Heather du Plessis-Allan: Judges should not be above criticism

Let's talk about judges for a minute. 

So, the Law Society today has come out in defence of judges and in the face of all the criticism that they've been copping lately. The Law Society has asked that we please stop criticising the judges. It's in an opinion piece written by Fraser Barton, who is the president of the Law Society. He says the way that we're talking about the judiciary and their decisions might be harmful to this important institution. He says we are wrong to accuse especially the Supreme Court of Judicial activism. And, if we carry on the way that we are, it might end up with people losing confidence in the judiciary, which means that they won't trust the courts to look after them. 

Gary Judd KC: NZLS Jumps the Gun in Taking Panel Recommendations to Government

On 24 August, the New Zealand Law Society released the response of the NZLS Council to the recommendations made in the Independent Review Report. The Society advised that it had “provided its response to the Minister of Justice, so that it can be considered for the Government’s legislative agenda.”

The body of the Response indicates the Council considered there are many matters requiring further consideration. It is disappointing that the Society has rushed to engage with the government to get something on the “legislative agenda” before engaging with the profession on the issues where there is significant disagreement even within the Council.