The Criminal Procedure (Simplification) project was a joint project between the Ministry of Justice and the Law Commission. It had two objectives: to reduce unnecessary court delays through legislative and operational change, and to create a...
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.
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Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 2007
Last updated 11 May 2015
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 August 2006
Last updated 11 May 2015
This independent unit within the Commission drafted a comprehensive package of sentencing and parole guidelines for consideration by the Sentencing Council when it was established in 2008.
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 October 2000
Last updated 11 May 2015
The purpose of this project is to simplify the statutory provisions governing the laying of criminal charges and infringement offences and their progress through the court system to the point of determination, including appeals, so as to remove...
Project status: Closed
Start date 13 January 1998
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project urgently reviews the law on dishonestly procuring valuable benefits. The Court of Appeal decision in R v Wilkinson (13 October 1998, CA 122/98) demonstrates that certain dishonest actions which constitute the offence of theft or...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 2007
Last updated 11 May 2015
Part 8 of the Crimes Act 1961 deals with crimes against the person. The project reviewed the adequacy and coherence of the current offence provisions, considered whether there were any gaps in them and revised maximum penalty levels. The project...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 2007
Last updated 11 May 2015
The Commission participated in work led by the Ministry of Justice and Police that related to legislative and other responses to organised crime.
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...
Project status: Closed
Start date 23 May 2001
Last updated 11 May 2015
In NZLC R73 : Some Criminal Defences with Particular Reference to Battered Defendants we stated that we would issue a supplementary report on the onus and standard of proof as to disputed facts on sentence; in particular, as these might relate to...
Project status: Closed
Start date 09 December 1999
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project examines the rule of law that no person acquitted of a crime can be prosecuted again for the same offence
Project status: Closed
Start date 06 November 1995
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project addresses the Commission's concern about the relative lack of awareness of international law in New Zealand, and in particular of New Zealand’s international rights and obligations. It aims to contribute towards remedying this...