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...
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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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...
Project status: Closed
Start date 04 June 1997
Last updated 11 May 2015
The purpose of this project is to make the law and practice governing the remedy for unlawful detention known as habeas corpus clearer and more accessible, and to reform its procedures so as to increase its effectiveness in protecting the liberty...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 1994
Last updated 11 May 2015
The report for this project is a response to the Commission’s reference on criminal procedure as well to the reference on the law of evidence. This particular project considers police questioning.
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 February 2005
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project explores the interaction between custom and human rights in the Pacific, including New Zealand, by articulating some of the issues arising from this interaction and how the two can inform each other.
Project status: Closed
Start date 14 September 2001
Last updated 11 May 2015
The Law Commission Report Search and Surveillance Powers was tabled in Parliament in August 2007. Subsequently, the Commission worked with agencies across government to develop legislation to implement the Report and the Search and Surveillance...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 2004
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reviewed the forfeiture provisions under Part XIV of the Customs and Excise Act 1996, having regard to any analogous border control practices in comparable jurisdictions.
Project status: Closed
Start date 27 June 2007
Last updated 11 May 2015
In 1997 the Law Commission recommended a simplified procedure for dealing with habeas corpus applications. Habeas Corpus: Procedure (NZLC R44, 1997) http://www.lawcom.govt.nz...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 February 2007
Last updated 11 May 2015
A review of maximum penalties contained in the five major criminal statutes (Crimes Act 1961, Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, Land Transport Act 1998, Arms Act 1983, and Summary Offences Act 1981) was commenced by the Commission. Changes were to be...