7
systematic presentation. In January 2008 we sought submissions on an
Issues paper Tribunals in New Zealand
a unified tribunal structure to provide a more accessible tribunal system,
based on coherent and consistent law values. Both these projects will
publish final papers before the end of this calendar year.
Finally, I want to recognise the work of the Sentencing Establishment
Unit, an independent unit within the Commission, which is supported
and guided by Commissioner Dr Warren Young. Enactment of
the Criminal Justice Reform Bill at the beginning of the 2007/08
year provided for a Sentencing Council to be established and during the
year the Unit completed preparation of over 60 inaugural guidelines,
together with accompanying material, for presentation to the Council
if it is appointed.
During the year Helen Aikman QC completed her term as Commissioner.
Helen has made a valuable contribution to the work of the Commission
over many years. Mostly notably in her time as a Commissioner she
made a significant contribution to the Commission reports regarding
human rights and customary law in the Pacific, the establishment of
a new Maori legal entity that we called Waka Umanga, and our review
of the law relating to public inquiries.
George Tanner QC was appointed a Law Commissioner in September
2007. Before this George was the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
and Compiler of Statutes in the Parliamentary Counsel Office and
held these positions for 11 years. Val Sim was appointed a full time
commissioner from October 2007. Valfs career has involved a mix
of litigation, policy development and law reform. Val joined the Law
Reform Division of the Department of Justice in 1992 after 15 years in
private practice. She was appointed Chief Legal Counsel at the Ministry
of Justice in 1998 andin 2004 was appointed Crown Counsel and team
leader on the Human Rights team at the Crown Law Office.
Once again I want to pay tribute to the skills, hard work and commitment
of all staff and Commissioners, which has resulted in this year of
high performance.
