The superior court of first instance, with inherent jurisdiction inherited from the English superior courts. It hears the most serious crime, judicial review under the Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016, and commercial claims above the District Court limit. Judges sit in registries across the country, and the court has a specialist commercial list.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- first instance
- Court type
- Superior court of general jurisdiction
- Jurisdiction
- Inherent jurisdiction: serious criminal trials, high-value civil claims, judicial review of administrative action, insolvency, admiralty, and appeals from the District Court.
- Seat
- Wellington
- Established
- 1841
- Composition
- The Chief High Court Judge and other High Court judges, sitting alone or with a jury in criminal trials.
- Appointment
- Appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Attorney-General.
- Languages
- English, Māori
Where an appeal goes next
Appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Filing at this court
- Judicial review
- No fixed statutory limit, but relief may be refused for undue delay
- Civil jurisdiction
- Claims above the District Court limit of NZ$350,000
Found something out of date on High Court of New Zealand?
Corrections are reviewed against the primary source before anything changes.