The forensic analysis of DNA is a powerful tool in solving crime. However, the use of DNA in criminal investigations also raises important legal and ethical issues.
In New Zealand the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Act 1995 (‘the...
Our projects
Each project is an area of law or subject matter that the Law Commission has agreed to review. The Commission works on several projects at a time. Together, these projects make up the Commission's annual work programme.
Use the search filters below to find particular projects. For more information on how we work see how we conduct projects.
Project status
Areas of law
- (-) Remove Human Rights filter Human Rights
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- Public (47) Apply Public filter
- Courts and Dispute Resolution (40) Apply Courts and Dispute Resolution filter
- Criminal (37) Apply Criminal filter
- Civil (33) Apply Civil filter
- Other (30) Apply Other filter
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- Social (21) Apply Social filter
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- Property/Trusts (15) Apply Property/Trusts filter
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- Customary and Treaty Settlements Law (10) Apply Customary and Treaty Settlements Law filter
- International Law (6) Apply International Law filter
Project status: Reviewing submissions
Start date 27 July 2016
Last updated 12 September 2019
Project status: Awaiting Government Response
Start date 28 June 2016
Last updated 15 October 2018
The Law Commission and the Ministry of Justice conducted a review of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012, as is required by section 357 of that Act. The review was referred to us by the then Minister of Justice on 28 June 2016 and we jointly...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 November 2013
Last updated 28 September 2016
This review covers the Extradition Act 1999 and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992. These Acts provide a framework for formal assistance between New Zealand and foreign governments in the investigation and prosecution of crime. They...
Project status: Awaiting Government Response
Start date 01 December 2014
Last updated 14 December 2015
This project reviews the laws that determine how security sensitive information should be dealt with in court proceedings. The review looks at how to protect information that may prejudice New Zealand’s security. It also considers whether the...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 2010
Last updated 29 May 2015
The Law Commission has worked closely with the Ministry of Economic Development in a project to rewrite the Credit (Repossession) Act 1997, which has been found to have many practical difficulties with it.
Project status: Closed
Start date 03 March 1998
Last updated 11 May 2015
This purpose of this project is to advise whether compensation should be paid to those who have been wrongly prosecuted or convicted of an offence, and if so, to recommend a systematic basis upon which compensation may be determined and paid.
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 1996
Last updated 11 May 2015
The topic of this project has two related issues, each of fundamental importance to New Zealanders. One is whether New Zealand women are treated properly by the legal system. That raises in turn a second issue – whether the New Zealand citizen...
Project status: Closed
Start date 12 October 2006
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project involves four stages, with publications at each stage.
Stage 1: Policy Overview was a high-level analysis to assess privacy values, changes in technology, international trends, and their implications for New Zealand law. It...
Project status: Closed
Start date 28 May 1986
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project examines and reviews: the language and structures of legislation; arrangements for the systematic monitoring and review of legislation; the law relating to the interpretation of legislation; and the provisions of the Acts...
Project status: Closed
Start date 04 May 1999
Last updated 11 May 2015
In 1989 the Law Commission was asked by the Minister of Justice to review procedure in criminal cases. The project is a continuing one. This particular part of the project considers issues surrounding juries in criminal trials. In 1995 we...