Principal Disputes Referee

Janet Robertshawe was appointed as Principal Disputes Referee in March 2021. Prior to that, she had adjudicated since 2008 in the both the Disputes Tribunal and Tenancy Tribunals in Southland and Wellington.

Janet is originally from Wellington. She graduated from Otago University in 1992 with an LLB (Hons) and BCom (Economics) and began her career in law at Bell Gully in Wellington, before spending time in the Ministry of Commerce and in the Minister’s office as a seconded private secretary. 

Janet was then outside the law for many years, living and working on a large sheep and beef station east of Dannevirke, and having a family.  She then re-entered general practice in 2005 when the family moved to Invercargill and was appointed to Tribunal work in 2008.  Janet returned to Wellington in 2015, continuing her work in both Tribunals. 

In 2023, Janet joined with other Tribunal Chairs to form Tribunals Aotearoa, a collaboration of 36 main Tribunals in New Zealand.  The Disputes Tribunal is unique in its dual status as a division of the District Court and as a Tribunal set up under its own legislation and Rules.  Given the role of the Disputes Tribunal in both Courts and Tribunals, Janet’s involvement on the Committee helps to provide more meaningful collaboration between the judiciary and the wider landscape of judicial officers operating outside the Courts.