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...
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 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 The principal recommendation is that the 1950 Act is repealed and replaced with a new Limitation Defences Act of wide application and with three...
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 01 August 2000
Last updated 11 May 2015
In August 2000, we were asked, as part of the insolvency law review, to provide further advisory reports to the Ministry of Economic Development. The topics which we were asked to consider were:
(a) the role of the State in insolvency law...
Project status: Closed
Start date 17 April 2000
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project discusses the absence of adequate safeguards for the protection of donors of enduring powers of attorney under the provisions of Part IX of the Protection of Personal Property Rights Act 1988.
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 01 July 1999
Last updated 11 May 2015
The purpose of this project is to provide advice on whether existing classes of preferred creditors should continue to enjoy advantages over unsecured creditors when bankruptcy or liquidation intervened. The request for advice was made in the...