A new judicial complaints process became reality from August 1 2005, with “The Judicial Conduct Commissioner and Judicial Conduct Panel Act 2004” coming into effect.

According to the media statement issued by the government, the Act “establishes a transparent and accessible process for people to make complaints about the conduct of Judges, and allows for a full investigation of those complaints”.

Ian Haynes ONZM has been appointed to the role of Judicial Conduct Commissioner. Attorney General Michael Cullen described Mr. Haynes as a “long-standing and prominent member of the legal profession” and said he was “superbly qualified for the job”.

The Act aims to strengthen the link between complainants, parliament, and the courts. If a complaint is upheld, governments can now effectively remove a judge on the basis of that complaint.

This has big consequences for parents who have felt either powerless in court cases involving the custody of their children, or that they were treated unfairly by a judge or other official in the Family Court.