Office of the Chief Justice

20 July 2015

Report on in-court media coverage

Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias has received the final report on in-court media coverage, as well as draft guidelines and forms covering applications for in-court media coverage.

The Chief Justice will now consider the report and guidelines and invite Judges to communicate their views to her. The report will be discussed with Heads of Bench, and a decision made on which recommendations will be adopted.

It is now 20 years since the television in-court pilot was initiated in New Zealand. In August 2013 the Chief Justice commissioned a panel of three Judges, Justice Raynor Asher (Chair), Justice Ronald Young and Judge Russell Collins, to review guidelines and practices relating to cameras and recording in court.

The panel conducted a questionnaire for Judges, released a consultation paper and sought submissions. A draft paper was prepared and further submissions invited.

The report reviews the history of in-court media coverage in New Zealand, summarises relevant principles and concepts, considers in-court media coverage in other jurisdictions, and submissions made.

While not recommending fundamental change to the televising and recording of court proceedings, it contains anumber of detailed recommendations and proposes various changes to existing procedures.

The report, and draft guidelines and application forms can be viewed at https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/In-Court-Media-Review.

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