45 Simplification of criminal procedure This project, being done jointly with the MOJ, is to review and reform criminal procedure. It has legislative and operational dimensions and builds on our 2005 report, Criminal Pre Trial Processes: Justice Through Efficiency (NZLC R89). The major work product willbe a be introduced in Parliament in the 2009/10 year. A series of 10 comprehensive discussion papers on aspects of criminal procedure have been the subject of consultation this year, and legislative drafting of aspects of the new Act has begun. The project has also required extensive work with two District Courts piloting proposed new processes in the summary jurisdiction. Review of the Crimes Act 1961 (Part 8) As the new Minister wished this project to be accorded high priority and a bill ready for introduction as soon as possible, with his agreement, we dispensed with the proposed issues paper in this project. Instead we have been working with PCO and the MOJ to develop a bill for introduction early in 2009/10. Work on this was well advanced by year end. The final work product from this project will be a bill and legislative commentary. Quality The acceptance and implementation of our law reform recommendations are underpinned by high quality standards and processes in the manner in which we research and present our proposals and advice. All publications completed by the end of the year complied with the Commission’s internal quality processes and met the quality standards specified in the Statement of Intent to the extent applicable. The Commission’s quality criteria as set out in our statement of service performance are built into the standards and processes provided for in the Commission’s project management guide. The project management guide, which was introduced in 2007/08, is not used as a rule book but rather as a guide to apply proven project management techniques to good effect. The President takes overall responsibility for the projects that form the bulk of the Commission’s work programme. In practice, the collection of projects that constitute our work programme each year is the result of an iterative process that is managed in accordance with the criteria and guidance set out in Cabinet Circular CO (09) 1. As many projects will span a number of financial years the work programme is dynamic, with projects finishing and others starting in each year. New projects to be added to the work programme are usually settled by the start of each financial year and set out in a Memorandum of Understanding