23 Feb 2012

Commission releases proposals for court restructure

7:33 pm on 23 February 2012

The Law Commission has released a discussion paper containing a number of proposals for restructuring New Zealand's court system.

They include the establishment of a panel system in the High Court, allowing specialist judges for certain cases, including those relating to commercial law.

It also suggests that improvements be made to the judicial appointment process to ensure transparency.

Another area the paper looks at is ways of curtailing the activities of vexatious litigants who take repeated cases which can waste money.

Law Commission president Sir Grant Hammond says his organisation has suggested a 'traffic light' system, in which increasing restrictions are put upon such litigants' ability to bring proceedings.

Law Society president Jonathan Temm sees merit in some ideas for the restructuring, but would also like some consideration to be given to curbing the cost of litigation to ordinary members of the public.

Mr Temm says if those costs keep rising, it could lead to government departments, local bodies and large corporations being the only groups which can afford justice.

Public submissions on the discussion paper close on 27 April.