4 minute read
Access to Justice
Jacqui Thompson*
One of the highlights of the Trans-Tasman Conference was the gala dinner at which the LexisNexis/ New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake oTe Ture Access to Justice Award was presented.
In 2022 we launched the inaugural LexisNexis/New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o Te Ture Access to Justice Award. The winner of that first Award, Frances Joychild KC, had the pleasure of presenting the 2024 Award to our third winner, Annette Te Imaima Sykes (Te Arawa, Ngāti Makino, Ngāti Pikiao).
This Award was born out of discussions with community stakeholders and those whose practices included significant legal aid, pro bono, low bono and alternative fee-charging components. Many felt they were not recognised for the vital work that they undertook. We wanted to say thank you and make it clear that the independent bar appreciates their contributions.
We were aware that LexisNexis NZ Ltd was committed to the rule of law and had become involved globally in several projects that demonstrated that commitment. In the UK, the company already sponsored an Access to Justice Award. They were the ideal partner to co-sponsor this Award.
The Award recognises a New Zealander (or qualifying New Zealand resident) who has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of access to justice (i.e., to improving fair and equal access to justice for individuals and/or communities). This may be through advocacy, leadership and/or influence.
This year, all the candidates had demonstrated a strong commitment to access to justice and/or pro bono activities. The judges were highly impressed by the number of nominees and the depth and breadth of their work to benefit access to justice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Annette Sykes’ career is a leading example of this work. The judges noted that Annette has fought for the rights of the poor, marginalised and disempowered for (literally) decades. In particular, she has been a powerful and important voice for iwi, hapu and whanau who have suffered the injustices of colonisation. Her commitment to social justice through advocacy in the criminal and civil courts and the Waitangi Tribunal is exceptional, as is Annette’s contribution to the development of junior lawyers, especially Māori lawyers, who help with her efforts to provide access to justice to those who most need it in our society.
Annette has been well ahead of others in arguing for the rightful place of Te Reo Māori in the Courts, and tikanga Māori in the law of this country. She is highly respected for her forensic skills as an advocate. She shows the way for others to emulate her ability as a lawyer and the focus to which she aims her skills at social justice.
The Award judges described Annette as a living legend as a social lawyer and in their opinion, her contribution to access to justice, deserves recognition.
We were very honoured that Annette and Te Ringahuia Hata joined us at the 2024 Award Dinner at our Conference in Queenstown. Natalie Coates gave a mihi, and Frances Joychild KC presented the Award to Annette, who then led the audience in a waiata: Pōkarekare Ana.
The NZBA would also like to thank our co-sponsor, LexisNexis. From the very first discussion about establishing the Award, LexisNexis was keen to be involved and has continued to support this mahi at all times.
Finally, thank you to all of the applicants. It is heartening to see the work that goes towards enabling those who cannot afford representation to access legal help in some form. It may be a cliché but it is nonethe-less true; you are all winners.
If you have any comments or questions about the Award, please feel free to contact us. Our contact details are on our website.
