Judges talk about the law

In 2018, judges of the District Court explored aspects and processes of the law that they interpret and apply.

Please note that the information in this section was correct as at the date of publication, however it may be subject to change over time.

Root causes of family violence under judicial spotlight

Judge Anna Skellern talks about New Zealand's unacceptably high family violence rates.
Home detention provides real alternative to prison

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll talks about the sentence of home detention; a sentencing option available to the court since 2007.
The role of the jury in a democracy in action

Judge Michael Crosbie explains the valuable role of juries and jury service.
Judicial monitoring provides reassurance for borderline cases

Judge Pippa Sinclair outlines the advantages of judicial monitoring for managing some people serving community sentences.
Suppression Orders — balancing individual and public interests

Judge Sanjay Patel explains the interests to be weighed when granting suppression orders.
The civil jurisdiction: a helping hand in resolving disputes

Judge Simon Menzies explains the work of judges in the District Court civil jurisdiction.
Changing young lives through a focus on underlying causes of offending

Judge Tony FitzGerald goes behind the statistics to look at the underlying causes of youth offending.
Respecting victims in Health and Safety prosecutions

Judge Richard McIlraith sets out the process in Health and Safety prosecutions and how the court tries to accommodate the needs of victims
Discharge without conviction: An option not widely understood

Judge Lance Rowe steps through the test judges must apply when considering whether to discharge someone without conviction.
The power of two in making the court day go further

Community Magistrate Leigh Langridge explains how careful division of duties across two sessions of the day is making the most of District Court time in Manukau.
Determining equality of outcome when relationships end

Judge Ian McHardy backgrounds a section of law designed to create fairer outcomes in the division of relationship property when a couple separate.