Supreme Court case information
Listed below are the substantive Supreme Court cases for the year along with appeals still to be determined or cases awaiting hearing.
Information giving an overview of the case is included along with media releases and links to judgments being appealed when available.
All 2024 - 2014 Supreme Court cases dismissed or deemed to be dismissed where a notice of abandonment was received can be found here.
Transcripts for cases heard before the Supreme Court are included provided they are not suppressed. Transcripts from pre-trial hearings are not published until the final disposition of trial. These are unedited transcripts and they are not a formal record of the Court’s proceedings. The Ministry of Justice does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any material and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use.
19 June 2026
Case information summary (as at 19 June 2026) – Cases where leave granted (PDF, 89 KB)
Case information summary (as at 19 June 2026) – Cases where leave to appeal decision not yet made (PDF, 126 KB)
All years
Case name
Mark Jospeh Hoggart v The King
Case number
SC 77/2023
Summary
Criminal Appeal
Result
A Mr Hoggart’s application for an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal is granted.
B The applications for leave to appeal are granted in part ([W] v R [2023] NZCA 155). The approved questions are:
1 Whether the Court of Appeal was correct to conclude that a media take down order was not required in the circumstances of this case.
2 Whether the Court of Appeal was correct to conclude that the verdicts were not unreasonable in light of admissible evidence relating to the potential culpability of Lester Hamilton (deceased).
C The applications for leave to appeal are otherwise dismissed.
D Interim order suppressing the name of W and any identifying particulars made on 9 June 2023 is to continue until further order.
12 December 2023
B The applications for leave to appeal are granted in part ([W] v R [2023] NZCA 155). The approved questions are:
1 Whether the Court of Appeal was correct to conclude that a media take down order was not required in the circumstances of this case.
2 Whether the Court of Appeal was correct to conclude that the verdicts were not unreasonable in light of admissible evidence relating to the potential culpability of Lester Hamilton (deceased).
C The applications for leave to appeal are otherwise dismissed.
D Interim order suppressing the name of W and any identifying particulars made on 9 June 2023 is to continue until further order.
12 December 2023
Date of hearing
06 August 2024
- 07 August 2024
Judges
Winkelmann CJ, Glazebrook, Williams, Kós and Miller JJ
Case Synopses
- Hearing date 6_7 August 2024 (PDF, 490 KB)
High Court decision
Not publicly available
Court of Appeal decision
Not publicly available
Leave judgment - leave granted
Case name
L (SC 80/2023) v The King
Case number
SC 80/2023
Summary
Criminal Appeal
Result
A Leave to appeal is granted (L (CA631/2021) v R [2023] NZCA 246).
B The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal was correct to dismiss the appeal.
3 November 2023
_____________________________________________
The appeal is dismissed.
11 November 2024
B The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal was correct to dismiss the appeal.
3 November 2023
_____________________________________________
The appeal is dismissed.
11 November 2024
Date of hearing
19 March 2024
Judges
Glazebrook, Ellen France, Williams, Kós, Miller JJ
Submissions from counsel
- Hearing 19 March 2024 Appellant oral outline (PDF, 198 KB)
Transcripts
- Hearing 19 March 2024 (PDF, 385 KB)
Case Synopses
- Hearing date 19 March 2024 (PDF, 443 KB)
Media Releases
- MR [2024] NZSC 153 (PDF, 263 KB)
District Court decision
Not publicly available
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave granted
L (SC 80/2023) v R [2023] NZSC 146 [3 November 2023] (PDF, 157 KB)
Supreme court decision
L (SC 80/2023) v R [2024] NZSC 153 [11 November 2024] (PDF, 556 KB)
Case name
Phillip John Smith v The King
Case number
SC 88/2023
Summary
Criminal Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
A The application for an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal is granted.
B The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
17 October 2023
B The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
17 October 2023
District Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
PHILLIP JOHN SMITH v R [2023] NZSC 134 [17 October 2023] (PDF, 196 KB)
Case name
Jane Alison Farish v The King
Case number
SC 90/2023
Summary
Criminal Appeal
Result
A Leave is granted in part (Dallison v R [2023] NZCA 282).
B The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal erred in declining to make the order sought by the applicant under s 205(2)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011.
C The application for leave to appeal is otherwise dismissed.
