Hon Christopher Finlayson
Attorney-General

21 February 2012 Media Statement


Appointment of Dr David Collins QC as High Court Judge

Solicitor-General David Brian Collins QC has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Collins graduated with an LLB (Hons) (First Class) from Victoria University of Wellington in 1975, subsequently gaining an LLM in 1976 and an LLD in 1993, also both from Victoria University.

Justice Collins commenced practice with Chapman Tripp in 1979, leaving in 1982 to join the firm now known as Rainey Collins, where he subsequently became a partner, specialising in appearances before professional disciplinary tribunals.

He was admitted to the State of Victoria Bar and the High Court of Australia Bar in 1986.

In 1995 he left the partnership to go to the Independent Bar, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2000.

In September 2006 Justice Collins was appointed Solicitor-General and joined the Crown Law Office.

Prior to his appointment as Solicitor-General, Justice Collins was Chair of the Accident Compensation Commission, and Chair of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. From 2000 to 2001 he was a consultant to the World Health Organisation. Justice Collins is an Executive Vice President and member of the Board of Governors, World Association of Law and Medicine. He has published a number of articles and was the author of “Medical Law in New Zealand” in 1992.

The new Judge will sit in Wellington.

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