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Law Commission
Reviewing, reforming and developing New Zealand's laws
The Law Commission reviews, reforms and develops New Zealand law. We then make recommendations to Government to improve the law.
We also advise our Responsible Minister and government agencies on how to make the law more accessible and easier to understand.
The Commission has a commitment to consult the public on areas of law that we review. We promote discussion and consultation by publishing Issues Papers. We invite submissions from the public before we make recommendations to the Minister.
We publish these recommendations in a report to Parliament. The government then decides whether and how it will amend the law.
Law Commission - Latest News [Page 3]
Understanding Family Violence: Reforming the Criminal Law
Thursday, 12 May 2016, 10:50 am | Law Commission
The Law Commission is recommending a number of changes designed to better serve victims of family violence who kill their abusers. More >>
Law Commission Recommends a New Strangulation Offence
Tuesday, 8 March 2016, 10:49 am | Law Commission
Strangulation is a particularly dangerous and common form of family violence which blights New Zealand society. Strangulation restricts the victim’s ability to breathe and provokes a sense of terror in them. Studies have shown that if a victim of family ... More >>
Report: The Justice Response to Victims of Sexual Violence
Monday, 14 December 2015, 4:31 pm | Law Commission
In its Report The Justice Response to Victims of Sexual Violence: Criminal Trials and Alternative Processes (R136), the Law Commission completes a review of trial processes in sexual violence cases and makes recommendations for change. It considers ... More >>
Modernised Rules for Proceedings Against Crown
Monday, 14 December 2015, 4:10 pm | Law Commission
The Law Commission has today released a Report and draft Bill that modernises the rules for court cases involving the Crown. In The Crown in Court: A Review of the Crown Proceedings Act and National Security Information in Proceedings the Commission ... More >>
Use of National Security Information in Legal Proceedings
Monday, 14 December 2015, 4:06 pm | Law Commission
What should happen when information is relevant to legal proceedings, but disclosing it might prejudice national security? More >>
Issues Paper:Victims of family violence who commit homicide
Wednesday, 11 November 2015, 1:46 pm | Law Commission
The Law Commission is seeking feedback to improve the law relating to victims of family violence who kill their abusers in an Issues Paper published today. More >>
Two new references in the family violence area
Thursday, 16 July 2015, 11:35 am | Law Commission
The Minister of Justice has requested that the Law Commission commence two new references in the family violence area. • Non-fatal strangulation as a separate crime; and • Victims of family violence who commit homicide. More >>
Use of Security Sensitive Information in the Courts project
Monday, 18 May 2015, 10:36 am | Law Commission
The Law Commission is seeking feedback on how information that may prejudice New Zealand’s security should be dealt with in court proceedings. Should the current rules governing the protection or disclosure and use of security sensitive information ... More >>
Reviewing Use of Security Sensitive Information in Courts
Wednesday, 18 February 2015, 3:55 pm | Law Commission
The Law Commission is reviewing the laws that determine how security sensitive information should be dealt with in court proceedings. The review will look at how to protect information that may prejudice New Zealand’s security. More >>
Wider Search And Surveillance Powers Proposed
Tuesday, 2 December 2014, 11:09 am | Law Commission
Wider Search And Surveillance Powers Proposed in Reform of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Law More >>
Law Commission Proposes Significant Reforms
Tuesday, 2 December 2014, 11:06 am | Law Commission
The Law Commission today released its Issues Paper, Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. The Paper presents issues with the current law and contains draft proposals which could create significant reform. The Commission’s proposals ... More >>
New Streamlined Extradition Laws Proposed
Tuesday, 2 December 2014, 9:08 am | Law Commission
The Law Commission today released its Issues Paper, Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. The Paper contains information on current extradition law and draft proposals for consultation which could create significant reform in this area. ... More >>
Recommendations on the Design of Pecuniary Penalties
Friday, 31 October 2014, 10:39 am | Law Commission
The Law Commission has reviewed the use of pecuniary penalties as a regulatory tool. Pecuniary penalties are financial penalties that policymakers are increasingly opting to use in place of criminal sanctions in order to punish and deter misconduct in ... More >>
Joint And Several Liability Retainention Recommended
Tuesday, 24 June 2014, 2:43 pm | Law Commission
In their Report, Liability of Multiple Defendants (NZLC R132), which was tabled in the House of Representatives today, the Law Commission recommends that the existing rule of “joint and several liability” be retained, with some modifications. More >>
Should Jurors Who Search the Internet Should Be Punished?
Monday, 19 May 2014, 2:56 pm | Law Commission
The Law Commission is seeking public feedback as part of its review of contempt of court on whether there should be a new offence to deal with jurors who search the Internet during a trial or communicate jury room deliberations through social media. ... More >>
Law Commission Proposes an End to Judge-Made Contempt Law
Monday, 19 May 2014, 2:54 pm | Law Commission
The Law Commission is seeking feedback on a package of reforms which propose far-reaching changes to the law of contempt in New Zealand. More >>
Law Commission Paper on a New Crown Civil Proceedings Act
Wednesday, 16 April 2014, 4:52 pm | Law Commission
The Law Commission has released A New Crown Civil Proceedings Act for New Zealand , its Issues Paper on reforming the Crown Proceedings Act 1950. The Issues Paper proposes a new statute to replace the Crown Proceedings Act 1950. More >>
Revised Restrictions for Suicide Reporting Recommended
Tuesday, 1 April 2014, 10:28 am | Law Commission
The Law Commission is recommending revising the restrictions in the Coroners Act 2006 regarding reporting suicide. The new restrictions would be limited to public comment by any person of the method of the suicide death, the place of the suicide ... More >>
Review of Extradition And Mutual Assistance
Friday, 28 March 2014, 9:46 am | Law Commission
The law relating to New Zealand’s cooperation with other countries for the investigation and prosecution of crime is to be reviewed by the Law Commission. More >>
Law Commission Welcomes Harmful Digital Communications Bill
Tuesday, 5 November 2013, 3:07 pm | Law Commission
The Law Commission welcomes the introduction of the Harmful Digital Communications Bill in Parliament today by the Justice Minister Judith Collins. More >>
