Appointments of acting judges announced

Judicial officials get new terms in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Environment Court, and District Court

Appointments of acting judges announced

Senior judicial officers have been appointed to new terms as acting judges, including in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

The Hon Sir Terence Arnold KNZM, retired judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, has been named as acting judge of the Supreme Court for a period of two years, commencing 12 April.

The Hon Lynton Stevens and The Hon John Wild, retired judges of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand, have been appointed as acting judges of the same court from 29 April to 28 April 2020.

Melanie Harland, judge of the Environment Court in Auckland, has been appointed as acting principal judge of the Environment Court. Her term commenced on 8 May and will run until the principal judge of the Environment Court, Justice Laurie Newhook, resumes the duty of the office.

Maureen Southwick QC and Rosemary Riddell, retiring judges of the District Court, have been appointed to two-year terms as acting judges of the District Court to exercise the jurisdiction of the Family Court. Their terms commence 15 May and 19 August, respectively.

Jane Lovell-Smith, retiring judge of the District Court, has been named acting judge of the District Court and will exercise the jurisdiction of the court under the Criminal Procedure Act 2011. Her two-year term starts 8 June.

David Brown and Patrick Grace, retiring judges of the District Court, have been appointed acting judges of the District Court, with jurisdiction of the Family Court. Their two-year terms commence 9 November and 6 November, respectively.