Judge Emma Smith of Christchurch, NZ; ethical dwarf

The Judicial Conduct Commission found Emma guilty of the following misconduct.

A complaint was lodged against Emma by a family concerned about her conduct during a hearing regarding the terms of a parenting order involving their daughter. The Commission concluded that

Emma’s conduct at the hearing was a “shrill and unprofessional outburst” and quite “disturbing.”

Commissioner Sir David Gascoigne’s report stated:

• “It is my opinion that what occurred during this part of the hearing was a shrill and unprofessional outburst on the judge’s part.”
• “This amounted to gross and gratuitous discourtesy to a professional witness who, on my assessment, maintained his own complete professionalism in the face of a distinctly challenging situation.”

As a consequence of her misconduct, the apologists for Judicial Misfits sitting on the Judiical Commission punished Emma by gifting her with a complimentary reprimand.

As we speak (ca. July 2014), Emma continues to sit as a Family Court Judge in Christchurch, New Zealand.