About the Court

On these pages you will find information about the role and work of District Court Judges.

• The Judicial Branch of Government

  The New Zealand system of Government is based on the separation of powers between the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. This separation provides checks...

• The District Court Judiciary

  On these pages you will find information about the District Court Judiciary.

• Our Vision and Our Values

  This graphic is also available in pdf format: District-Court-Vision-and-Values.pdf

• Judges Review Their Year in Work

  Each year Judges explore different aspects of law, their roles and the experiences they bring to the bench. 2019 How a sentence indication can offer certainty The complexities...

• Judges Talk About the Law

  In 2018 judges of the District Court explore aspects and processes of the law they interpret and apply.  * Please note that information in this section...

• Judges at Work

  In 2017 individual judges explained their roles and the diverse skills and experience they bring to the bench. * Please note that information in this section...

• How District Court Judges Make Decisions

  The role of a judge is to make or facilitate decisions in accordance with New Zealand’s laws. In order to perform this role, a judge...

• Judges and the Wider Community

  The role of judges is to serve the public. All judges do this by applying the law — which is made by the democratic legislature —...

• Useful Links

  If you are seeking independent legal advice: Find a lawyer by searching the New Zealand Law Society's directory of lawyers. Community Law Centres provide free one-on-one legal help...