A class action is a court proceeding in which a group with similar interests collectively sues one or more defendants. The court proceeding is brought by a representative plaintiff on behalf of the class. We do not currently have class actions in...
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: Awaiting Government Response
Start date
Last updated 27 June 2022
Project status: Closed
Start date 05 September 1986
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project examines and reviews the law relating to bodies incorporated under the Companies Act 1955, and reports on the form and content of a new Companies Act.
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 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...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 October 1989
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project consists of seminars that focus on and provoke discussion of the underlying objectives and overall coherence of the reforms of various laws affecting intellectual property.
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 May 1990
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reviews six contract statutes with the assistance of leading experts. The preparation and wider dissemination of these valuable accounts of the jurisprudence which has developed around the statutes is the major purpose of the review...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 March 1992
Last updated 11 May 2015
In consultation with officials of the Ministry of Justice and others, the Commission considers, in this project, whether New Zealand should accept the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and give effect to...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 May 1994
Last updated 11 May 2015
The purpose of this project is to protect members of the public from substantial risk of harm from individuals whose release into the community would pose that risk. The project considers: relevant provisions in the Mental Health (Compulsory...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 1996
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reviews the law of succession. This is the law which governs how a person's property is to be dealt with when they die.
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 September 1997
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project raises a question about a discrete aspect of the law of contract: whether or not to repeal the rules in the Contracts Enforcement Act 1956 that to be enforceable land contracts and guarantees must be in writing that is signed by the...