In consultation with the Ministry of Justice the Commission is currently working towards finalising Terms of Reference. Once agreed, the Terms of Reference will be published on this page.
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
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Project status: Open
Start date
Last updated 03 September 2019
The law of succession is the system of rules that determines who gets people’s property when they die. Succession law covers many matters, such as:
- the rights of a will maker to dispose of their property as they wish;
- who...
Project status: Closed
Start date 28 May 1986
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reports on the Imperial Laws Application Bill introduced in the Parliament of New Zealand on 21 October 1986.
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 28 May 1986
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project examines and reviews legislation and its interpretation with regard to the Statutory Publications Bill.
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 October 1986
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project examines the Limitation Act 1950 and makes recommendations on changes needed to it. The principal recommendation is that the 1950 Act is repealed and replaced with a new Limitation Defences Act of wide application and with three...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 January 1987
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project follows a series of projects tasked with advising on ways in which the law could be made as understandable and accessible as possible. This series includes the reports on Imperial Legislation 1987, the Statutory Publications Bill...
Project status: Closed
Start date 10 March 1987
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project examines and reviews that part of the Accident Compensation Act 1982 which recognises and is intended to promote the general principles of community responsibility, comprehensive entitlement, complete rehabilitation, real...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 December 1987
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reviews the structure of the judicial system of New Zealand, including the composition, jurisdiction and operation of the various courts, having regard among other matters to any changes in law and practice consequent upon the...
Project status: Closed
Start date 03 December 1987
Last updated 11 May 2015
In October 1997 the Law Commission started a new project on the subject of international trade. This is the first of four reports which will deal with international trade issues. It addresses, in a preliminary way, the subject of electronic...