The Rules Committee is required by s 51B of the Judicature Act to have 11 mandatory members: the Chief Justice; the Chief High Court Judge and two other judges of the High Court appointed by the Chief Justice; the Chief District Court Judge; one other district court judge appointed by the Chief Justice on the recommendation of the Chief District Court Judge; the Attorney-General; the Solicitor-General; the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Justice; and two barristers and solicitors nominated by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society and approved by the Chief Justice (s 51B(1)).
The Chief Justice may appoint any other person to be a member for a special purpose. That person holds office during the pleasure of the Chief Justice (s 51B(2)).
The Chief Justice and Chief High Court Judge attend all or part of most meetings. Other members may have a permanent nominee who attends meetings whether or not the principal member is present. Nominees are full members of the committee for all purposes other than the formal execution of concurrences. Concurrences are signed by a nominee only where the nominee has been appointed by the Chief Justice pursuant to s 51B(2).
