Employment Court judge Bruce Corkill to remain on the bench until 2025

Environment Court Chief Judge Christina Inglis has announced that Bruce Corkill’s appointment as judge of the employment court on an acting warrant will be extended for a further one-year term effective 2 February 2024.

Corkill was first appointed as judge of the employment court in 2014. Inglis said she is “delighted to have received advice from the Attorney-General extending Judge Corkill’s acting warrant for a further 21 months to enable him to carry out particular judicial tasks in 2024.”

Corkill was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand in 1975, where he practiced briefly. He worked with Agar Keesing McLeod & Co as a staff solicitor between 1975 to 1977. Corkill then practised in England in 1982. He was eventually admitted as a solicitor of England and Wales.

After returning to New Zealand, Corkill worked in general litigation in several law firms. Between 1988 and 1997, Corkill was a litigation partner at Johnson Lawrence Elder. Before joining Johnson Lawrence Elder, Corkill was a staff solicitor, associate, and partner at Riddiford Smyth Johnston & Stevens between 1983 and 1988.

Corkill commenced practice as a barrister in 1997 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2007. His practice encompasses employment law, professional disciplinary work and other civil litigation, including trusts and relationship property, ACC, personal injury, and coronial work.

Corkill served as chairperson of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal and was a legal assessor for several occupational disciplinary bodies, including the New Zealand Chartered Accountants Disciplinary Tribunal. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Australasian College of Legal Medicine. He is also a LEADR mediator.

“Judge Corkill’s contribution to the work of the employment court, and more generally, continues to be substantial. I am very pleased that he has agreed to remain on the bench for an additional period of time.” Inglis said.

Corkill sits in Wellington.