Legislation aimed at reducing court delays and improving access to justice has passed in Parliament, with changes to court procedures and an increase in the number of High Court judges.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said improving court timeliness was a key priority, noting that delays place strain on victims, defendants and the wider legal profession. Even minor disruptions, he said, can lead to adjournments that slow the justice process and prolong uncertainty for those involved.
Goldsmith said the reforms were designed to ensure victims remain at the centre of the justice system and to help New Zealanders resolve legal matters more quickly and move on with their lives.
Courts Minister Nicole McKee said the legislation would deliver faster outcomes for victims, families and businesses by enabling the courts to deal with serious cases sooner. The law lifts the statutory cap on High Court judges from 55 to 60, allowing more capacity to hear complex and violent offending cases.
McKee said procedural changes would also allow judges to focus on critical decisions, particularly in serious criminal matters, helping to reduce backlogs across the court system.
The Ministers claim the Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill will:
Allow a new judge to take office up to three months before another judge retires.
Provide a new process under the Senior Courts Act to efficiently deal with civil cases that are an abuse of court process in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, and to restrain vexatious litigants from repeatedly bringing proceedings.
Amend the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 to enable a District Court Judge to make an order to manage multiple charges against a single defendant in one District Court locations at the pre-trial stage.
Amend the Criminal Procedure Act to enable a Court of Appeal Judge to remit first appeals relating to District Court criminal trials to the High Court where appropriate;
Amend the Coroners Act 2006 to enable coroners to close inquiries when new information becomes available, or circumstances change. This will not apply to inquiries that are required to be opened by law, such as where a death appears to be self-inflicted, or has occurred in care or custody.
