A lawyer was allegedly punched in the head multiple times and stamped upon by her client at the Auckland District Court.
The lawyer, who did not wish to be named, told the Herald she met her client outside the courtroom on Wednesday.
“I came out of the courtroom as I had been waiting inside. We got chatting about communication, and I said ‘I sent you a letter’ and then she just laid into me,” she told the Herald.
“She started punching me, knocked me to the ground. Then she stomped on me.”
By then, others had seen what was happening and attempted to break it up.
“One of the forensic nurses came out and tried to drag her off. A police officer who was in a trial came and helped,” the lawyer said.
“She ran off, they caught her downstairs and then arrested her.”
The lawyer went to hospital later that day and found a tendon in her finger had been ripped.
She said her wellbeing has been up and down since the attack.
“I keep seeing the fist and the boot stomping on me.”
However, she said the reactions from her colleagues have been amazingly supportive.
“A number of the judges have called me. The Chief District Court Judge called me this morning. Another judge called me on Wednesday and another judge called me this morning.
“Colleagues I don’t know very well have sent me texts.”
A police spokesperson said police responded to reports of an assault at the Auckland District Court on September 4.
“Members of the public assisted in the immediate aftermath before police arrested the offender.
“A 25-year-old woman has been charged with assaults with intent to injure.”
New Zealand Bar Association president Maria Dew KC said it was unacceptable that lawyers doing their job were being attacked.
New Zealand: Auckland lawyer allegedly punched, stomped on by client at District Court
