5
METHOD FOR COMPILING THE REPORT
3.
When the evaluator was the Minister of Justice, he had a close connection with
the establishment of the Law Commission and the passage of the Law
Commission Act 1985. It is his views and conceptions of what the Law
Commission should be that are set out in the Law Commission Act.
4.
This evaluator was not the appropriate person to compile a Report saying the
Law Commission should be abolished. Fortunately, none of those interviewed
thought that course should be followed. But the Report does assert that there are
improvements that can be made and should be made.
5.
In the short time available for the evaluation, the method has primarily involved
library research and interviewing. The incumbent Law Commissioners were
extraordinarily generous with their time and also produced many written
communications in answer to queries that the evaluator raised.
6.
The evaluator made contact with, or interviewed, or received written material
from every former and existing Law Commissioner. Needless to say, the
evaluator found their observations to be thoughtful and useful. He owes a great
debt to them. They have enriched this Report.
7.
Government officials in the Ministry of Justice, Te Puni Kokiri, The Treasury,
the Ministry for Economic Development and Parliamentary Counsel Office
have also been unusually generous with the time allowed for discussions and in
the provision of information. George Tanner, Chief Parliamentary Counsel,
gave extensive written material upon which the Report relies. The Clerk of the
House of Representatives also greatly assisted.
8.
All the Government officials who have contributed deserve thanks. Former
Ministers and current Ministers also provided generously of their time.
9.
The New Zealand Law Society, which has always had close relationships with
the Law Commission, came to see the evaluator and provided a lot of help.