A man was left with a facial gash needing 35 stitches after trying to stop a hammer-wielding jewellery thief at Auckland's biggest mall.

The father of one, who worked at Sylvia Park, saw 23-year-old Ora Neilson leave the Michael Hill store after smashing open a cabinet and grabbing nearly $40,000 of necklaces in May.

A 22-year-old man accused of bashing a man with a hammer during a robbery attempt at an Auckland jewellers has been remanded in custody.

Ora Neilson, of Mount Wellington, appeared in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday by video link.

He has been charged with aggravated wounding and shoplifting at Sylvia Park mall on May 26.

The issue of retention of women in senior roles in the law is a hot topic. A qualitative research project has been undertaken by the AWLA and a strong stance has been taken by Chris Moore, president of the New Zealand Law Soceity, declaring the progression of women in the law to be the Society’s theme for 2014.