The Honourable Sir John McGrath | |
---|---|
Justice of the Supreme Court | |
In office 2005–2015 | |
Solicitor-General of New Zealand | |
In office 1989–2000 | |
Prime Minister | David Lange, Geoffrey Palmer, Mike Moore, Jim Bolger, Jenny Shipley, Helen Clark |
Preceded by | Paul Neazor |
Succeeded by | Terence Arnold |
Personal details | |
Born | John Joseph McGrath 10 March 1945 Wellington, New Zealand |
Died | 19 October 2018 Wellington, New Zealand | (aged 73)
Spouse | Christine Anne Swallow |
Relations | Denis McGrath (father) |
Sir John Joseph McGrath KNZM QC (10 March 1945 – 19 October 2018) was a judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, serving in that role from 2005 until 2015. [1] He was also a judge of the Court of Appeal from 2000 to 2005, and the Solicitor-General of New Zealand from 1989 to 2000.
Born in Wellington, McGrath attended Wanganui Collegiate School and graduated with an LL.M. from Victoria University of Wellington in 1968. He was a partner in Buddle Findlay, in Wellington, until he moved to the separate bar in 1984. He became Queen's Counsel in 1987 and he was Solicitor-General between 1989 and 2000. McGrath was appointed to the Court of Appeal in July 2000 and to the Supreme Court in May 2005. [2] In the 2007 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the Appeal and Supreme Courts. [3] In 2009, following the re-introduction of titular honours by the New Zealand government, McGrath accepted redesignation as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. [4] McGrath died in Wellington on 19 October 2018 at the age of 73. [5]