A Supreme Court judge facing an investigation into his conduct in a case involving his business partner is to seek to block the inquiry.
Justice Bill Wilson is accused of failing to fully disclose his links with a lawyer who appeared before him in a case, to whom he owed $250,000.
Acting Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of a judicial conduct panel to investigate the complaints.
However, Justice Wilson's lawyer, Colin Carruthers, has confirmed to Radio New Zealand that he will apply to the High Court to quash the decision.
It's understood that hearing could take place within a month, with a High Court judge from Christchurch being brought in to hear the case.
It's the first time in New Zealand that a judicial conduct panel - which has the same powers as a Commission of Inquiry - has been set up to consider whether a judge should be sacked.
The case the complaints stem from is to be reheard later this year.
