Judge's appointment was coup: Cullen

Justice Bill Wilson was given the nod that he would likely be speedily promoted to the Supreme Court.

Former Attorney-General Michael Cullen declined to give details but told the Weekend Herald, "I'm sure he would have had a reasonable expectation of that given his standing in the profession".

Dr Cullen told NBR that "getting Bill Wilson was thought of as a bit of a coup at the time. He was really appointed straight to the Supreme Court."

Justice Wilson was appointed to the Court of Appeal and then promoted 10 months later to the top appellate court by Dr Cullen.

Dr Cullen also said he had not been aware of the judge's business relationship with Queen's Counsel Alan Galbraith when he made the appointment "but the fact of a business relationship itself would not have been a barrier to appointment".

Justice Wilson's failure to promptly reveal he was substantially in debt to Mr Galbraith at a time when he was one of three Court of Appeal judges who found in favour of Mr Galbraith's clients in a Court of Appeal case (Saxmere v the Wool Board) resulted in the Supreme Court taking the unique step of recalling an earlier judgment.

Justice Wilson's conduct regarding his disclosures is being investigated by the Judicial Conduct Commissioner, Sir David Gascoigne.

The Supreme Court had ruled there was no possible conflict of interest in their business association but changed its ruling after finding Justice Wilson had effectively owed Mr Galbraith $242,804 because of an imbalance in their shareholder accounts.

The controversy has put the spotlight on associations in the upper echelons of the Judiciary and legal fraternity.