A Law Commission report has been criticised for failing to address serious problems with media coverage before trials take place.
In its report, Suppressing Names and Evidence, it said name suppression should be harder for people to get, especially at District Court level.
The commission's President, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, says under the current rules, the decisions made by individual judges are inconsistent and it's too easy for high-profile people to get suppression orders.
However, Auckland-based lawyer Marie Dyhrberg says winning suppression orders is already tough. She says the report should have looked at limiting pre-trial media coverage, which she says is out of control.
Marie Dyhrberg says media commentary before an arrest is made remains unchecked and can seriously prejudice a trial.
