kāhui Tatari Ture, the Criminal Cases Review Commission, the Commerce Commission’s Cartel Prosecutors Panel, and the Solicitor-General’s Senior Crown Prosecution Panel. Justice Preston was appointed King’s Counsel in 2022.
Hon Justice O'Gorman
2023, based in Auckland
Justice O’Gorman graduated from the University of Auckland in 1996 with a BCom/LLB (Hons) and worked as a law clerk, then a solicitor, with Buddle Findlay until 1998. She relocated to the United Kingdom and obtained an LLM from the University of Cambridge in 1999, and worked at a law firm in Jersey during 2000. On her return to New Zealand in 2001, Justice O’Gorman returned to Buddle Findlay as a senior solicitor, subsequently becoming a senior associate. She joined the partnership of Buddle Findlay in 2005. In 2019 Justice O’Gorman became a barrister sole, joining Bankside Chambers in Auckland. Her practice includes a broad range of commercial litigation, with specialist expertise in insolvency, competition law, judicial review and statutory appeals, conflict of laws, company law and contractual disputes. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2021.
Hon Justice La Hood
2023, based in Wellington
Justice La Hood graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 1994 with an LLB and joined Levin firm Todd Whitehouse as a criminal defence lawyer and litigator in 1995. In 1999, Justice La Hood relocated to the United Kingdom and spent a period working in civil litigation and public law with London firms Vizard Oldham Solicitors and Hartfields Solicitors, primarily in the areas of insurance, professional indemnity and public law. From 2001 to 2006 Justice La Hood was a criminal defence lawyer and litigator with Sladden Cochrane & Co in Wellington. His work included regular appearances before the courts on criminal, civil, human rights, and public law matters. In 2006, he joined Wellington Crown Solicitor’s office, Luke Cunningham Clere, as a Crown prosecutor and litigator, focusing on the prosecution of serious crime such as sexual abuse, complex fraud and homicide. He has also acted for public organisations in areas such as human rights, regulatory enforcement, professional discipline, and health. Justice La Hood became a partner of Luke Cunningham Clere in 2007.
Hon Justice Karen Grau
2024, based in Wellington
Justice Grau graduated with an LLB (Hons) from Victoria University of Wellington in 2002, and an LLM from the University of Cambridge in 2014. She initially worked as a Judge’s Clerk for Hon Justice Glazebrook in the Court of Appeal from 2003 to 2004. From 2005 to 2006 she was Legal Counsel in the Commerce Commission, before commencing practice as a barrister in Stout Street Chambers in Wellington assisting (then) Stephen Kós QC. Between 2007 and 2015 Justice Grau worked as a Crown Prosecutor at Wellington Crown Solicitor’s office, Luke Cunningham and Clere. In 2015 Justice Grau joined Crown Law as a Crown Counsel in the Criminal Group. She was appointed a District Court Judge in 2021.
Hon Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith
2024, based in Auckland
Justice Wilkinson-Smith graduated with an LLB (Hons) from Auckland University School of Law in 1993 and commenced practice as a staff solicitor with Brewer Mazengarb in New Plymouth. In 1998 she became a partner of Auld Brewer
Mazengarb and McEwen. In 2004 Justice Wilkinson-Smith joined the independent bar, practising as both a defence barrister in Auckland and Crown panel prosecutor in Palmerston North until 2016. She was a member of the Legal Aid Review Panel from 2008 to 2011 and a Visiting Justice at Whanganui Prison from 2011 to 2016. Justice Wilkinson-Smith was a member of the Legal Aid Performance Review Committee assessing the performance of legal aid providers from 2015 - 2023. She was appointed Crown Solicitor for Whanganui in 2016.Hon Justice McHerron
2024, based in WellingtonJustice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996. From 1996 to 1999 he worked as a solicitor in the litigation, commercial, and public law teams at Russell McVeagh in Wellington. In 1999 Justice McHerron joined Crown Law, working as counsel in general public law litigation and advisory work until he left to join the independent bar in 2006. He initially practised out of Waterfront Chambers in Wellington, specialising in public law and commercial litigation. He was with Woodward Street Chambers in Wellington from 2014. From 2010 to 2018 Justice McHerron was an investigator with the Gas Industry Co, investigating alleged rule breaches by industry participants and effecting settlements for approval by the Rulings Panel. From 2015 to 2024 he was a part-time adjudicator with the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal. From 2018 to 2023 he was a member of the Rules Committee, as a New Zealand Law Society nominee.
