Eichelbaum was born in Königsberg, Germany, and his family emigrated to Wellington, New Zealand, in 1938 to escape the persecution of Jews.
[2] Eichelbaum was educated at Hutt Valley High School, then attended Victoria University College, graduating LLB in 1954.
The highest judicial position Eichelbaum held was in 1989 when he was appointed the Chief Justice of New Zealand; he retired from the Bench in 1999.
A New Zealand Law Journal editorial has stated that Eichelbaum had either not read all the children's statements (reviewing only those allowed by the trial judge) or that, "with respect, his judgment is at fault.
"[10] On 7 October 2022 The Supreme Court of New Zealand quashed all of Peter Ellis' convictions for child sexual abuse.