Projects

Each project is a discrete area of law or subject matter the Law Commission has agreed to review.

The Commission works on a number of projects at any point in time. Together they make up the Commission’s annual work programme as agreed with the Minister Responsible for the Law Commission by July each year. More information on projects >

Work Program for the Financial Year

Project

(R) - reference from the Minister

(S) - self referred

Publications

TOR - Terms of Reference.
PP - Preliminary Paper.
SP - Study Paper.
MP - Miscellaneous Paper.
R - Report.
PR - Press Releases.
IP - Issues Paper.
CP - Corporate Paper.

Additional Notes

Search and Surveillance Powers (Previously Entry, Search and Seizure) (R)

TOR

Status: Work in Progress

Maori Legal Entities (S)

TOR

Status: Work in Progress

Criminal Defences (Insanity and Infanticide) (R)

TOR

Status: Work in Progress

Public Inquiries (R)

TOR

Status: Work in Progress

Review Of Privacy (R)

TOR

Status: Work in Progress

Unified Tribunal Framework (R)

TOR

Status: Work in Progress

Presentation Of New Zealand Statute Law (R)

TOR

Status: Work in Progress

Further Reform of Habeas Corpus Procedure (R)

Status: Work in Progress

Sentencing Establishment Unit (R)

Status: Work in Progress

Admissibility of previous convictions (R)

TOR

Status: Work in Progress

Review Of Maximum Penalties (R)

Status: Work in Progress

Criminal Defences : Provocation (R)

Status: Work in Progress

Review of the Land Transfer Act 1952 (R)

TOR

Status: Work in Progress

Review of Civil List Act 1979 (R)

Status: New

Review of Parliamentary Counsel Legislation (R)

Status: New

Review of the law relating to private schools (R)

Status: New

Review of Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (R)

TOR

Status: Work in Progress

Involvement in Ministry of Health Review of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966 (R)

Status: New

Review of Part 8 of the Crimes Act 1961 (S)

Status: New

Review of Part 8 of the Crimes Act 1961 (S)

Status: New

Review of Part 8 of the Crimes Act 1961 (R)

Status: Work in Progress

Reducing the Level and Impact of Organised Crime in New Zealand (R)

Status: Work in Progress

Reforming Criminal Procedure before and during trial (R)

Status: Work in Progress

Review of Prerogative Writs (R)

Status: New

Review of War Pensions Act 1954 (R)

Status: New

Public Safety and Security (R)

TOR

Status: New

Statement_of_Intent_2008-2009.pdf (PDF, 1,114 KB) | view as html

Information on Law Commission Projects

A project can arise either from referral from the Minister, a request from another state agency or from self-referral by the Commission.

Terms of reference provide framework for each project. Following the necessary research, discussion and consultation, the Commission normally produces one of four publications.

Publication Types:

Preliminary Paper - This is a discussion paper identifying issues on which interested parties are invited to make submissions;
Study Paper - This is usually an advisory report in response to a request from a state agency;
Miscellaneous Paper - This contains the findings of research done on specific topics; and
Report - This sets out the results of the Commission’s research and consultation and usually makes a number of recommendations for law reform to Government.
Issues Paper - This is a discussion paper that identifies issues, asks questions and/or presents proposals upon which interested parties are invited to make submissions.
Corporate Paper - These are the Commission's planning and accountability documents such as the Statement of Intent and Annual Report.

A Preliminary Paper is usually followed by a report.

All Reports published by the Commission are tabled in Parliament. Within six months after tabling, the Government provides its response to the recommendations in the report.