Status: Completed
Project overview
This project reviewed the law of succession. This is the law which governs how a person's property is to be dealt with when they die.
Status: Completed
Terms of reference
The purpose of the project is to review, reform and develop
- the Wills Act 1837 (UK)
- the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949
- the Family Protection Act 1955
- the Matrimonial Property Act 1963, and
- the Administration Act 1969.
The ultimate aim is to have a new Succession Act drafted in plain language which will
- provide for all these succession laws in one statute
- simplify the law.
- enable better effect to be given to the intentions of will-makers, and
- take account of the diversity of New Zealand families.
Status: Completed
Preliminary Paper
Succession Law: Testamentary Claims (NZLC PP24, 1996)
The Commission's Preliminary Paper, Succession Law: Testamentary Claims (NZLC PP24, 1996).
Status: Completed
Miscellaneous Papers
What Should Happen to your Property when you Die? (NZLC MP1, 1996)
The Commission's Miscellaneous Paper, What Should Happen to your Property when you Die? (NZLC MP1, 1996).
Succession Law Wills Reforms (NZLC MP2, 1996)
The Commission's Miscellaneous Paper, Succession Law Wills Reforms (NZLC MP2, 1996).
The Taking into Account of Te Ao Māori in Relation to Reform of the Law of Succession (NZLC MP6, 1996)
The Commission's Miscellaneous Paper, The Taking into Account of Te Ao Māori in Relation to Reform of the Law of Succession (NZLC MP6, 1996)
Status: Completed
Reports
Succession Law: Homicidal Heirs (NZLC R38, 1997)
Succession Law: A Succession (Adjustment) Act (NZLC R39, 1997)
Succession Law: A Succession (Wills) Act (NZLC R41, 1997)
Status: Completed
Government response
Some of the Commission’s recommendations are addressed in the Succession (Homicide) Act 2007, the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001, and the Wills Act 2007.
There was no requirement for the Government to present a formal response to Commission reports before April 2009.
See Official Government response process | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).