10
fundamentally excluding attitudes and approaches are being challenged and sensible
alternatives are being offered to them.
Last year we were involved in a short project on covert filming40 as an immediate
response to a lacuna in our law with regard to those who use new technology to invade
the personal space of New Zealanders by filming up skirts or in changing rooms or
toilets.
At the other end of the spectrum we took almost 3 years to undertake a comprehensive
review of New Zealand Courts and Tribunals41. This was an opportunity to step outside
the immediate confines of the existing structures and see whether there were new and
better ways of doing things which would maintain the integrity of process but advance
accessibility to the law.
Our Law Commission, like many, has undertaken serious reviews of areas of both
substantive and procedural law. The review of evidence law42 was a mammoth
undertaking. A review of the Property Law Act43 similarly is typical of what goes on
around the world.
There are a myriad of areas which will be studied, assessed and which will be
candidates for reform. The wider and more diverse the input, the better will be the
outcome.
40
Law Commission Intimate Covert Filming NZLC SP15 (Wellington, 2004)
41
Law Commission Striking the Balance NZLC PP51 (Wellington, 2002); Seeking Solutions: Options
for Change to the New Zealand Court System: Have your Say: Part 2 NZLC PP52 (Wellington,
2002); Delivering Justice for All NZLC R85 (Wellington, 2004).
42
Law Commission Evidence NZLC R55 (Wellington, 1999)
43
Law Commission A New Property Law Act NZLC R29 (Wellington, 1994)