Christian Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses (Australasia) Limited v Royal Commission Inquiry into Historic Abuse in State Care and in the care of Faith-Based Institutions

[2024] NZHC 2554

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND AUCKLAND REGISTRY

I TE KŌTI MATUA O AOTEAROA TĀMAKI MAKAURAU ROHE

CIV-2024-404-1487

[2024] NZHC 2554

BETWEEN

CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION OF JEHOVAHS WITNESSES (AUSTRALASIA) LIMITED

Applicant

AND

ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO HISTORIC ABUSE IN STATE CARE AND IN THE CARE OF FAITH-BASED INSTITUTIONS

First Respondent

AND

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Second Respondent

Hearing:	On the Papers at Auckland
Judgment:	6 September 2024

JUDGMENT (NO.2) OF POWELL J

[Costs]

This judgment was delivered by me on 6 September 2024 at 3.30 pm.

Pursuant to R 11.5 of the High Court Rules.

…………………..

Registrar/Deputy Registrar

CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION OF JEHOVAHS WITNESSES (AUSTRALASIA) LIMITED v ROYAL

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO HISTORIC ABUSE IN STATE CARE AND IN THE CARE OF FAITH- BASED INSTITUTIONS [2024] NZHC 2554 [6 September 2024]

[1]    On 21 June 2024 I declined a request by the Christian Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses (Australasia) Limited (“CCJWA”) to order the production of the final case study and/or report of the Royal Commission Inquiry into Historic Abuse in State Care and in the care of Faith-Based Institutions prior to its public release.1 My judgment included a mechanism for determining costs if any issue as to costs arose.

[2]    Since the judgment, the Attorney-General has sought costs on a 2B basis in the sum of $2,629. Counsel for CCJWA have reviewed the costs sought and indicated their agreement. In the circumstances, I consider the costs sought are appropriate and make an order accordingly.

[3]The CCJWA is to pay costs in the sum of $2,629 to the Attorney-General.

Powell J

1 Christian Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses (Australasia) Ltd v Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historic Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-Based Institutions [2024] NZHC 1691.