Post by Kiwi Frontline on Nov 9, 2018 16:23:26 GMT 12
HIGH COURT JUDGE ASKS IF INTERPRETER NEEDED FOLLOWING LAWYER'S COMMENTS IN TE REO
A High Court judge asked a lawyer if she wanted an interpreter, after she introduced herself to the court in te reo Māori.
Under the Māori Language Act, lawyers, Judges and witnesses have the right to speak Māori in the country's courts.
Justice Timothy Brewer told Crown Law lawyer Zannah Johnston that she had the right to speak Māori in court but the rules required her to give three days notice.
"But more importantly, forgetting about the rules, I don't speak Māori. That is my shame, but I do not speak Māori, and I cannot have counsel speaking in my court if I don't know what they are saying, the public doesn't know what they are saying and other counsel don't know what they are saying," Justice Brewer said at the hearing on Tuesday......
www.stuff.co.nz/national/108484718/high-court-judge-asks-if-interpreter-needed-following-lawyers-comments-in-te-reo?
A High Court judge asked a lawyer if she wanted an interpreter, after she introduced herself to the court in te reo Māori.
Under the Māori Language Act, lawyers, Judges and witnesses have the right to speak Māori in the country's courts.
Justice Timothy Brewer told Crown Law lawyer Zannah Johnston that she had the right to speak Māori in court but the rules required her to give three days notice.
"But more importantly, forgetting about the rules, I don't speak Māori. That is my shame, but I do not speak Māori, and I cannot have counsel speaking in my court if I don't know what they are saying, the public doesn't know what they are saying and other counsel don't know what they are saying," Justice Brewer said at the hearing on Tuesday......
www.stuff.co.nz/national/108484718/high-court-judge-asks-if-interpreter-needed-following-lawyers-comments-in-te-reo?