Family Court Judge Appointed

Michael Turner, Barrister of Blenheim has been appointed as a District Court Judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Judge Turner was admitted to the Bar in 1979 after graduating from Auckland University. He has practised as a Barrister sole in Blenheim since 1996 in criminal, family and civil law. His family practice included appointments as Senior Lawyer for Child, Youth Advocate, Counsel to assist Court, Counsel to act for protected persons including mental health, mediation and Counsel for the Central Authority under the Hague Convention. He is a member of the Crown Prosecution Panel and has made numerous contributions to the Marlborough District Law Society.

He was previously a partner at Wisheart Macnab & Partners (Blenheim) and a staff solicitor at the Auckland firms, Cairns Slane and Holmden Horrocks & Co.

Judge Turner will be sworn in on 26 July 2011 at Blenheim.