A High Court judge has taken the unusual step of warning journalists not to interview former Bridgecorp director and fraud-accused Rod Petricevic as he leaves court.
Mr Petricevic is one of five former directors facing fraud charges in relation to the collapse of the finance company in 2007, owing investors $450 million.
Court rules mean the only chance media have to question any accused is when they leave the building.
Journalists approached Mr Petricevic as he left the Auckland High Court on Tuesday after he was denied a stay of proceedings.
Mr Petricevic did not stop to answer questions, so journalists followed him down the street asking them.
Justice Venning saw pictures of the chase on television and says the accused should be able to come and go without a barrage or media questions.
The judge has issued a formal warning to journalists not to approach any of the Bridgecorp accused near the court, saying if they do, he will revoke permission for some in-court recording.
Mr Petricevic has been denied taxpayer-funded legal aid to defend the fraud charges because he has access to a family trust.
Justice Venning told Mr Petricevic on Tuesday he can reapply for legal aid if assets in the family trust decrease and understands that a fresh claim has already been lodged.
