High court in new zealand

The High Court of New Zealand is the superior court of record in New Zealand, with jurisdiction over the entire country. It is the highest court in New Zealand, except for the Supreme Court of New Zealand, which is the final court of appeal.

Here are some key facts about the High Court of New Zealand:

Jurisdiction: The High Court has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, including appeals from the District Courts and the Māori Land Court.

Structure: The High Court is divided into three divisions:

1. The Auckland Registry: This is the largest registry and is located in Auckland.
2. The Wellington Registry: This registry is located in Wellington and has jurisdiction over the North Island.
3. The Christchurch Registry: This registry is located in Christchurch and has jurisdiction over the South Island.

Judges: The High Court has a total of 45 judges, who are appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Attorney-General. Judges are appointed for life, unless they retire or are removed from office.

Criminal jurisdiction: The High Court has jurisdiction over all criminal cases, including murder, manslaughter, and other serious offenses. It also has jurisdiction over appeals from the District Courts in criminal cases.

Civil jurisdiction: The High Court has jurisdiction over all civil cases, including contract disputes, tort claims, and family law matters. It also has jurisdiction over appeals from the District Courts in civil cases.

Appeals: The High Court has the power to hear appeals from the District Courts and the Māori Land Court. It also has the power to hear appeals from its own decisions.

Māori jurisdiction: The High Court has jurisdiction over Māori land and Māori customary law matters, including disputes over Māori land and the interpretation of Māori customary law.

International jurisdiction: The High Court has jurisdiction over international cases, including cases involving foreign parties or foreign law.

Court procedures: The High Court follows a formal court procedure, which includes the filing of pleadings, the exchange of evidence, and the presentation of arguments by counsel. The court also has the power to make interim orders, such as injunctions and freezing orders.

Court records: The High Court maintains a public record of all cases heard by the court, including judgments, orders, and other documents. These records are available to the public and can be accessed through the court's website or in person at the court registry.