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Story: Judicial system

Judicial conduct review process

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33955-enz Commissioner takes no action Commissioner dismissescomplaint Commissioner refers complaint to head of bench Judicial conduct commissioner receives written complaintabout judge Commissioner acknowledges receipt of complaint and notifies judge Commissioner examines complaint Commissioner recommends to attorney general that judicial conduct panel should be appointed Judicial conduct panel hearingexamines complaint Judicial conduct panel reports to attorney general its factual findingsand opinion on whether conduct justifies consideration of judges removal Attorney generalinitiates removal Attorney generaltakes no action For judges of the High Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appealand Employment Court For associate judgesand other judges Motion in Parliament for address to governor generalseeking removal Attorney general advises governor general Governor general removes judgefrom office

This diagram shows the process that occurs when a written complaint against a judge is made to the judicial conduct commissioner. When the commissioner believes it to be justified, he or she will refer the matter to a judicial conduct panel. The committee will investigate, and may recommend that removal of the judge be considered.

Using this item

Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Office of the Judicial Conduct Commissioner

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How to cite this page

Philip A. Joseph and Thomas Joseph, Judicial system – Judges, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/33955/judicial-conduct-review-process (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Philip A. Joseph and Thomas Joseph, published 25 May 2012, updated 11 October 2016.