Wellington Queen's Counsel Helen Cull has been appointed a Judge of the High Court.

She will be sworn in as a High Court Judge at 4 pm on Friday 8 July 2016 at the Old High Court, Stout Street, Wellington Practitioners are invited to attend the ceremony. Full ceremonial dress (wigs and gowns). Those without wigs will sit behind those with wigs.

Helen Cull QC extends a warm invitation to lawyers to drinks afterwards at the Wellesley Club, Maginnity Street, at 5:30 p.m.

Justice Cull has extensive litigation experience, having undertaken criminal trials in the District Court and High Court and appellate work in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court as well as appearing in the Privy Council.

She has also undertaken two International Court of Justice missions.

Justice Cull has conducted 14 inquiries including the Scampi Inquiry, the Adverse Medical Events Inquiry, the Fire Services Inquiry and significant medico-legal and mental health inquiries.

Recently as Chair and Chief Commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, Justice Cull oversaw approximately 65 inquiries.

She was also Senior Advisory District Inspector of Mental Health.

The new Judge will sit in Wellington.

Justice Cull graduated with a LLB(Hons) in 1978 from Victoria University of Wellington and began her legal career at Brandons. In 1983 she joined the partnership of Tripe Matthews and Feist, leaving in 1990 to join the independent bar. She was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1997.