Squabbling judges stir polo alley

By JAMES GARDINER

As district court judges they were close friends, shared an interest in horses and even built luxury homes next door to each other - but they have fallen out so badly one judge has moved to a different district.

The spat between Jane Lovell-Smith and Mary-Beth Sharp has been the talk of the Auckland legal profession and left neighbours on the lifestyle blocks in rural South Auckland shaking their heads.

There were even suggestions that Judge Lovell-Smith and her family had taken legal action against Judge Sharp and her family.

Their dispute is over floodlights that Judge Sharp put around an equestrian arena on her property.

Neil Billington, a spokesman for Chief District Court Judge David Carruthers, said this week that there were no proceedings involving the pair, but would not say whether that meant no proceedings involving their families or family trusts.

"There are privacy issues here and I don't really think the media have the right to inquire into that information, but I can tell you that there are no legal proceedings, hence there is no dispute."

He confirmed that two months ago Judge Lovell-Smith was transferred at her request from Manukau District Court, where Judge Sharp sits, to the Auckland District Court.

For several years both judges sat at the Papakura District Court and transferred together to the Manukau District Court when it opened about 18 months ago.

But when Judge Sharp had the retractable lights installed, it seems Judge Lovell-Smith objected that they were upsetting her horses or shining into her house, or both.

The lights were "very bright", according to a neighbour.

"I was aware the [Lovell-Smith household] weren't that happy about it.

"But then about two weeks later they were gone and I thought that was the end of it."

Another neighbour said the dispute was ongoing. "It's bloody ridiculous," he said. "Crazy stuff."

Neither judge would discuss their dispute.

"So sorry I can't help you," said Judge Lovell-Smith, adding that she had "absolutely nothing" to say.

Judge Sharp did not return calls and was not at home when visited.

Their properties are two of four down a private lane in the heartland of polo, pony clubs and Range Rovers. All four have valuations in excess of $700,000 and several in the same road are worth more than $1 million. Signs warn that security cameras are operating.

The contentious arena is on the boundary, closer to Judge Lovell-Smith's home than to Judge Sharp's.

A third neighbour said Judge Sharp's sons were top riders and used the arena to practise for competitive showjumping events.

* james_gardiner@nzherald.co.nz