D We make an order prohibiting publication of the applicant’s name, address, occupation and identifying particulars and of the information to which the application under s 205(2)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 relates until final resolution of the appeal to this Court.
30 October 2023
_______________________________________________________
A The appeal is allowed.
B We make an order prohibiting publication of this judgment, the media release and the minutes, and any information therein, until the judgment is delivered at 2.00 pm on 11 June 2024.
C We make an order prohibiting publication of certain evidence and submissions contained in this judgment pursuant to s 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011. See paragraph [82].
D We make an order redacting parts of the judgment that is made publicly available.
E We make an order that the files for this appeal are not to be searched without the leave of a Judge of this Court.
11 June 2024
B The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal erred in declining to make the order sought by the applicant under s 205(2)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011.
C The application for leave to appeal is otherwise dismissed.
D We make an order prohibiting publication of the applicant’s name, address, occupation and identifying particulars and of the information to which the application under s 205(2)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 relates until final resolution of the appeal to this Court.
30 October 2023
_______________________________________________________
A The appeal is allowed.
B We make an order prohibiting publication of this judgment, the media release and the minutes, and any information therein, until the judgment is delivered at 2.00 pm on 11 June 2024.
C We make an order prohibiting publication of certain evidence and submissions contained in this judgment pursuant to s 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011. See paragraph [82].
D We make an order redacting parts of the judgment that is made publicly available.
E We make an order that the files for this appeal are not to be searched without the leave of a Judge of this Court.
11 June 2024
Date of hearing
28 February 2024
Judges
Winkelmann CJ, Glazebrook, Ellen France, Williams and Miller JJ
Case Synopses
- Hearing date 28 February 2024 SC 90/2023 (PDF, 475 KB)
Media Releases
- MR [2024] NZSC 65 (PDF, 333 KB)
High Court decision
Not publicly available
Court of Appeal decision
Not publicly available
Leave judgment - leave granted
F (SC 90/2023) v R [2023] NZSC 143 [30 October 2023] (PDF, 166 KB)
Substantive judgment
JANE ALISON FARISH v R [2024] NZSC 65 [11 June 2024] (PDF, 316 KB)
Case name
Ian James Burden, PGT Reclaimed (International) Limited and Plantation Grown Timbers (Vietnam) Limited v ESR Group (NZ) Limited
Case number
SC 96/2023
Summary
Civil Appeal
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is granted (ESR Group (NZ) Ltd v Burden [2023] NZCA 335).
B The approved questions are as follows:
(a) Was the Court of Appeal correct to conclude, for the purposes of s 9(1) of the Copyright Act 1994, that a copyright holder’s consent is not necessary for a work to be “in circulation”?
(b) Was the Court of Appeal correct to conclude, for the purposes of s 9(1) of the Copyright Act 1994, that circulation outside of New Zealand could constitute “circulation”?
7 December 2023
_____________________________________________
A The appeal is allowed.
B The High Court order awarding damages is reinstated.
C The respondent must pay the appellants costs of $25,000, plus usual disbursements. We allow for second counsel.
D Costs in the Courts below, if not agreed, can be settled by those Courts.
25 March 2025
B The approved questions are as follows:
(a) Was the Court of Appeal correct to conclude, for the purposes of s 9(1) of the Copyright Act 1994, that a copyright holder’s consent is not necessary for a work to be “in circulation”?
(b) Was the Court of Appeal correct to conclude, for the purposes of s 9(1) of the Copyright Act 1994, that circulation outside of New Zealand could constitute “circulation”?
7 December 2023
_____________________________________________
A The appeal is allowed.
B The High Court order awarding damages is reinstated.
C The respondent must pay the appellants costs of $25,000, plus usual disbursements. We allow for second counsel.
D Costs in the Courts below, if not agreed, can be settled by those Courts.
