A special sitting, chaired by Judge Michael Crosbie, alongside Judge Dominic Flatley and justice of the peace Russell Atkinson, marked the reopening for business after the building was closed for $20million earthquake strengthening to take place.
Judge Crosbie said he had not shed a tear to leave the temporary courthouse in High St behind.
"No longer will counsel and court users have to trudge up that hill to the cramped confines ... away from their favourite coffee places," he said.
"No longer will judges have to look out over The Warehouse car park."
Judge Crosbie recalled one day when he and his judicial colleagues witnessed groups hurling potted plants at each other in the area beside the court.
Now the view from the judges’ chambers will be the more serene environs of the Otago Daily Times offices.
Much of the pomp and ceremony of last month’s official opening — attended by the Prime Minister and Chief Justice — was based on the stunning High Court.
But Judge Crosbie said courtroom one, where yesterday’s sitting took place, was where the bulk of the court’s business took place.
"While not as beautiful, as ornate or as gothic, it’s this courtroom that’s the workhorse of the court’s criminal jurisdiction," he said.
The High Court would be used later this week for the first admission ceremony of the year and next week the first District Court jury trial will be held there.
In front of a courtroom packed with local lawyers, the judge also referenced the recent news that female lawyers now outnumbered their male colleagues.
Some female practitioners told the ODT though, that there was some way to go before women truly received the same treatment as men in the profession, and Judge Crosbie acknowledged the lack of balance.
"The bigger celebration will be when we see true gender equity on the benches and in the courtrooms," he said.
Those who fought with such vigour to save the courthouse were praised but Ministry of Justice court staff were singled out for special commendation.
Judge Crosbie called them the "heartbeat" of the operation and he said it was appropriate registrar of 43 years Peter Wall was at his desk for yesterday’s occasion.
"It’s just great to be back here," he said.
