Pike River mine boss' trial in Wellington Former Pike River Coal boss Peter Whittall would be incapable of presenting his best defence against health and safety charges if his trial went ahead in Greymouth, a judge has ruled. The complexity and length of the trial, along with logistical barriers, mean Whittall's defence would be significantly compromised if his trial were heard in the South Island town. In a judgment handed down on Monday, Judge Jane Farish ruled the case, which is expected to take up to four months, will be heard in Wellington. Whittall is charged with 12 health and safety breaches in relation to the November 2010 Pike River explosion, which killed 29 men. It is alleged Whittall, who had been chief executive for six weeks prior to the explosion, participated or knew about safety breaches at the mine. In March, Whittall's defence team applied to have his trial moved from Greymouth to Wellington where he currently resides. Defence lawyer Stuart Grieve submitted that logistical issues arising from the length and complexity of the case meant his trial should be moved. He said getting witnesses to Greymouth, sometimes at short notice, would prove difficult and jeopardise his client's right to a fair trial. The trial, which is not expected to begin until January or February next year will involve more than 100 witnesses, 600,000 documents and run for between 12 to 16 weeks. One of the 600,000 documents is a collection of more than 20,000 emails. Judge Farish said the amount of documentation and the nature of the hearing are "quite overwhelming." Mr Grieve also submitted Whittall "assists greatly with the running of his family home" in Wellington and has been the target of animosity when he has previously visited Greymouth. But Judge Farish said the length and complexity of the trial were the only real considerations in whether it should be moved. "I do not place significant weight on his personal predicament as many defendants face difficulties in attending court where the are high levels of ill feeling toward them," she said. The prosecution argued that it was in the public interest the trial to be heard in the Greymouth community, and for the families of all 29 victims of the Pike River explosion to attend the proceedings. Judge Farish said the public interests would be met by streaming the trial live from Wellington.