Wahrlich v Bate - [1990] 3 NZLR 97

Administrative law — Judicial review — Criminal legal aid — District Court Judge refused application for legal aid by defendant who was a solo parent with four dependent children and who was charged with minor shoplifting — Judge took into account gravity of offence, finite nature of funds available and no likelihood of custodial sentence if convicted — Defendant sought review — Whether Judge's decision was unreasonable — Whether finite nature of funds available was a relevant consideration — Whether decision should be set aside — Offenders Legal Aid Act 1954, s 2.