New facts can dramatically change the direction of a case such as during a major criminal trial. In the civil court, he says, there is usually more time to write a judgment as there isn’t a jury waiting. The Treaty provides that in exchange for the grant of kawanatanga (governance) to the British Crown, Māori people (the “I started in a law firm in 1968 and had to be taught how to write a legal letter, so being a judge was the last thing on my mind,” he says with a laugh. What does a judge earn? Judges of the High Court of New Zealand (including Judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal) On relinquishment of or retirement from office, the holders of the offices referred to in rule 1 shall be eligible to be recommended for retention of the title "The Honourable" for life. Most lawyers take seven years to complete the education required to become a lawyer, and it may take additional time to pass the state bar exam. It is a fixed term position of 2 years. “Whether the lawyer is popular with me or what their political views are is completely irrelevant to me. The following sections outline the steps one must take to become a judge. It is also open to professionally-qualified legal academics. The old adage that reputation takes a long time to be established but can be lost in an instant is something that all counsel need to keep in mind,” he says. Judging is based on an awarding system and judges adjudicate in an objective and unbiased manner and in compliance with the criteria stipulated in the Technical Manual. The freeman-on-the-land movement, also known as the freemen-of-the-land, the freemen movement, or simply freemen, is a loose group of individuals who believe that they are bound by statute laws only if they consent to those laws. How to become a Judge; Judging Resources; Coaching . Before a case, the judge should lead a preview and agree a line of questioning. Politics must not influence the choice of who is appointed a judge,” he says. Particularly with long trials, you may be away from home on circuit, staying in a motel.”. He recalls an early civil case involving a claim for damage following a mid-air crash between a police helicopter and a small plane in Auckland. At the beginning of a criminal trial I used to say to the jury, just wait until you’ve heard all of the evidence.”. The type of judgeship one is pursuing will affect the length of time it takes to become a judge. “Ideally, the composition of the bench should be aiming towards an equal number of both men and women on the bench. Justice Randerson says lawyers can become judges in both what he describes as a traditional and non-traditional way. If you are interested in becoming a marching judge  be sure to contact the association nearest to you or contact judge@marching.co.nz, If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us, available for download on Judging Resources page, Contact your Association Chief Judge for more information. “I went up the Sky Tower, which was still quite new, with counsel involved and the flight paths were pointed out. I had quite a steep learning curve in relation to criminal trials,” he says. Ultimately, it went to the Court of Appeal and I’m pleased to say my judgment was upheld. Coach and Judge accreditation programmes are developed with NZ requirements as a priority and with the flexibility to allow people to attend courses in their local region as much as possible. They listen to court cases, act as referees between litigating parties and make decisions on the matter of law. BECOME A MEMBER. How challenging is that when dealing with the many personalities in the courtroom? New Zealand’s way of appointing judges is no less complicated, nor is the process widely understood. But what I was looking for was good all-round experience as a prosecutor, experience as a defence lawyer and also good experience as a civil lawyer. MEMBER RESOURCES. Inc. 394B Rotokauri Road, RD9 Hamilton 3289 TEL: +64 7 8493467 EMAIL: rclassi@xtra.co.nz. Section 94 of the Senior Courts Act 2016 states that a person can be eligible for appointment as judge or associate judge if that person has held a practising certificate in a jurisdiction specified by Order in Council for at least seven years. “The judges see counsel appearing regularly in their court. “It can be very consuming if you let it. People will, from time to time, be invited to write in with an expression of interest. Tony Randerson recently retired from the bench. I was very busy making sure that the trial was running properly in the sense that the rulings being made on evidence and procedural issues were correct. Becoming a JP ; FAQ ; Contact Us; Find a JP. Being calm under stress is a skill that can’t be bought but is a vital tool in a judge’s kit, along with having the confidence and respect of the existing bench. “On the other hand there are times when you have to really work hard to remain impartial especially if one party is not represented and the other side is and the unrepresented party is not sure about process, evidence points or might be quite irritating by the way they are conducting themselves in court,” he says. Along with having a thorough knowledge of the law and many years of practical experience, Justice Randerson says both physical and mental robustness are also advantages. Everyone aboard both aircraft was killed. The most recent appointments to the High Court include Pheroze Jagose and Gerard van Bohemen. The District Court also includes the Family Court and those that have a District Court warrant but are appointed to the Environment Court. Judges are not civil servants, they are an independent branch of Government and they need to be shown this respect. The protocol also includes conflict of interest and recusal guidelines. The first Commissioner was Ian Haynes, ONZM, BA, LLB. The role of the judge: Judges should ensure that the tribunal or court works as a team and the hearing is fair. Quick Find - or - Search. Quickly dispelling any myth that all judges must have a court background, he says retired Justice Sir Peter Blanchard, Dame Susan Glazebrook and Sir Mark O’Regan all came from a commercial background and have been very successful judges of the Supreme Court. While judges are appointed by the Attorney-General, they cannot be removed from office except by a motion supported by Parliament, in the event of misbehaviour. Become a marching judge. All you need is a love of the sport, good communications skills, the ability to focus. “The view you take of a trial, where it’s