The High Court is generally a very serious place, but even judges need to have a laugh.

In the High Court at Auckland, Justice John Priestley diverted from the matters before him to ask Queen’s counsel John Billington about another case that had been in chambers that morning.

“I notice on the court list that earlier today you were representing a Toreador Securities Limited,” Justice Priestley said.

The company is a mortgage financier, its name being Spanish for ‘bullfighter’.

“I hope they don’t use spears and swords to remove mortgage payments from their clients?” the judge chuckled. “Interesting name for a finance company.”

Indeed.

Toreador Securities is owned by Errol Bailey and is a subsidiary of his Matador Trustee Services and Taurus Holdings.