Judge reserves Moodie bankruptcy decision

A judge in the High Court at Palmerston North has reserved his decision on bankruptcy proceedings against Manawatu lawyer Rob Moodie.

Solicitor-General David Collins QC filed proceedings against Dr Moodie last October relating to $32,000 in costs, which the Court of Appeal awarded to the Crown after it succeeded in contempt proceedings against him.

Radio New Zealand reported today that the bankruptcy proceedings related to Dr Moody refusing to pay for legal work done in relation to contempt of court proceedings.

Those proceedings followed Dr Moodie's publishing of a secret report on the internet about the construction of a bridge on Margaret and Keith Berryman's farm that later collapsed and killed beekeeper Kenneth Richards.

At this week's hearing Dr Moodie argued the bankruptcy notice was invalid as the application filed was against Miss Alice, the alter ego he adopted during some court proceedings last year.

Associate judge David Gendall reserved his decision.

- NZPA