LAWYER DROPS NAME APPEAL

AUCKLAND - The lawyer for the American billionaire who imported cannabis
into New Zealand has dropped her appeal disputing the New Zealand Herald's
right to try to overturn her client's name suppression.

The High Court at Auckland indicated at the appeal hearing on Friday that
it could make Chief Justice Sian Elias available to hear the case under a
judicial review, instead of it dragging through the courts.

In the High Court at Auckland, lawyer Marie Dyhrberg told Justice Williams
she could not make any submissions on her appeal.

She wrote her reasons in a memorandum handed to Justice Williams.

They were not discussed in court.

The newspaper has applied for the right to publish the name of the American
who was granted name suppression when discharged without conviction this
month from the Otahuhu District Court, after admitting importing more than
100g of cannabis plant and resin.