Work complexity emphasis

Press, 1 April 1980, Page 7

Work complexity emphasis

The vast increase in the cariety and complexity of the work of Supreme Courts since the first High Court was constituted in New Zealand 139 years ago was emphasised yesterday during a brief ceremony to mark the last day’s sitting of the Supreme. Court in Christchurch. Brief speeches were made before the morning session of the Court began, by Mr Justice-Casey and by the president of the Canterbury District Law Society (Mr G. T. Mahon). With his Honour on the Bench was Mr'Justice Cook, recently appointed as the third Judge.in Christchurch, while other representatives of the Law Society, and SupSupreme Court officers, were' also present.- - From today, -the Supreme Courts will be. replaced by High ..Courts. " ■ ’ . 1 ' ? ■ ’ The hew court will shed much, of its.civjlclaims work, ’ leaving High Court judges • more time, to -deal with important civil claims,, appeal i reviews, and major criminal ■ trials.... .' . Mr : Mahon said,that r - since I the first High Court-in New 1 ealand was constituted in JlB4l — with only one judge

who was also the Chief Justice — there had been a vast increase in the population served by the Courts, and in the variety and complexity of the work dealt with. The etsablishment of this court as the High Court from today would be something more than a.change of name; it would mark the transfer from This court of a substantial part of the jurisdiction which their Honours' had exercised . ’ This transfer of jurisdiction would relieve, the judges to some extent of the tremendous pressures they had been subjected to in the last few years. Mr Justice Casey said change would have results for the community, ..the courts, and legal profession far beyond the mere adoption of new titles and names., It represented a major shift in the course which theadministration of justice had taken in New Zealand over the .last 140 years.. . He said he was.certain the high .personal standards in the profession, which had led to this confidence over 140 years would be maintained in the new court structure.