Hon Justice David Boldt
2024, based in Wellington
Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds a BA (English and History). He spent two years at the Wellington High Court as Clerk to Chief Justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum before joining Crown Law’s Criminal Team in 1992. Justice Boldt became a barrister sole in 2002, practising in criminal and public law. He returned to Crown Law in 2012 as a Senior Crown Counsel in the Criminal Team.
In 2015 Justice Boldt returned to the bar. He has had a broad public law practice, with particular emphasis on criminal and crime-related matters. He has appeared regularly in coronial inquiries and has led more than 400 criminal and civil cases in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court over the last 30 years.Hon Justice Blanchard
2024, based in Auckland
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.
Associate Judges of the High Court
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Associate Judge Johnston
2018, based in Wellington
Associate Judge Johnston holds a BA, an LLB and a Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from Victoria University; and an LLM (Dist.) from the College of Law of England and Wales. He was called to the Bar in early 1980. After short periods in the Crown Law Office and in London, he joined Watts and Patterson in mid 1981. That firm merged with two others to form Rudd Watts & Stone, and is now known as Minter Ellison Rudd Watts. Associate Judge Johnston was a solicitor, associate and partner until he retired to join the independent bar in late 1997, becoming a member of Lambton Chambers. He took silk in mid 2016. He was appointed the Chairperson of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) as of 1 May 2023.
Associate Judge Lester
2018, based in Christchurch
Associate Judge Lester graduated with LLB(Hons) from Canterbury University in 1990. He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court in 1991 and worked at White, Fox & Jones. In 1991 and 1992 he was a Judges’ Clerk to the Christchurch High Court Bench. In 1994, he was employed as a litigation solicitor at Rhodes & Co. The following year he joined Saunders & Co, initially as a litigation solicitor and then an associate before joining the partnership in 1998. Associate Judge Lester left Saunders & Co in 2003 to join the Bar and co-founded Canterbury Chambers in 2007. His principal areas of practice were contract, commercial, insolvency and estate litigation. He was appointed an Associate Judge in 2018 and he is based in Christchurch.
Associate Judge Paulsen
2019, based in Christchurch
Associate Judge Paulsen graduated from the University of Canterbury with an LLB in 1986 and began his career as a solicitor at Harman & Co. He was admitted to the partnership of Harman & Co in 1991, before leaving in 1998 to travel overseas. From 2000 to 2001 he was an adjudication and mediation member of the Employment Tribunal, whilst also managing a sole practice as a litigation lawyer.
In July 2001 he joined Cavell Leitch Law as the Head Litigation Partner. He practiced in a broad range of areas including commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation, employment, human rights, and criminal law. While in this role, he graduated from the University of Auckland with an LLM (Comm) (Hons).
Associate Judge Paulsen was Lord Chief Justice of the Kingdom of Tonga from 2015 to July 2019. He was appointed an Associate Judge in July 2019. Associate Judge Paulsen sits in Christchurch.
Associate Judge Gardiner
2020, based in Auckland
Associate Judge Gardiner graduated from the University of Otago with an LLB (Hons) in 1995 and began her career as a solicitor at DLA Piper New Zealand. In 1997 she relocated to London and took up a position with Herbert Smith Freehills, qualifying as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales and practising in commercial litigation. She returned to New Zealand and joined Chapman Tripp in Auckland in 2002, where she practised in insurance and commercial litigation.
