13 Feb 2013

Judge steps down from Dominion Finance trial

3:02 pm on 13 February 2013

A judge determining whether three finance company bosses acted illegally before the collapse of their companies, has stepped down from the case, and ordered a new trial.

Former director of Dominion and North South Finances Robert Whale, former Dominion Finance chief executive Paul Cropp and one other man with name suppression have been on trial at the Auckland High Court since Monday.

All have denied charges of theft by a person in a special relationship.

Justice Paula Andrews stepped down from the trial, but her reasons why have not yet been revealed.

A new trial will begin at the High Court in Auckland on Monday.