New Zealand Law Society - Law reform submissions
One of the Law Society's most valued roles is to provide an informed and reasoned voice for lawyers and for the public on bills referred to select committee and discussion papers from government agencies and other bodies. Read below for our current and recent work.
Our Law Reform Committees are currently considering the following consultations:
The Government has introduced a package of Regulatory Systems Amendment Bills which seek to improve occupational regulation, and the effectiveness and efficiency of the courts and tribunals:
The Law Society will consider submitting on these bills with input from its law reform committees. To contribute comments, please email Nilu Ariyaratne. Read more.
The Ministry of Justice is seeking feedback on a discussion document about rewriting the Arms Act 1983 in order to ensure it provides for greater protection of public safety, reflects best practice, and is fit for purpose. The Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee and Public Law Committee will consider providing feedback. To contribute comments, please email Nilu Ariyaratne. Read more.
The Privacy Commissioner has announced his intention to issue a Biometrics Processing Privacy Code, and is calling for submissions on the draft Code and a consultation paper. The Law Society’s Human Rights and Privacy Committee will review the draft Code and make a submission. To contribute comments, please email Claire Browning. Read more
The Ministry of Justice is looking to prepare its second long-term insights briefing, which will look at the big changes that will shape the future of courts and justice services, like new technology, changes in society, and what people expect from the justice system. As part of this work, the Ministry is seeking feedback on the proposed topic for its briefing, as well as factors which should be considered when exploring the future of courts and justice services. The Law Society will consider making a submission with input from its law reform committees. To contribute comments, please email Nilu Ariyaratne.
Some of the Law Society’s recent submissions and correspondence on law reform issues are set out below. A full list of submissions and correspondence can be found under the archive section on this page.