Justice’s light shines dimly in old court

It wasn't clear which hat Michael Cullen was wearing yesterday as he toured the designated home of the new Supreme Court - his Attorney-General's hat or Finance Minister's hat.

Given the dilapidated state of the old High Court dwelling in Wellington, he should certainly have been wearing a hard hat when he and Courts Minister Rick Barker took the tour in the semi-dark with officials bearing torches.

"We'll never build another building like this," Mr Barker said in the middle of former courtroom No 1.

"I hope not," said Dr Cullen, sounding sympathetic to the judges who are understood to be in no hurry to leave their present offices in the Victoria Law School building across the road, or their courtroom in the basement of the nearby High Court.

Mr Barker had just finished explaining that pigeons "crapping" had blocked some of the gutters, which led to rain pouring down the walls.

All the wooden floors would need to be taken up and concrete flooring laid according to earthquake standards, Mr Barker said.

The building must undergo major changes as well as restoration if it is to accommodate sittings of the Supreme Court. The bench was designed for one judge - not five.

And the courtroom is dominated by a large dock, suitable for criminal trials but out of place for appeals.

Papers released by former Attorney-General Margaret Wilson showed the judges had objected to the lack of collegiality, privacy and security, as laid out in the new plans.

Asked later if the building would definitely house the Supreme Court, Mr Barker said: "We're still working on the basis that it is going to be the Supreme Court building".

He said the design issues with the large number of interested parties - the Supreme Court judges, the Ministry of Justice, the Historic Places Trust, the Wellington City Council and the design team - meant the project was proceeding slower than if it were a purpose-built building.

He did not know what the cost would be until there was a clear set of plans.

"We want to make sure we've got the shape right."