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.
Project status
Areas of law
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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 15 October 2000
Last updated 11 May 2015
The purpose of this project is to assist the Ministry of Justice in the context of the work it is currently doing by way of review of the Law Practitioners Act 1982.
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 01 December 2000
Last updated 11 May 2015
The purpose of this project to devise a solution to an untidiness in judicial review procedure. The mischief is that there are decisions (exercises of the prerogative for example) which may be subjected to judicial review, but to which the...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 February 1999
Last updated 11 May 2015
The purpose of this project was to examine and review the Limitation Act, which lays down rules for determining the cut-off dates after which it is too late for an intending plaintiff to bring a civil claim. When the Government indicated it...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 March 1994
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project proposes a draft Property Law Act to replace the Property Law Act 1952. One of the most important objectives of the new Act is to set forth rules of property law accessibly and in a manner which, allowing for the subject matter, can...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 March 1992
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reviews the Property Law Act 1952. At the same time the Department of Justice is reviewing aspects of the Land Transfer Act 1952 because new techology is proposed for the system of registration. This project is concerned with certain...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 February 1988
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reviews the law relating to personal property securities in New Zealand. It recommends that a new Personal Property Securities Act be enacted in place of Part IV of the Companies Act 1955, and the whole of the Chattels Transfer Act...
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...