When Judge MacKenzie joined the bench in 2008, “you didn’t talk to a defendant. The convention was you heard from them through their lawyer. That’s all changed”.
As an example of the greater understanding today of the challenges court participants may face, she says: “I’m starting a criminal judge-alone trial this morning and there are two communication assistants – one for the key Crown witness and one for the defendant. In 2008, that would have been virtually unheard of. That’s very much a move in the right direction.”
Another, she says, is the increased diversity of the bench. “One of the things I got constantly in 2008 was ‘You don’t look like a judge’. We’ve evolved a lot since then. We’re here to represent the community and it’s important our bench reflects that.” Judge MacKenzie, who also sits in the Youth Court, had judicial approaches she admired when she was a lawyer. “There was one judge in particular,” she says. “He was fair but firm, had an excellent knowledge of the law and had excellent interpersonal skills. I thought, ‘If I can be half the judge he is then I’ll be doing okay.’”
This website explains many of the things you might want to know if you are coming to the Youth Court, or just wondering how the Youth Court works.
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Ministry of Justice website with information on family issues including about going to court, forms and other times when you may need help.
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For information about courts and tribunals, including going to court, finding a court & collection of fines and reparation.
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On this site you will find information about our Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court including recent decisions, daily lists and news.
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