Crown moves to bankrupt former cross-dressing lawyer

Radio New Zealand

Posted at 4:15pm on 01 Feb 2008

The latest round in a legal battle between Solicitor-General David Collins, QC, and Manawatu lawyer Rob Moodie has taken place in the High Court at Palmerston North.

Dr Collins has filed bankruptcy proceedings against Dr Moodie.

The notice of bankruptcy was served in October last year and relates to $32,000 in costs which the Court of Appeal awarded to the Crown after successful contempt proceedings against Dr Moodie.

The contempt proceedings related to Dr Moodie's publication of a secret report regarding construction of a bridge leading to the Berryman farm in the central North Island, which later collapsed, killing a beekeeper.

At this week's hearing, Dr Moodie argued that the Bankruptcy Notice was invalid and sought to have it set aside.

He says that the application filed by the Crown was against Miss Alice, the alter ego he adopted during some court proceedings last year.

Associate Judge David Gendall has reserved his decision.