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
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Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 2007
Last updated 11 May 2015
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 April 2007
Last updated 11 May 2015
For this project, the Commission reviews existing rules of evidence around admissibility of previous convictions, similar offending and bad character. In particular, the extent to which the court is made aware of prior convictions of an accused,...
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 12 October 2006
Last updated 11 May 2015
In 2001 the Law Commission issued a study paper titled Simplification of Criminal Procedure Legislation: An Advisory Report to the Ministry of Justice (NZLC SP7). The government responded later that year, and agreed that the Law Commission’s...
Project status: Closed
Start date 12 October 2006
Last updated 20 September 2021
This project involves four stages, with publications at each stage.
Stage 1: Policy Overview was a high-level analysis to assess privacy values, changes in technology, international trends, and their implications for New Zealand law. It...
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 December 2005
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project considered whether there is a need to establish a Sentencing Council in New Zealand, and whether parole should be reformed to ensure a closer relationship between the prison sentence imposed and time served.
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 October 2004
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reviewed the criminal defence of insanity (section 23 of the Crimes Act 1961), and Ministerial release arrangements for patients detained on the grounds of insanity or unfitness to stand trial.A final report was published and tabled...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 October 2004
Last updated 11 May 2015
Further work on the partial defence of provocation following NZLC R73 Some Criminal Defences with Particular Reference to Battered Defendants has been undertaken. A final report was issued in September 2007 and submitted to the Government.
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 June 2004
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reviewed the principles and scope of infringements as a contribution to a major project by the Ministry of Justice, and proposed a framework for reform.