In 2013 Associate Judge Gardiner obtained an LLM (Hons) from the University of Auckland, and practised public law from 2013 to 2014 at Chen Palmer. She joined the Auckland Council in 2015 managing the Council’s Public Law team. Since 2018 Judge Gardiner was General Counsel for the Council, heading the Council’s in-house legal, risk and insurance department.
Associate Judge Gardiner has also held corporate governance roles in the financial services sector, as an independent director of Devon Funds Management Limited from 2014 to 2020 and the Investment Services Group from 2017 to 2020. Associate Judge Gardiner is based in Auckland.
Associate Judge Sussock
2020, based in Auckland
Associate Judge Sussock graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration and LLB (Hons) in 1991, starting as a staff solicitor with Phillips Fox Wellington (now DLA Piper). She moved to the Crown Law Office in 1993, working as Crown Counsel with the Public Commercial Team until 2001.
After a move to Auckland and time at home with her children, Associate Judge Sussock resumed her career in 2008, joining the commercial litigation firm, Wilson Harle, as Senior Associate. In early 2018 she left to join Lowndes Jordan as a partner in the litigation team.
Associate Judge Sussock was appointed in October 2020 and is based in Auckland.
Associate Judge Taylor
2021, based in Auckland
Associate Judge Taylor graduated from the University of Auckland with a BSc in 1976 and an LLB (Hons) in 1981 and was awarded Senior Prize in Law. He then spent two years in London working for a corporate law firm. He returned to Auckland in 1984 and in 1985 he joined the partnership of Holmden Horrocks & Co, spending three years in their Corporate Department. He joined Bell Gully in 1988, becoming a Corporate partner in 1989.
Associate Judge Taylor continued as a Corporate partner until he retired from the partnership in 2014. He then continued to practise at Bell Gully as a Consultant until 2021.
Associate Judge Taylor will sit in Auckland.
Associate Judge Brittain
2022, based in Auckland
Associate Judge Grant Brittain KC graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 1991 with an LLB and took up a role as a litigation staff solicitor with Gibson Sheat in Lower Hutt, working in criminal defence, family law and civil litigation.
In 1995 he relocated to London and worked for Freshfields in London, before returning to New Zealand in 1996 and taking up a role as a litigation staff solicitor for Hesketh Henry in Auckland, working in commercial and general civil litigation. From 2000 to 2002, Associate Judge Brittain held positions as an Associate for Sharp Tudhope and Senior Solicitor at Holland Beckett in Tauranga.
Since 2002 Associate Judge Brittain has been a barrister sole with a wide commercial practice, also working as a mediator and arbitrator, and as an adjudicator under the Construction Contracts Act 2002. He graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with an LLM(Dist) in 2017, and has been King’s Counsel since that same year.
Associate Judge Skelton
2023, based in Wellington
Associate Judge Andrew Skelton graduated from Canterbury University with an LLB in 1989 and joined Kensington Swan in Wellington as a solicitor. In 1991, he relocated to the United Kingdom to study at University College, London, graduating with an LLM (Merit) in 1992.
Associate Judge Skelton worked as a solicitor with London law firm Masons from 1993 to 1995. He then studied at the University of Oxford, Keble College, graduating in 1996 with a Master of Studies (MSt.), completing a thesis on the relationship between the law of restitution and the law of contract, subsequently published in 1998 by Mansfield Press, Oxford, as Restitution and Contract. In 1996 he returned to Kensington Swan in Wellington as an Associate, and then a Senior Associate. He was appointed to the partnership of that firm in 1999.
Since 2013, Associate Judge Skelton has been a barrister sole practising at Capital Chambers in Wellington, working in the areas of general civil litigation and arbitration, specialising in property, construction, insurance, company, and professional disciplinary and sports matters. He has served as a faculty member on the New Zealand Law Society Advanced Litigation Skills Course and Expert Witness Programme.