Thaddeus McCarthy

Who was Thaddeus McCarthy?

Sir Thaddeus Pearcey McCarthy, ONZ, KBE was a New Zealand jurist.

McCarthy was educated at St Bede's College, Christchurch, and then studied law at Victoria University College, New Zealand and graduated in 1928. He was admitted as a solicitor only in 1929, completed an LLM degree, and in 1931 was admitted as a barrister. He practised at the Wellington bar for 26 years until his appointment to the bench. Sir Thaddeus was in active service overseas during World War II.

McCarthy was appointed to the Supreme Court bench in 1957, and from 1958 onwards he served periodically as a temporary judge of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand. Sir Thaddeus was President of the Court of Appeal from 1973 to 1976, and was the presiding member of an unprecedented seven Royal Commissions. He was also a Commissioner of Security Appeals.

McCarthy had a reputation as a "plain English" judge with an outstanding ability to make complex matters understandable. He was awarded the Order of New Zealand on 6 February 1994.