going and what the outcome might be at one point can change radically when you hear further evidence and that’s true of civil trials also. Justice Randerson says a civil or criminal trial mentally consuming. Do judges have to be lawyers? The retired Employment Court Judge Tony Ford was a partner at law firm Bell Gully but left the firm in 2000 and became a Judge of the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Tonga, along with becoming the Tongan Chief Justice. NZ Championships Results; Judging . “When I heard he was considering returning to New Zealand about six years ago, I was very keen to get him on the bench and so he became a judge on the Employment Court. Mr Finlayson and Chief Justice, Dame Sian Elias, have to agree on a shortlist of three possible candidates from which the Attorney-General will appoint one person. He said he had never viewed the role of … Larger civil cases can take longer and often a judge will go straight into another trial and have to put it aside for some time before writing can commence. “So, formally, the choice is mine, but to say that I’m the only person involved in the selection process would be wrong,” he says. The scheme is open to Barristers, Solicitors, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, Registered Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys. That way you’ll remain rounded and balanced. After all, they’ll all have similar qualities, yet they can’t all get the position. But the percentage of judges sitting in the higher courts certainly does not match, with the exception of the Supreme Court where three out of five are women. It’s critical because the work just keeps coming,” he says. Mr Finlayson says the same opportunity is potentially there for a New Zealand lawyer who has practised extensively overseas. He ultimately ended up as a Supreme Court Judge but also recently retired from the International Court in The Hague, and Justice Matthew Palmer also had a largely academic background but had some practical experience before being appointed to the High Court,” he says. The judiciary is the arm of our democracy that is independent of executive and politicians. Pay. “An important element of our curriculum covers Tikanga and Te Reo for judges,” she says. How to volunteer as a magistrate, who can and cannot apply, the application form, and what magistrates do in court. Home ; Judges; News; Constitution; Regulations; Judges Code of Conduct; … Each selection process is different, including to the various tribunals. Mr Hastings will leave the role he has held since October 1999 to become a district court judge and chair the new Immigration and Protection Tribunal. They know them quite well and it’s very important for a potential candidate to establish a reputation for trustworthiness and honesty. Prior to that he was counsel and had over thirty years of advocacy experience to that point, with particular emphasis on environmental matters, land, property, and maritime laws. “I think we undoubtedly need more women on the bench. Not jumping to early conclusions is a critical part of a judge’s function but being ready to change your mind as further evidence is presented is also an essential skill. In the criminal context it might come down to whether certain evidence was admissible, the competence of the trial counsel in the way the case has been presented or whether the judge’s directions to the jury in summing up were correct. The Institute of Judicial Studies provides ongoing training for all judges, particularly those who work in the District Court as they make up the majority of the judiciary. 11. They may think differently to male judges, and particularly in the multi-cultural nature of New Zealand now, the bench needs to reflect this better. 11 years of training usually required. Footer. The institute’s director, Janine McIntosh, says it provides a range of programmes for judges throughout their career. “But you still want to get it out as quickly as you can. While it may appear to be less pressure, it’s not because the job requires a huge amount of reading involved in a very short time. “Judges do have substantial authority both in the criminal and civil fields but that judicial power must always be exercised in accordance with the law. The Attorney-General may consider the advice of the Chief Judge or Principal Judges. “Judges from a constitutional standpoint are the third arm of Government, but a critical element of that is that they are independent of Parliament and the Cabinet.”. You will be provided with equipment by the local association who appoint a Chief Judge to give you specialised training and then monitor your progress and performance giving you advice, support and encouragement. These could perhaps look at legislation, social issues, or other related skills. For appointments to the bench, in the first instance advertisements go out from time to time inviting expressions of interest. There are only two women out of 10 judges on the Court of Appeal,” he says. Justice Randerson says it took some time for him to feel comfortable presiding over criminal trials. Justice Randerson says that’s a question which is widely misunderstood. Christopher Finlayson says the personal politics of a lawyer play no part in choosing judges. It needs to be done after conclusion of counsel’s addresses to the jury. Welcome to the Royal Federation of NZ Justices' Associations About Us. Marching New Zealand provides training for all Judges and are trained for the section they are adjudicating with qualifying levels at Trainee, Local, Regional, National and International. Sit-in on Level 1 and 2 classes three times with a National judge; Write at Level 1 and 2 five times with a National judge; Shadow-Judge at Level 1 and 2 three times with a National judge Judging is based on an awarding system and judges adjudicate in an objective and unbiased manner and in compliance with the criteria stipulated in the Technical Manual. Other areas of the Institute’s curriculum include programmes relating to the role of a judge with social context issues such as family violence, judge craft such as delivering judgments (written and oral), courtroom management and communication, and technical knowledge (evidence, bail and risk assessment, sentencing). There’s been a gap there since Sir Kenneth Keith left the judiciary about 10 years ago. Chances of becoming a judge are poor due to the small size of the occupation and high competition. Judge Marshall attended Auckland University, gaining a BA and LLB(Hons). After