The Solicitor-General, Michael Heron QC, has decided to step down from the role. “When Mr Heron was appointed Solicitor-General in 2012, he indicated he would serve at least three years in the role,” the Attorney-General, Christopher Finlayson QC said. “His family has remained in Auckland and he has decided it is time to return home. He has agreed to stay on until a successor is appointed. During his three years in office Mr Heron has overseen significant reform of the Crown Law Office, the Crown prosecutions system and the Government Legal Network. He leaves Crown Law in a very strong position,” Mr Finlayson said.
Former Governor General and jurist Sir Anand Satyanand has been appointed a member of Transparency International’s global Advisory Council. His appointment is for five years. “This appointment is recognition of Sir Anand’s outstanding contribution to the campaign to end bribery and corruption around the globe,” Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) chair Suzanne Snively says. Sir Anand has been actively involved in Transparency International’s New Zealand Chapter and was until recently Patron of TINZ.
Professor Campbell McLachlan QC has been elected to the Institut de Droit International – a scholarly society devoted to the study and development of international law, an honour only bestowed on three other New Zealanders since 1873 including Sir Kenneth Keith. Members are elected on the basis of their notable contribution to scholarly work in the area of international law. A member of the Victoria University Law School faculty, Professor McLachlan has published research into the systemic integration of international law. He co-wrote the first modern treatise on International Investment Arbitration. He is a specialist editor of Dicey Morris & Collins on the Conflict of Laws. His most recent book Foreign Relations Law was published by Cambridge University Press in 2014.
Wellington barrister Jason McHerron has been appointed an adjudicator to the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal for a five-year term. Mr McHerron has been a barrister sole since 2006. Before that he worked for nearly seven years at the Crown Law Office as Crown Counsel, associate Crown Counsel and assistant Crown Counsel. He was a solicitor with Russell McVeagh before moving to Crown Law.
Bill Wilson QC has been appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal. Appointed a QC in 1996, Mr Wilson became a Court of Appeal Judge in 2007 before being appointed to the Supreme Court in 2008. He resigned in 2010 to practise as an arbitrator, mediator and legal adviser. He previously served on the Waitangi Tribunal from 1986 to 1995.
Chief Māori Land Court Judge Wilson Isaac has been reappointed to the Waitangi Tribunal, along with Blenheim barrister Ronald Crosby and Simpson Grierson special counsel David Cochrane.
Focus on special education needs
YouthLaw, a community law centre that specialises in helping people aged under 25, will hold its Annual General Meeting at 6pm on 29 October at its premises in Papatoetoe.
“Support for Students with Special Education Needs” is the theme of the meeting, where well-known advocate and presenter in the disability law sector, Nan Jensen will present a keynote speech.
Ms Jensen has experience both as a parent of children with special educational needs and also as an advocate and advisor for families of children with special educational needs. A solicitor at Quinn Law, Ms Jensen successfully challenged a decline of funding support for her special needs son when she moved to New Zealand.
YouthLaw Aotearoa is a community law centre for children and young people. Although its premises are in Papatoetoe, it is a national community law centre, and can be accessed via a free phone at 0800 884 529.
Law Revue a massive success
Over 650 people attended this year’s production of the Meredith Connell Wellington Law Revue. The show was a massive success with many people telling the production team it was the best Law Revue they had ever seen.
The management and preparation of the production was executed by the Law Revue Executive, headed by Executive Director Jade David Neale and including an Executive Assistant Director, Kariba McGinn, and two Executive Producers, Andrew Pullar and Matthew Crooymans.
This year’s production was loosely based on the Hunger Games, in a non-copyright breaching way. A group of type A third and fourth year law students, with limited knowledge and practical skills, were tasked with taking down the regime of President Colin Craig. As expected there was a happy ending with the New Zealand being restored to its glorious state.
Executive Director Jade Neale says “the Law Revue is a wonderful community organisation that really shapes the lives of all those who are involved. It’s a great way for law students and lawyers to do something different, meet amazing people, and make long lasting and meaningful connections. We couldn’t have done this without the help of our fantastically supportive sponsors and we intend to keep this brilliant tradition alive for many years to come.”