When Does Justice Become ‘True Crime’ Spectacle? John Bowie, LawFuel publisher Scandalous criiminal trials have long been the stuff of entertainment and intrigue, but the question of who holds the moral compass when it comes to making popcorn from popular crime is something that is an increasing issue, most recently highlighted with an Auckland Law […]
Our State Broadcasters Have Crossed the Line It’s time for a full, urgent, independent editorial inquiry into TVNZ and RNZ By Ashley Church, widely read and watched political and business commentator For years we believed that the BBC was the gold standard of public broadcasting. Trusted. Balanced. Above the fray. That myth is now in
The search to replace Solicitor-General Una Jagose KC, who steps down in February after a decade in New Zealand’s second-highest legal role, has commenced with the ‘dual role’ being advertised now. A Dual Role at the Constitutional Summit The dual position, which serves as both Junior Law Officer of the Crown and Chief Executive of
New Zealand Legal Career Move – The Role That Combines Power, Prestige and $600K+ Read More »
Britomart Chambers has captured its first Judge returning to the Bar with the Hon Justice Geoffrey Venning agreeing to join the Chambers in 2026 after 10 years as a High Court Judge, including five years as Chief High Court Judge. >> New legal role? Check LawFuel’s growing law jobs network The trend for retiring judges
Britomart Capture A High Court Judge – Signalling A Growing Trend For ‘Retirees’ Read More »
John Bowie, LawFuel Publisher The death of former Supreme Court judge Bill Wilson KC in September has been marked by a striking silence within New Zealand’s legal and media circles, a fact that itself seems more noteworthy than any tribute or obituary could be. The Press pubished a respectful piece from Martin Van Beynen, (who
The New Zealand Legal Profession’s Disgraceful Silence Over The Death of Bill Wilson Read More »
James Farmer KC Former Court of Appeal and Supreme Court Judge Bill Wilson KC has recently died (12 September 2025), a sad event to those who knew him. Surprisingly, this has gone virtually unheralded (The Press being the only report). This note is intended to redress that omission. Bill’s career as a practicing lawyer was
As New Zealand celebrates the appointment of twelve new King’s Counsel for 2025, we have published some reflections from the doyen of the New Zealand Bar, James Farmer KC, who marks an impressive four decades since his own appointment to Silk. Jim Farmer’s reflection include reference to Tiana Epati, a groundbreaking figure as the first
Four Decades of Silk – A King’s Counsel Reflects on New Zealand’s Legal Evolution Read More »
ANZ’s Fairness Fantasy John Bowie, LawFuel publisher Few corporate moments are more revealing than watching a major bank discover that equality before the law cuts both ways, especially when the cutting edge is pointed at them. ANZ’s reaction to this week’s Finance and Expenditure Committee report offers a masterclass in selective principle. The bank appears
Select Committee Blocks ANZ’s Legislative End Run In a decision that sent tremors through the executive suites of New Zealand’s banking establishment, Parliament’s Finance & Expenditure Select Committee has delivered what can only be described as a judicial body blow to Big Banking’s most audacious gambit yet: attempting to legislate away a class action mid-flight.
The Rising Power Lawyer Who Sees Class Action Survive Retroactive Assault Read More »
Family at War Fight With Extradition and Caveats Wellington criminal lawyer Paul Surridge, previously engaged in high-profile disputes over his late father’s estate, has lodged caveats on property held by his wife, Marion Pearson, following her extradition to Australia to face allegations of misappropriating more than AUD 4 million. The Inland Revenue Department seeks to
Wellington Criminal Lawyer Lodges Property Claim After Wife’s Extradition Read More »
