New Zealand Judges Overpaid, Says Professor

Auckland University law professor Bill Hodge believes New Zealand judges are overpaid, as reported by Lawfuel.co.nz.

However, before lawyers start their 'I told you so' hand-rubbing, he also thinks charge out rates in New Zealand are too high, as well.

Comparing judicial pay rates with what is earned by US judges in particular, Professor Hodge thinks they are significantly overpaid.

The eight associate Supreme Court judges are paid $US213,900 each. In New Zealand a humble District Court judge receives $300,500, plus an allowance of $4,100. "At current rates of about $.82 US for the NZ dollar, that is about $246,000 in US dollars or about 10%more than the US Chief Justice."

Why, Professor Hodge asks, would District Court judges with their limited jurisdiction get more than the US Chief Justice?Although he doesn't doubt that DCJs work hard as the "workhorses" in the system, they do not have the ultimate and unlimited responsibility of the US Supreme Court, not to mention the lower paid US District Court Judges.

Read more at LawFuel here - http://www.lawfuel.co.nz/news/1061/nz-judges-overpaid-says-law-professor

ENDS

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