Current and former Gloriavale members asked to contact court-appointed lawyers

Wednesday, 28 October 2020

Former Gloriavale members John Ready, James Harrison and Virginia Courage outside the High Court at Greymouth, where they filed their civil action.

The High Court has appointed lawyers to hear the stories of former and current Gloriavale members after an ex-resident launched civil proceedings against the community's leaders.

About 180 people have left the West Coast Christian community in recent years, with some alleging ill-treatment, lack of freedom, work-related issues, neglect, forced separation of families, and sexual and physical abuse.

Former resident John Ready has launched civil court proceedings against Gloriavale’s leaders.

The court has sent a letter to anyone who has lived or who still lives at Gloriavale.

* Gloriavale leaver launches High Court civil proceedings against leaders

* Charities Services declines calls to reinvestigate Gloriavale

Ex Gloriavale members and supporters protest outside the Christchurch Town Hall, before the Press Leaders debate in October.

It says Ready has asked the High Court to examine the role, conduct and actions of the Overseeing Shepherd, the Shepherds and others involved in the running of Gloriavale and its assets as trustees.

The Christian Church Community Trust administers the running of Gloriavale and its assets. Its trustees are Joshua Disciple, Samuel Valor, Enoch Upright and Fervent Stedfast.

The trust also has three independent trustees: Greymouth lawyer Colin Smith and Greymouth businessmen David McMillan and David Smith.

The letter, from Wynn Williams law firm in Christchurch, says the proceedings seek the appointment of new trustees.

It says members can go to the lawyers with any questions they have and for an independent explanation of what the High Court proceedings are about.

“You are entitled to speak, write or meet with these lawyers in order that your views on the High Court proceeding can be considered by the court in determining whether or not to replace the current trustees with an independent trustee.”

The letter also warns that anyone who stopped members from communicating with the lawyers in any way could be considered in contempt of court.

The Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust, in a letter to leavers, said Ready had asked the court to decide whether the trustees and shepherds were the right people to continue running Gloriavale.

Members of the Gloriavale Christian Community on the West Coast, filmed by Seven Sharp.

He is asking for the interim removal of management until the various issues are resolved in court.

“If successful, under interim trustees, we would expect that the day-to-day life of people inside Gloriavale will improve,” the trust’s message says.

“The new trustees will be bound to ensure that the community meets the requirements of the laws of New Zealand – relating to employment, health and safety, education, human rights.”

The leavers’ trust expected an interim hearing would be held to appoint the Public Trust as trustees until a final resolution was made by the court, which could take up to three years.

“The desire is for meaningful, permanent change at Gloriavale, which allows people the ability to be safe and have freedom of choice.”