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, Chief District Court Judge, Chief High Court Judge and Solicitor-General attend all or part of most meetings. All but the Chief High Court Judge also 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).
Members of the Rules Committee
( Constituted under the Judicature Act 1908 )
| Ex Officio | ||
|---|---|---|
| The Chief Justice, the Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias GNZM | ||
| The Chief High Court Judge, Hon Justice Randerson | ||
| The Chief District Court Judge, Judge R J Johnson | ||
| The Attorney-General, Hon Dr Michael Cullen | ||
| The Solicitor-General, Dr David Collins QC | ||
| Chief Executive, Ministry of Justice, Ms Belinda Clark | ||
| Appointed Members | Appointment Details | Expiry Date |
| Hon Justice Chambers, (appointed by the Chief Justice) | 3 years commencing 11 October 2007 | 10 October 2010 |
| Hon Justice Fogarty, chairperson (appointed by the Chief Justice) |
3 years commencing 1 March 2008 | 1 March 2011 |
| Judge Joyce QC (appointed by the Chief Justice on the recommendation of the Chief District Court Judge) | 3 years commencing 18 November 2005 | 17 November 2008 |
| Mr A C Beck (nominated by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society and approved by the Chief Justice) | 3 years commencing 28 August 2005 | 27 August 2008 |
| Mr B W F Brown QC (nominated by the Council of the New Zealand Law Society and approved by the Chief Justice) | 3 years commencing 1 February 2006 | 31 January 2009 |
| Appointed by the Chief Justice for Special Purposes | ||
| Appointed by the Chief Justice For Special Purposes: | ||
| Hon Justice Asher | Appointed 1 March 2008 | not more than 3 years (1 March 2011) |
| Hon Justice Stevens | Appointed 1 March 2008 | not more than 3 years (1 March 2011) |
| Judge Doherty | Reappointed 22 November 2007 | not more than 3 years (21 November 2007) |
| By Invitation | ||
| Parliamentary Counsel, Mr Hugo Hoffmann | ||
| Ms. L Sinclair, Ministry of Justice | ||