New High Court Judge appointed

Douglas White QC has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice White, a graduate of Victoria University of Wellington, joined Young Bennett & Co after a stint working for the Law Commission in London. He later became a partner of that firm and also Young Swan Morison McKay (now Kensington Swan). Justice White left the firm for the independent bar in 1986 and was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1988. He retained his association with Victoria University, acting as Pro-Chancellor and Chancellor for nine years.

As a barrister, Justice White's principal area of practice was civil litigation, with an emphasis on administrative, commercial and taxation law. He also conducted three Government inquiries and provided legal advice to the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct.

The new Judge's appointment will take effect on 24 August 2009 and he will sit in Auckland.