Special sitting celebrates career

There was standing room only at a special sitting of the Environment Court in Queenstown yesterday when about 50 people, including judges, commissioners and lawyers, as well as law and court staff from throughout New Zealand, gathered to celebrate the career of Dunedin lawyer Neville Marquet.

Mr Marquet was the focus of a surprise celebration, facilitated by Queenstown lawyer Graeme Todd, after Mr Marquet had apparently hinted his retirement was imminent.

Mr Todd and Mr Marquet were in Queenstown for Project Hayes wind farm appeal hearing.

Judge Jon Jackson adjourned the hearing early to accommodate a request from Mr Todd, about a special sitting of the court at 4.30pm.

The gathering heard how Mr Marquet had practised in almost every division of the court throughout Otago and was known for being a pioneer of planning and resource management in a career spanning more than 50 years.