Minister names court Masters

Press, 28 July 1987, Page 12

Minister names court Masters

PA Wellington The first two High Court Masters appointed since the positions were created last year will begin work in Auckland soon, said the Minister of Justice, Mr Palmer. They are Mrs Anne Gambrill and Mr Roland Towle. A third Master would be appointed soon. Masters, who were judicial officers in their own right, would relieve judges of many procedural matters often heard “in chambers,” said Mr Palmer. The position of Master was created by an amendment to the Judicature Act, 1908. Like High Court judges, Masters had to have at least seven years experience as barristers or solicitors. Masters’ work involved summary judgments, winding-up proceedings under the Companies'Act, assessing damages where liability was found, trials where only the amount of debt or damages was disputed, proceedings related to caveats under the Land Transfer Act, and

making orders by consent Mr Palmer said Masters would have limited jurisdiction under the Insolvency Act and in other applications of the Companies Act. They would also be given powers to deal with costs on cases already tried in the High Court.

Mrs Gambrill first worked for Russell McVeagh and Company in Auckland, and was then employed for five years by M. H. Vautier, Q.C. In 1970 she joined Mackay and Gambrill, in which her husband is a partner, and became a partner in that firm a year later.

Mr Towle worked in Auckland for three years after qualifying. He joined the British Colonial Service, and became a District Commissioner in Uganda. His final position before Independence was Senior Courts Adviser.

He rejoined the family firm of Towle and Cooper in Auckland, becoming a partner in 1964. When the firm merged with Brandon Brookfield in 1984 Mr Towle became a full-time consultant.