All information given here is to be kept confidential to judicial officers until announced by the Chief Justice and/or Attorney-General.
It has been a busy month for judicial appointments.
Appointments
We welcome our newest District Court judges:
Sarah Margaret Morrison of Wellington
Ms Morrison has specialised in family law throughout her career, having spent the early part working as a solicitor in Wellington at Tripe Matthews & Feist and Hayman Lawyers before a move to Christchurch, where she spent four years leading a family law team at Cavell Leitch Pringle & Boyle. Between 2007 and 2011 Ms Morrison was an instructor and then programme manager at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies. Upon her return to full-time practice in 2015, Ms Morrison was a senior associate and then partner at Lower Hutt firm ARL Lawyers. Ms Morrison has been practicing as a barrister since 2019, is an approved lawyer for child, lawyer for subject person, lawyer to assist, member of the Law Society’s National Friends Panel, and a Standards Committee convenor.
Judge Morrison will be sworn in on 2 May 2022 at the Lower Hutt District Court, Wellington and will take up her appointment with a Family Court warrant at Waitakere District Court.
Alexander (Alex) Rangiheua Henry Laurenson of New Plymouth
Mr Laurenson was admitted to the Bar in 2000 and commenced as a staff solicitor at Govett Quilliam in New Plymouth before a move to Porirua, firstly as in-house counsel for Child, Youth and Family, and then as a staff solicitor and associate at the Catriona Doyle and Rohan Cochrane Law Office. He returned to New Plymouth in 2007, rejoining Govett Quilliam and has been a partner in that firm since 2008. He has specialised in family law and general private litigation throughout his career and has extensive court experience, including trust and estate litigation. He has appeared extensively as the court-appointed lawyer to represent children. Mr Laurenson has governance experience, having held a number of trustee positions for community groups and charitable organisations and has been involved in sports administration roles.
Judge Laurenson will be sworn in on 4 May 2022 at the New Plymouth District Court, and will take up his appointment with a Family Court Warrant initially at the Manukau District Court, following which he will take up permanent residence at Papakura District Court.
Jane (Janey) Louise Forrest of Wellington
Ms Forrest has worked in litigation in Wellington for over 25 years. She was a partner in the firm Darroch Forrest Lawyers before becoming a barrister in 2020. Her practice has an emphasis on family law (including lawyer for child) and insurance. Ms Forrest’s insurance work primarily involves representing professionals (lawyers and health professionals) in civil litigation, complaints, and disciplinary processes. In recent years she has also been involved in CLE: as faculty on the Litigation Skills Programme and a presenter at Stepping Up.
Judge Forrest will be sworn in on 12 May 2022 at the Wellington District Court, and will take up her appointment with a Jury warrant at Manukau District Court.
We welcome our newest High Court judge:
Justice Kiri Tahana, Te Arawa (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Mākino and Tapuika) has been appointed to the High Court. The Chief Justice said Justice Tahana has knowledge of diverse areas of the law and business gained over her 25 years in practice. “Justice Tahana has extensive domestic and international experience in commercial, corporate (including regulatory and competition) law and litigation, along with considerable expertise in advising on matters relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. She speaks te reo and has a sound knowledge of tikanga in practice.”
In addition, some welcomed movements within the senior courts were recently announced
Steve Kos to the Supreme Court, Mark Cooper to fill his spot as President of the Court of Appeal and Sarah Katz up to the Court of Appeal.
And we bid a farewell to The Honourable Justice William Young from the Supreme Court.
JANZ wishes all the very best. Ko a mātau mihi ki a koe katoa!
Farewells
It is with great sadness that we recall the recent passing of retired Judge Barry Morris.
The family will be holding a private funeral. A celebration of Judge Morris’ life will be held on Wednesday 27 April 2022 at 3pm, at the North Lounge, North Harbour Rugby Stadium, Albany, Auckland.
Peter Boshier said, “I adored Barry — there was something in our relationship that I think we had a mutual respect and liking for each other — we were both slightly mischievous. When we got sworn in at the same time I remember him saying to me, because I was so much younger, that upon retirement I'd be exactly his age upon being sworn in. I have enduring memories of jokes and stories. His stock greeting to me in the morning was “Hello Bosh, anything to report?” And Rob Osborne recalled, “Barry Morris was one of the judges when I worked at the MOJ. Barry was a marvellous judge and one of the funniest judges to clerk for. Indeed there was never a dull moment with Judge Barry in the 'big seat’. Court has its serious and sterile moments, but Judge Morris often left lawyers, court staff, and defendants in hysterics with his amazing sense of humour. Barry loved his rugby and always talked about the many North Shore teams. Thank you for the memories Judge Morris.”
Condolonces to the family and friends of Judge Morris. May you rest in peace Judge Barry Morris.