Evidence

To replace the present complex and uncertain common law and statutory rules of evidence with an evidence code.

Privilege

Conduct, character and credibility

Competence of witnesses, vulnerable witnesses

Identification evidence

Witness questioning rules

Tribunal evidence

Miscellaneous research tasks

Policy

Criminal procedure

To review the whole of criminal procedure, to ensure that it provides for fair trials and effective and efficient investigation and prosecution of offences, taking account of New Zealand’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Treaty of Waitangi.

Police questioning (completed 1994)

Right of silence and confessions

Privilege against self-incrimination

Prosecution of offences

Diversion

Jury trials

Succession

To replace the Wills Act 1837, the Administration Act 1969, the Family Protection Act 1955 and the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 with a new Succession Act which will simplify the law, enable better effect to be given to the intentions of testators and take account of the diversity of New Zealand families.

Wills

Non-wills

Policy

Procedures

Property: Tenures*

To consider the implications of abolishing tenures and estates for the Land Transfer Act 1952.

Remedies for wrongs to goods

To review the fragmentary common law remedies and replace them with a modern statute.

Apportionment of civil liability

To review the law relating to liability where the acts or omissions of two or more persons cause loss or damage.

Unfair contracts*

To review aspects of the law of contract and ensure that it meets the needs of the commercial community and consumers.

Women’s Access to Justice

To examine the response of the legal system to the experiences of women in New Zealand, recognising the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi in the examination of Maori women’s experiences, taking account of the multicultural character of New Zealand society and New Zealand’s obligations under international law.

To report to the Minister of Justice by the end of 1997 concerning:

which will promote the just treatment of women by the legal system.

Priority will be placed on examining the impact of laws, legal procedures and the delivery of legal services upon:

At all stages of the project, there will be widespread consultation with women throughout New Zealand. The project will also draw upon, and complement, the work of other government agencies, the Judicial Working Group on Gender Equity and other Law Commission projects.

Official Information Act 1982

To review the operation in practice of aspects of the Act.

Community safety (completed 1994)

To consider relevant provisions in the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 and the Criminal Justice Act 1985 with the purpose of protecting members of the public from substantial risk of harm from individuals whose release into the community would pose that risk.

Legislation

To make the law of New Zealand as understandable and accessible as practicable.

Legislation Manual Parts 2 and 3

Legislation Manual Part 4

Habeas Corpus

To review and replace the Imperial Acts dealing with the remedy of Habeas Corpus.

International obligations

To promote the adoption of uniform or harmonised law and law consistent with New Zealand’s international obligations.

Guide to International Legal Materials

Crown

To review the legal status of the Crown, generally and in the context of the Crown Proceedings Act 1950.

* These projects have subsequently been removed from the programme.