Proud High Court moment for Tauranga woman

Wearing traditional gown and a white wig, Jacqueline Adlam stood before a High Court judge and spoke her first words as a sworn High Court lawyer.

Ms Adlam was one of six Tauranga lawyers who were admitted to the bar as barristers and solicitors of the High Court in Tauranga yesterday in front of Justice Edwin Wylie.

The mother of three used to be an industrial chemist at a pulp and paper mill but the 47-year-old went back to university and recently graduated with a law degree with First Class Honours.

"This is the end of one journey but the beginning of another journey," she said, after the ceremony.

"I've made a few sacrifices along the way but it's all been for the better at the end of the day."

Ms Adlam was sworn in by her moving counsel, Tauranga barrister Kaye Davies.

Mrs Davies said she was honoured to be part of Mrs Adlam's achievements and was proud of her for achieving her law degree later in life.

Tauranga's Kelly Cotter, Carly Christie, Naomi Williams, Jeremy Sparrow and Mount Maunganui's Liane Valentine were also admitted in yesterday's ceremony, along with Judith Wilson from Whakatane.

Ahead of the ceremony, Mr Sparrow, 24, said he was "pretty excited" to be admitted to the High Court bar and looked forward to work at Tauranga law firm Holland Beckett Lawyers.

High Court of New Zealand deputy registrar, Stephen Hewlett, said it was the first ceremony of the year in Tauranga and the biggest admission to date.