John Maassen acts as Commissioner and Chair for two resource consent hearings.
Barristers.Comm Attends the Wellington Club Ball
On Saturday 25th of May, the Wellington Club held an Alice in Wonderland themed ball. Several of our members attended and had a fantastic time socialising and enjoying the hospitality of the Wellington Club.
Christopher Griggs Appointed as Member of the Veterans Entitlements Appeal Board
The Minister for Veterans has appointed Barristers.Comm member, Christopher Griggs, as a member of the Veterans' Entitlements Appeal Board pursuant to section 241 of the Veterans' Support Act 2014 for a two-year term commencing on 21 April 2019. The function of the Appeal Board is to determine appeals against review decisions made under Part 7 of the Act. The Appeal Board has a range of powers including powers to receive and take evidence, require documents, and summon witnesses. There is a right of appeal to the High Court against a determination of the Appeal Board, but only on a question of law.
Christopher Griggs Appointed as Counsel for The Kosovo Specialist Chambers
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers are part of the judicial system of Kosovo. The Chambers are attached to each level of the Kosovo court system. They were established by a Constitutional Amendment and a Law adopted by the Kosovo Assembly to conduct trials for allegations stemming from a 2011 Council of Europe report, which alleges serious violations of international law.
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers are of temporary nature with a specific mandate and jurisdiction, namely over certain crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes under Kosovo law which allegedly occurred between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2000. The Law allows for the relocation of the proceedings outside Kosovo, and the Specialist Chambers have a seat in The Hague (see image). They are staffed with international judges, prosecutors and staff. On ANZAC Day, Barristers.Comm member Christopher Griggs was appointed as Counsel on the List of Specialist Counsel and the List of Victims’ Counsel before the Specialist Chambers.
The Trusts Bill 2017 - David McLay
David McLay discusses the slow moving nature of the Trusts Bill 2017.
Article here
Cassandra Kenworthy on the New Lawyer podcast
Cassandra was on the New Lawyer podcast this week, talking about working as a barrister, her work in animal law, networking, academic writing and practising law with a chronic illness.
The podcast can be accessed here, or find it on any podcast app.
Christopher Griggs talks to Radio New Zealand about Military Law Reform in Fiji
On 26 February 2019, RNZ broadcast an interview with chambers member Christopher Griggs about Fiji’s military justice review and its importance for insuring compliance with the human rights guaranteed by Fiji’s Constitution.
Hear Christopher at 16:00.
Cassandra Kenworthy talks to Newshub about 1080 alternative
Cassandra Kenworthy spoke to Newshub last week about the potential of a new GE alternative to 1080. Cassandra is an expert in Animal Law.
Article Here:
Christopher Griggs in Suva for military law reform project
Barristers.Comm member, Christopher Griggs, is currently in Suva for initial meetings with Fiji’s Minister of Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs, Chief Justice and senior officials of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces as part of a New Zealand Government-sponsored, Fiji-led initiative to reform Fiji’s military law. He will return to Wellington on 23 February 2019.
Commander Griggs with Hon Inia Seruiratu, HE Jonathan Curr (New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji)
Christopher Griggs Rejoins Navy
On 5 February 2019, chambers member Christopher Griggs was attested as a Commander in the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve. Christopher has been appointed by the New Zealand Defence Force to lead its contribution to a root-and-branch reform of the military justice system of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. While this work will take Christopher to Suva from time to time, he will do most of the work (and maintain the remainder of his practice) from Barristers.Comm in Wellington.
