Judges at work

• A different way to deal with sexual violence cases

  Judge Anne Kiernan — Auckland Managing Judge, Sexual Violence Court Pilot Judge Anne Kiernan I am proud to be leading the Sexual Violence Court Pilot at the District…

• Reflections on change from a long-serving judge

  Judge Patrick Grace — Family Court JudgeAs a new judge in 1995 I found it a humbling experience to preside over a Family Court hearing and…

• The constructive role of the judge as a mediator

  Judge Tony Lendrum National Resource Judge for Family and Civil Settlement ConferencesA judicial settlement conference is a type of mediation conference convened by a judge. It…

• Administering justice through a cultural lens

  Judge Frances Eivers — Tangata Whenua Judge Ngā taonga tuku iho nō ngā tūpuna A core cultural value of Maori is to establish a connection or kinship — whanaungatanga. Tāngata…

• Autism's unique challenges for the court

  Judge Chris McGuire — District Court JudgeThose on the autism spectrum present a unique set of challenges for a judge. It is rare that these people commit…

• Story-telling that puts a human face on the judiciary

  Judge Robert Murfitt — Family Court JudgeIt is well recognised that the practice of family law, including judging, is a “front line” profession. It has all the…

• Insights from the playhouse to the courthouse

  Judge Rosemary Riddell — Family Court JudgeMy career as a Family Court judge began 11 years ago. While loving the job, I’ve also been able to…

• A changing society complicates property disputes

  Judge Maureen Southwick QC — Family Court JudgeIn the five years I have spent as a Family Court judge in Manukau the complexity of issues coming…

• Delight at a big shift into a smaller community

  Judge Chris Sygrove — District Court Judge After 35 years in private legal practice in Wellington, I moved to New Plymouth when I was appointed a District…

• Country to city, delivering justice for different communities

  Judge Jenny Binns — Family Court JudgeAs a District Court judge I have adjusted well to working in a city after starting out in a smaller…

• At the interface between constitution and community

  Judge Emma Smith — Chief Judge’s Advisory Board MemberI was invited to join the Chief District Court Judge’s Advisory Board in 2017 and I hold…

• Serving Wellington: the most varied job in the world

  Judge Peter Butler — District Court JudgeI have been a judge for 14 years, first in Invercargill, then as resident judge at Hutt Valley District Court,…

• The challenge of new areas in the civil jurisdiction

  Judge Philippa Cunningham — District Court JudgeThe nature of work in the District Court’s civil jurisdiction is always increasing in type and complexity which makes it…

• Holding the fort in pivotal roles

  Judge Anthony Walsh — Family Court Judge/Youth Court JudgeI had the privilege of being Acting Principal Family Court Judge for two months in 2014 and Acting…

• Ensuring a swift response to family violence allegations

  Judge Jacquelyn Moran — Family Court JudgeFor the past 14 years I have sat as a Family Court judge in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Cases involving allegations of…

• A window into life on the Bench

  This was a Joint Statement from the Chief District Court Judge and Principal Family Court Judge for: LawTalk, the NZLS electronic newsletter LawPoints 24 January…