Judicature Reform Bill Sent To Select Committee

One of the largest bills of recent times has received unanimous support in Parliament this afternoon.

Justice Minister Judith Collins said the Judicature Modernisation Bill brought the judiciary and court management up to date with modern technology.

The bill of around 1200 pages would create six acts.

Amongst other things it would require all judgments to published on line and would set up processes to deal more effectively with vexatious litigants.

District Courts would also be treated as one entity (like the High Court now) instead of separate bodies.

David Parker said Labour would support the bill to select committee.

Parker said the bill was largely administrative.

The problem with the court system was the cost required for the public to access justice and the bill made this issue a bit better. In particular the bill would assist in reducing the length and complexity of judgments, but Parker said he was not convinced it would solve problems in access to the civil courts.

The bill was sent to the Justice and Electoral Committee on a voice vote.

MPs began the second reading debate on the Taxation (Annual Rates, Foreign Superannuation, and Remedial Matters) Bill.

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