Articles tagged with Courts
New Zealand Passes Legislation to Speed Up Courts and Add High Court Judges
3 days ago | 63 viewsParliament has passed legislation aimed at improving court timeliness by updating procedures and increasing the number of High Court Judges from 55 to 60 to expedite serious cases. The Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill introduces measures to streamline case management, prevent abuse of court processes, and enhance judicial efficiency across various courts. These changes prioritize faster justice for victims and families, ensuring the justice system operates more effectively and responsively.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Nicole McKee High Court Judges Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill Senior Courts Act Criminal Procedure Act 2011 Court of Appeal Coroners Act 2006 New Zealand Justice systemWellington Disputes Tribunal Adopts Electronic Case Files for Faster Justice
2 weeks ago | 98 viewsThe Wellington District Court's Disputes Tribunal has transitioned to electronic case files to provide faster, more flexible justice, allowing referees and staff to securely access and manage cases remotely. Following successful implementations in Christchurch and upcoming plans for Auckland, this digital shift aims to reduce delays and improve the system nationwide. The move supports small businesses and consumers by enabling quicker dispute resolutions, helping them recover losses and maintain operations efficiently.
Tags: Wellington District Court Disputes Tribunal electronic case files Courts Minister Nicole McKee Christchurch District Court Auckland Metro Hub small businesses consumer disputes remote hearings faster justiceDefending Democracy: The Role of Courts in Upholding the People's Voice
1 month ago | 267 viewsThe speech delivered in the Oxford Union debate argues that courts are undermining democracy due to judicial overreach and challenges to popular will. It emphasizes the importance of democratic principles, separation of powers, and judicial independence in upholding the people's voice in governance. The speaker highlights concerns about judicial activism and the need for prudential leadership to ensure that laws are made by elected representatives, emphasizing the role of parliament as the voice of the people and the importance of defending democracy against current threats.
Tags: Democracy Courts Judicial Overreach Separation of Powers Leadership Judicial Independence New Zealand Parliament Aristotle Winston Churchill2025 Court User Survey: Minister Nicole McKee Applauds Positive Feedback & System Improvements
1 month ago | 256 viewsCourts Minister Nicole McKee praises the 2025 Court User Survey results, with 82% satisfaction, the highest since 2019, attributing it to staff efforts. Recent court improvements include reducing case backlogs, improving case age, and enhancing efficiency across various court jurisdictions. The focus is on enhancing safety, with high percentages feeling safe in courthouses, and upcoming plans include digital systems and expanded magistrate roles for faster justice delivery.
Tags: Courts Minister Nicole McKee Court User Survey Justice System Government District Court Disputes Tribunal Coroners Court Safety VictimsCourts Minister Nicole McKee Celebrates 20% Drop in District Court Backlog, Delivering Faster Justice for Victims
2 months ago | 266 viewsCourts Minister Nicole McKee is pleased with the 20% decrease in the backlog of criminal cases in the District Court since April 2023, equivalent to around 1,700 cases, under the government's efforts to prioritize timely justice for victims. The improvement is attributed to a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies and the judiciary, with initiatives like the District Court Timely Justice Programme enhancing court system efficiency and performance. The focus on reducing delays in court processes aligns with the government's commitment to providing faster access to justice and making a tangible impact on the criminal justice system.
Tags: Courts Minister Nicole McKee backlog criminal cases District Court victims justice sector judiciary Timely Justice Programme Chief District Court JudgeGovernment Updates Law for Court Technology Efficiency & Access
2 months ago | 263 viewsCourts Minister Nicole McKee is updating the law to encourage the use of audio and audio-visual links (AVL) in courts for increased efficiency and improved access to justice. The new law will establish default appearance types for court events, promoting consistency in the use of remote participation. Additionally, the legislation will introduce new offences and penalties for unauthorized recordings of court proceedings to protect safety and fair trial rights.
Tags: Courts Minister Nicole McKee Government law court efficiency remote participation justice system Court Rules technology judiciaryGovernment's Focus on Faster Justice: Real Results in Civil Disputes, Family Wait Times
2 months ago | 285 viewsCourts Minister Nicole McKee highlights the Government's focus on faster justice delivery, emphasizing the importance of reducing delays in resolving civil disputes and family wait times for coroners' findings. Significant progress has been made in various jurisdictions, such as the District Court, where active civil cases decreased by 20% and completed cases increased by 8%. The Disputes Tribunal also saw over 900 more cases completed in a year, with a 21% decrease in aged cases, while the Coroners Court reduced active cases by 15% through the introduction of associate coroners and clinical advisors.
Tags: Courts Minister Nicole McKee justice system District Court civil cases Disputes Tribunal Coroners Court associate coroners clinical advisors Ministry of Justice