Judge O'Driscoll, who has sat in the criminal and youth courts since his appointment to the bench in 2003, would now sit in the civil jurisdiction elsewhere, Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue said in a statement yesterday.
''This follows a complaint made against the judge to the Judicial Conduct Commissioner earlier this year.''
The complaint related to a personal relationship the judge had entered into with a Dunedin employee of the Ministry of Justice, she said.
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner considered the matter and referred the complaint back to Judge Doogue.
''Following independent advice, I ultimately decided that the judge should not sit in Dunedin.''
He had consented to now sit in the civil jurisdiction elsewhere, she said.
''The judge recognises his mistake and accepts my decision and remains committed to his duties as a judge.''
Judge Doogue did not specify where Judge O'Driscoll would be working.
Judge O'Driscoll, who is married and holds a PhD in law from the University of Otago, has warrants to sit in the general and youth courts and on jury trials.
Before his appointment, he was mostly a criminal lawyer for the firm O'Driscoll and Marks. He had worked in legal aid administration and was appointed a Crown Panel member in 1989. He was president of the Otago District Law Society from 1998 to 1999.
Prof Mark Henaghan, of the University of Otago's Faculty of Law, said Judge O'Driscoll was an excellent judge and known for being decisive and hard-working.
''It'll be a loss to the Dunedin community, as he is such a strong and effective judge.''
He was well regarded nationally and was a member of the judicial education committee.
Dunedin barrister Anne Stevens said those who appeared before Judge O'Driscoll were very sorry to see him go.
''I'm very sorry it has panned out this way and I'm sure my colleagues share that view.''
Otago District Law Society president Gerard De Courcy declined to comment.
Attempts to contact Judge O'Driscoll yesterday were unsuccessful.