25 March 2025
Date of hearing
26 April 2024
Judges
Glazebrook, Ellen France, Williams Kós and O'Regan JJ
Submissions from counsel
- Hearing date 26 April 2024 Appellants Submissions (PDF, 2.3 MB)
- Hearing date 26 April 2024 Appellants Chronology Fact (PDF, 194 KB)
- Hearing date 26 April 2024 Appellants Chronology WCT dates (PDF, 215 KB)
- Hearing date 26 April 2024 Appellants Roadmap (PDF, 177 KB)
- Hearing date 26 April 2024 Appellants Further Submissions (PDF, 279 KB)
- Hearing date 26 April 2024 Respondent submissions (PDF, 351 KB)
- Hearing date 26 April 2024 Respondent Roadmap (PDF, 225 KB)
- Hearing date 26 April 2024 Respondent Further Submissions (PDF, 870 KB)
Transcripts
- Hearing date 26 April 2024 (PDF, 471 KB)
Case Synopses
- Hearing date 26 April 2024 (PDF, 447 KB)
Media Releases
- MR [2025] NZSC 18 (PDF, 291 KB)
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave granted
Substantive judgment
Case name
Tracey Jane Cridge, Mark Anthony Unwin, Katrina McKellar Fowler and Scott Woodhead v Studorp Limited and James Hardie New Zealand Limited
Case number
SC 98/2023
Summary
Civil Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
A The application for extension of time for leave to appeal against Cridge v Studorp Ltd [2023] NZCA 365 is granted.
B Any application must be filed on or before 20 working days after the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the substantive appeal.
2 November 2023
_________________________________________________________________________
A notice of abandonment having been filed, the application for leave to appeal is abandoned.
28 March 2025
B Any application must be filed on or before 20 working days after the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the substantive appeal.
2 November 2023
_________________________________________________________________________
A notice of abandonment having been filed, the application for leave to appeal is abandoned.
28 March 2025
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Court of Appeal decision
Supreme court decision
Case name
Seafood New Zealand Limited v Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Incorporated, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries and Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Limited
Case number
SC 99/2023
Summary
Civil appeal
Result
A Leave to appeal is granted (Fisheries Inshore New Zealand Ltd v Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc [2023] NZCA 359).
B The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal was correct to dismiss the appeal.
24 November 2023
____________________________________________________
A The appeal is allowed to the extent set out at [145] and [146].
B Costs are reserved.
12 September 2024
B The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal was correct to dismiss the appeal.
24 November 2023
____________________________________________________
A The appeal is allowed to the extent set out at [145] and [146].
B Costs are reserved.
12 September 2024
Date of hearing
23 April 2024
Judges
Winkelmann CJ, Glazebrook, Williams, Kós and Miller JJ
Submissions from counsel
- Hearing date 23 and 24 April 2024 Appellant submissions (PDF, 1.1 MB)
- Hearing date 23 and 24 April 2024 Appellant chronology (PDF, 767 KB)
- Hearing date 23 and 24 April 2024 First Respondent submissions (PDF, 416 KB)
- Hearing date 23 and 24 April 2024 First Respondent Oral outline (PDF, 137 KB)
- Hearing date 23 and 24 April 2024 Second Respondent submissions (PDF, 602 KB)
Transcripts
- Hearing date 23 April 2024 (PDF, 643 KB)
Case Synopses
- Hearing date 23 and 24 April 2024 (PDF, 366 KB)
Media Releases
- MR [2024] NZSC 111 (PDF, 282 KB)
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave granted
Substantive judgment
Videos
- SC 99/2023 Seafood NZ v Royal Forest and Bird (Recorded, 23 April 2024)
Case name
Tommy Apera Pori v Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections
Case number
SC 108/2023
Summary
Civil Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
A The application for an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal is granted.
B The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
5 March 2024
B The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
5 March 2024
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Case name
Jessie Arthur Heke-Gray v The King
Case number
SC 118/2023
Summary
Criminal Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
A The application for an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal is granted.
B The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
9 May 2024
B The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
9 May 2024
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
JESSIE ARTHUR HEKE-GRAY v R [2024] NZSC 54 [9 May 2024] (PDF, 231 KB)
Case name
John Howard Carter v Capital and Coast District Health Board, Hutt Valley District Health Board and Attorney-General (for the Ministry of Health)
Case number
SC 119/2023
Summary
Civil Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
A The application for an extension of time to file an application for leave to appeal is granted.
B The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
C The applicant must pay the third respondent costs of $1,000.
29 July 2024
___________________________________________
A The application for recusal is dismissed.
B The application for recall is dismissed.
C There is no order as to costs.
16 August 2024
B The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
C The applicant must pay the third respondent costs of $1,000.
29 July 2024
___________________________________________
A The application for recusal is dismissed.
B The application for recall is dismissed.
C There is no order as to costs.
16 August 2024
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Recall judgment
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