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 9]

Law Commission Work Programme

Thursday, 11 October 2007, 2:52 pm | Law Commission

“The Law Commission’s work programme for 2008 has been approved by Cabinet”, the President of the Law Commission, Sir Geoffrey Palmer said today. More >>

New appointment for the Law Commission

Monday, 1 October 2007, 4:27 pm | Law Commission

Minister Responsible for the Law Commission Mark Burton announced today that, on his recommendation, Val Sim has been appointed as a member of the Law Commission. More >>

Appointment of Val Sim to the Law Commission

Monday, 1 October 2007, 4:25 pm | Law Commission

“We are delighted to welcome Val Sim to the Law Commission”, Sir Geoffrey said today following the announcement of her appointment. More >>

Public registers – Law Commission Issues Paper

Thursday, 13 September 2007, 5:21 pm | Law Commission

The Law Commission today released an issues paper about the law relating to public registers. More >>

Fiji Human Rights Reports Flawed

Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 4:19 pm | Law Commission

Three Constitutional lawyers combined today to make a statement in response to a report written by the newly appointed Chair, and former Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, Dr Shaista Shameem. The report is on the legality of the military's ... More >>

Further Reform of Habeas Corpus Procedure

Friday, 17 August 2007, 11:04 am | Law Commission

“The Law Commission has been asked by the Government to look at practical difficulties arising with application for the writ of habeas corpus,” Sir Geoffrey Palmer said today. More >>

Report on Search and Surveillance Powers

Tuesday, 7 August 2007, 12:42 am | Law Commission

“The Law on Search and surveillance in New Zealand is a mess”, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, the President of the Law Commission said today. He was releasing the Law Commission’s report on this subject that was tabled in Parliament today. More >>

Law Commission given sharper teeth by Government

Wednesday, 25 July 2007, 4:30 pm | Law Commission

The Law Commission is delighted with the announcement by the Prime Minister of significant steps to improve Government processes when considering Law Commission reports and sees this as a most welcome 21st birthday present. Law Commission President, Sir ... More >>

Law Commission Recommends Sedition Law Abolition

Thursday, 5 April 2007, 4:16 pm | Law Commission

“These offences are too wide. They are unclear. They can be misused to suppress dissent,” says President, Sir Geoffrey Palmer. “Sedition has been used to muzzle vehement and unpopular political speech. It is high time the offences were removed ... More >>

Law Commission suggests harmonisation

Monday, 16 October 2006, 3:08 pm | Law Commission

Although custom and human rights are commonly seen as conflicting in the Pacific region, the two can often be harmonised, the Law Commission suggests in a study paper released today. More >>

Palmer: The Law Commission’s New Programme

Friday, 13 October 2006, 11:36 am | Law Commission

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you. I spoke to the Board of the Society on 17 February 2006 outlining the way I saw the future for the Law Commission. In that speech I said the first priority was to secure favourable decisions from the ... More >>

New Law Commission programme

Friday, 13 October 2006, 11:32 am | Law Commission

The President of the Law Commission, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, welcomed the new Law Commission programme today. At a speech to the Council of the New Zealand Law Society, Sir Geoffrey outlined new projects that had been agreed to by the Minister of Justice, the Honourable ... More >>

Palmer welcomes legislation implementing reports

Friday, 8 September 2006, 11:54 am | Law Commission

Sir Geoffrey Palmer, President of the Law Commission, welcomes the introduction of legislation to Parliament this week that implements previous Law Commission reports. “Over the years the Law Commission has done a great deal of rigorous work to update ... More >>

Sentencing Guidelines And Parole Reform

Tuesday, 15 August 2006, 5:00 pm | Law Commission

The Report of the Law Commission Remarks by Sir Geoffrey Palmer, President of the Commission, made at the release of the report More >>

Law Commission Recommends Truth in Sentencing

Tuesday, 15 August 2006, 2:24 pm | Law Commission

The Law Commission is recommending major changes to New Zealand’s sentencing and parole arrangements, aimed at achieving greater consistency and transparency and giving the public a greater say on sentence types and lengths. More >>

Report Recommends More Access to Court Records

Wednesday, 2 August 2006, 2:20 pm | Law Commission

The Law Commission has recommended a more open and clear regime for access to court records. “In places the current access rules resemble a dog’s breakfast,” says President, Sir Geoffrey Palmer. “They are often unclear, vary from one jurisdiction ... More >>