GROUP: EVIDENCE / CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Evidence

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

Conduct, character and credibility

Competence of witnesses, vulnerable witnesses

Identification evidence

Witness questioning rules

Tribunal evidence

Burden and standard of proof

Warnings

Waiver

Privilege

General research

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.

Privilege against self- incrimination

Prosecution of offences

Diversion

Jury trials

Right of silence and confessions

GROUP: COMMERCIAL LAW AND PROPERTY

Succession

Wills (format and substantive requirements, revocation, interpretation etc)

Non-wills (including testamentary claims)

Policy (including Mäori succession law)

Procedures

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.

GROUP: PUBLIC LAW

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 Mäori 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.

Legislation

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

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.

The Making, Acceptance and Implementation of Treaties

Crown

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

Mäori Custom Law

To produce (on behalf of the Mäori Committee of the Law Commission) guidelines on the principles of Mäori custom law.