Legislation to tighten the rules regarding name suppression is raising concern among criminal lawyers.
Justice Minister Simon Power says he believes name suppression is granted too readily.
He hopes the proposed changes will also address the public perception that one standard exists for those who are considered well-known and another for those who are not.
But Wellington criminal barrister Michael Bott says the removal of the partial defence of provocation was rushed though and he fears the proposed changes will be treated the same way.
The Law Society has also expressed concern about the haste with which the proposed changes to name suppression are being handled.
But Society president Jonathan Temm agrees with increasing the penalties for breaching name suppression, saying decisions of the court must be respected.
