A complaint alleged that a judge whacked a lawyer with a crutch – at a charity event, no less. But now the matter is officially closed
The case of a judge who reportedly hit a lawyer with a crutch at a charity event has ended.
Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue described the matter as “resolved” following the filing of an anonymous complaint to the Judicial Conduct Commissioner against Judge Anna Johns, a report from Radio NZ said.
Johns, who had hip surgery and was aided by crutches at the time of the incident, reportedly hit lawyer Scott Leith with her crutch after a brief verbal altercation.
Judge Johns and Leith were at an event for Te Rangimarie Charitable Trust at Auckland’s Northern Club when the incident happened.
Ever since the filing of the complaint, Justice Johns has been on sick leave. She will reportedly return to work at the end of the month in another role.
Previously, Judge Johns sat at the Manukau District Court, but she will be returning to work as a judge at the Waitakere District Court. Radio NZ notes that the district court currently has a shortage of judges.
In an earlier statement, Leith had told Radio NZ the event was exaggerated in the complaint, which he said he did not support and described as “illiterate.”
He told the publication he was not surprised that the matter has been closed.
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Lawyer struck off
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Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue described the matter as “resolved” following the filing of an anonymous complaint to the Judicial Conduct Commissioner against Judge Anna Johns, a report from Radio NZ said.
Johns, who had hip surgery and was aided by crutches at the time of the incident, reportedly hit lawyer Scott Leith with her crutch after a brief verbal altercation.
Judge Johns and Leith were at an event for Te Rangimarie Charitable Trust at Auckland’s Northern Club when the incident happened.
Ever since the filing of the complaint, Justice Johns has been on sick leave. She will reportedly return to work at the end of the month in another role.
Previously, Judge Johns sat at the Manukau District Court, but she will be returning to work as a judge at the Waitakere District Court. Radio NZ notes that the district court currently has a shortage of judges.
In an earlier statement, Leith had told Radio NZ the event was exaggerated in the complaint, which he said he did not support and described as “illiterate.”
He told the publication he was not surprised that the matter has been closed.
Related stories:
Lawyer struck off
Goddard says ‘relentless’ media pressure compromised her
