Chief District Court Judge appointed

Attorney-General Margaret Wilson today announced the retirement of Judge David Carruthers as Chief District Court Judge and the appointment of Judge Russell Johnson as his successor.

Judge Johnson has been a District Court Judge since 1993. He served as Crown Counsel in Hong Kong from 1974 to 1977, barrister sole in Auckland from 1982 to 1986, and a partner in Wynyard Wood from 1986-1993. He is also a former Vice President of the Criminal Bar Association. In addition to serving as Executive Judge for the Northern Region and as Judge Advocate for Courts Martial, he has, on several occasions, acted as Chief District Court Judge in the incumbent’s absence.

Judge Carruthers’ last day at the court will be 31 March. Judge Johnson will take over the role on 1 April.

Margaret Wilson thanked Judge Carruthers for his 20 years of service to the bench. He began his judicial career as a District Court Judge and became Principal Youth Court Judge in 1996. He was appointed as Chief District Court Judge in 2001.