Richard Worth National Courts Spokesperson

19 October 2001

Robson's Court Fee rort - as predicted

At the end of the first week of Matt Robson's huge court fee increases, National Courts spokesman Richard Worth said that his worst fears had been realised.

"I warned in September that the Government would rush to put up fees after pushing their inadequate Court Fees Waiver Bill through the House. Ten days after the legislation was passed, court fees have been doubled or tripled in many cases," Mr Worth said.

"In just one week, the fees have led to several cases being dropped for reasons of cost, and the increases have come under sustained attack from the Law Society and many eminent lawyers.

On September 10, Mr Worth predicted 'These increases will do more to deny access to justice than any Bill that gives a court the power to waive fees for a select few.' "I am sorry to say that I have been proved right," Mr Worth said.

"I am particularly appalled by the manner in which this matter had been dealt with by the Courts Minister, Matt Robson.

"This is a revenue grab - pure and simple. What makes it worse, is that some New Zealanders are being denied access to justice because of the increased costs. Matt Robson treated Parliament and the legal profession in a cavalier fashion by rushing these increases through in the face of sustained and rational objections.

"Justice is paying the price for Matt Robson's transparent revenue grab," Mr Worth said

Ends

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