Peter Penlington

Peter George Spenser Penlington (13 December 1932 – 31 January 2025) was a New Zealand lawyer and judge. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1978, and served as High Court judge from 1990 until 2000.

Early life and education Penlington was born in Christchurch on 13 December 1932. His parents were Spenser Penlington and Marjorie Ethel Penlington . His great-grandfather, William Penlington, was mayor of Akaroa in the 1880s. He received his education at St Albans Primary School, Christ's College (1946–1950), and the University of Canterbury. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1956 and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor the same year.

Penlington married Gillian Beatrix Ramsden in 1960. They had two sons and one daughter.

Honours and awards On 18 December 1978, Penlington was appointed Queen's Counsel. On his retirement as a permanent judge of the High Court on 10 December 2000, he was granted retention of the title The Honourable. In the 2003 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, in recognition of his service as a High Court judge.