The law of succession is the system of rules that determines who gets people’s property when they die. Succession law covers many matters, such as:
- the rights of a will maker to dispose of their property as they wish;
- who...
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: Open
Start date
Last updated 03 September 2019
Project status: Closed
Start date 28 May 1986
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reports on the Imperial Laws Application Bill introduced in the Parliament of New Zealand on 21 October 1986.
Project status: Closed
Start date 28 May 1986
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project examines and reviews: the language and structures of legislation; arrangements for the systematic monitoring and review of legislation; the law relating to the interpretation of legislation; and the provisions of the Acts...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 January 1987
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project follows a series of projects tasked with advising on ways in which the law could be made as understandable and accessible as possible. This series includes the reports on Imperial Legislation 1987, the Statutory Publications Bill...
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 November 1989
Last updated 11 May 2015
This project reports on the law which should govern the action to be taken in a national emergency. The First Report on Emergencies: Use of the armed forces (NZLC R12 1990) was largely implemented by the Defence Act 1990. The Final Report...
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 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 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...