Lawyers speak up for judge

Terence Arnold

The legal profession has rallied around former Solicitor-General Terence Arnold, after National MP Murray McCully launched a scathing attack on the newly appointed Court of Appeal judge.

Mr McCully, a lawyer, accused Mr Arnold of partisanship during his tenure as Solicitor-General. The MP said in his weekly newsletter that the move to the Court of Appeal was "a welcome end to the worst solicitor-generalship in recent memory" and "an unwelcome and undeserved taint for the second highest court in our land".

Bar Association president Jim Farmer said Mr McCully's views were not those of the profession in general, which held Mr Arnold in the highest respect.

While decisions by any solicitor-general were likely to be controversial, Mr Farmer said, it was strongly disputed that any of Mr Arnold's decisions were improper. He also supported Mr Arnold as an appropriate choice for the Court of Appeal.

"I have worked with and against him many times during the last 15 years in litigation and have nothing but respect for both his ability and integrity," the Queen's Counsel said.

Retired appeal court judge Ted Thomas called the attack "grossly unfair", adding that it would not help recruit lawyers to the judiciary if they were to be attacked by "disgruntled politicians".

Mr Arnold has had to deal with several high-profile cases involving politicians, including whether charges should follow the Prime Minister being accused of forging a painting and a high-speed dash by her motorcade across Canterbury, whether revelations about Cabinet Minister David Benson-Pope's teaching career warranted court action and whether events surrounding a contentious Family Court case should see National MP Nick Smith charged with contempt of court.

Mr McCully was unrepentant on learning of his scolding from Mr Farmer. "He is entitled to his view and I am entitled to mine."