gaining her law degree, Judge Marshall joined Meredith Connell, the Office of the Crown Solicitor in Auckland. It wasn’t something he set out to do after graduating from law school. You kind of become a low-level judge and that's something I'd be quite interested in doing later on." Do you even have to be a litigation lawyer? How long does it take to become a judge? The New Zealand Dog Judges Association facilitates the education, promotion and representation of New Zealand Dog Judges. Mr Finlayson says when appointing people to the bench, he looks for rich experience. While every District Court Judge can preside over minor criminal matters, many judges specialise in particular aspects of the District Court system: jury trials, family, youth, civil or ACC appeals. Once the interview process has been completed, the final recommended selection list will be provided to the Attorney-General. I’ll make a choice from there,” says Mr Finlayson. A legal guardian, called a conservator in some states, is someone with the legal authority to care and make decisions for a minor child or incapacitated adult. Industry. 2 2 . Napier lawyer Jonathan Krebs' journey to become District Court judge . Marching New Zealand provides training for all Judges and are trained for the section they are adjudicating with qualifying levels at Trainee, Local, Regional, National and International. “It depends on the length and complexity of the trial but it can be a huge amount of work and it’s often done under immense pressure because the pace of a criminal trial is such that you can’t keep a jury waiting while you prepare your closing address. Practising lawyers are used to the pressure of fulfilling their professional development through continuing legal education courses. And in the civil context it comes down to whether the decision made was factually and legally correct. During her time at Meredith Connell, Judge … As a judge there is also a fair bit of circuit work, meaning that Justice Randerson was sometimes sitting in provincial areas, such as Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Whangarei and Gisborne. “An appeal hearing might only last half a day or perhaps two days at the most even though the case has taken weeks to conclude in the trial court,” he says. Judge Deborah Marshall is the Chief Coroner and was appointed to that position in February 2015. The financial rewards are regarded as good but it is no sinecure. It is at the discretion of the judge whether it is appropriate to respond to any communication. “Then what will happen is that the Chief Justice and a senior official from the Ministry of Justice, will summarise the various applications and provide me a shortlist which are then approved. Social and community services ; About the job. Judges also require much more than just experience in practice. Law clerks are referred to as judge's clerks in all four levels of the New Zealand court system. There are further bench specific orientation programmes such as criminal jury trial, family, youth and civil,” she says. In addition to appointment to that position the successful candidate will also be appointed a District Court Judge. “While you’re away from home, it does give you a good understanding of life outside the main centres and it’s very important to have that wider experience and insight into what it’s like to live in the rural or smaller areas of the country.”. Coach and Judge Education Through quality education, Gymnastics NZ will lead coaches, judges and presenters to achieve their full potential. Justice Randerson points out that very few people with a purely academic background are appointed to the High Court. To become a registered nurse in New Zealand you need to study a Bachelor's degree. “With three of you working on a problem, everyone thinks of different angles and in most cases you reach a consensus fairly quickly, perhaps more quickly than a trial judge.”. Women add a significant dimension to the judiciary and I’d encourage women practitioners to put their names forward and seek appointment to the bench.”. Those who have been appointed have proved to be capable and effective judges. After finishing that you have to write a stat exam. Family life and sports or similar activities are very important and cannot be forsaken,” he says. I was permanently in the Court of Appeal. Law; Vocational PathwaysMore. Justice Randerson says women often have insights that men simply don’t have. The table below provides information on who can apply, the type of judge you can shadow and the minimum number of legal post qualification experience (PQE) you will require to participate in the scheme. Justice Randerson has been both a trial and appellate judge and these roles have distinct differences. Then I thought it would be helpful to get someone on the bench with good knowledge in the public and international law area. When the selection process has reached the final shortlist, how do you determine who will be the right person for the job? You need stamina, you’re working hard and not necessarily having the full and normal sleep patterns sometimes. “It’s a tough job and it’s not one for people who aren’t in reasonably good health. To be eligible for appointment candidates must have held a practising certificate as a barrister or solicitor for at least seven years. Justice David Gendall taking the Judicial Oath at his swearing in ceremony at the old High Court in Wellington in June 2013. He was 50 when he became a judge. Getting the summing up to the jury right so that any question of appeal would be minimised. New Zealand’s way of appointing judges is no less complicated, nor is the process widely understood. Judges have the highest paying job in New Zealand, though pay varies and depends on the court they take charge at, they earn between $323,000 and $473,000 a year. This is the bare minimum for appointment as a High Court judge. Learning how to become a judge can help you determine if it's the right career path for you. There are 47 High Court Judges of whom only 15 are women. “There are many who have practised in Canada, the United States, England and Australia and if they approached me with an interest in serving on the bench, and they do from time to time, then I would certainly consider that application,” he says. You’ll need to provide proof of residency in the state or territory you want to work in by filling out a few forms and producing a few documents that show how long you’ve lived there.
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