Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier says protests by men's groups outside the homes of family court judges and lawyers are irresponsible and bear all the hallmarks of personal vendetta.
A coalition of men's groups concerned about child custody rights for fathers has been picketing houses in several cities. In Auckland on Monday they targeted the High Court.
Boshier says the action is clearly intended to bring unacceptable pressure on the Family Court. But he says judges won't be intimidated.
"Judges are not going to bow to this sort of pressure. What mostly I want the public to know is that protests or no protests, judges have an oath to perform without fear or favour and that's what judges will do. They will not bow to pressure of this sort," says Boshier.
He says it is worrying that the men are publicly distributing confidential case material that could identify parties involved in court cases.
Boshier says he is watching to see if the men go beyond the
normal boundaries of protest. He says if they go so far as to
influence a judge's decision in a case then that behaviour is
intimidatory and harassing and breaks the law.
