Law
Justice system bogged down in 'delays of two to three years' for trials
NZ's district courts are still feeling the lingering effects of Covid-19, as the justice system clogs with cases - More than 140,000 court appearances have been delayed since March 2020.
Win for abortion-right supporters as Ohio votes to reject proposal
In the US, a constitutional legislation win may be a crucial step towards enshrining abortion rights for Ohio residents.
State voters have rejected an attempt to raise the threshold to amend the… Audio
Holidays Act overhaul delayed until after the election
The government has missed yet another deadline for replacing the tangled Holidays Act.
Man who didn't die loses court battle to get life insurance paid out
A man who took his insurance company to court for not paying out his life insurance after being cured of his "terminal" illness has had his case dismissed.
Courts still working through Covid backlog
New Zealand's district courts are still feeling the lingering effects of Covid, as the justice system struggles under a growing load. More than 140,000 court appearances were delayed because of the… Audio
Legal aid shortfalls leave people forced to represent themselves in court
New Zealand Law Society's president says people being turned away from legal aid due to a lack of supply wasn't good enough: "Our system starts collapsing at that point."
Nelson land case an example for other indigenous peoples
In 1839 Maori landowners in the Nelson area sold 151-thousand acres to the New Zealand Company on the condition that ten percent of their land would be reserved for Maori in perpetuity. But that… Audio
Lawyer did not breach standards with vaccine comments, tribunal says
Anti-vax lawyer Sue Grey's comments about Covid-19 vaccines did not amount to misconduct because they were made as a private citizen, a tribunal has found.
Bill looks to address Dawn Raids-linked injustice
Among three more members' Bills plucked from the Biscuit Tin, there is a piece of legislation looking to fix a 40-year-old outcome of the anti-Pacific racism of the Dawn Raids era. Audio
Jury researcher pens gripping courtroom drama
Claire Baylis is a fiction writer and legal researcher based in Rotorua. After 12 years as a law lecturer at Victoria University, Claire Baylis joined a trans-Tasman Jury Research project, and was… Audio
Top cop on sightings of Marokopa man Tom Phillips missing with 3 kids
A Marokopa man who went bush with his three young children and has been evading police for eighteen months may have been on their door step this whole time. There's been three credible sightings of… Video, Audio
'Immense workload pressure' on lawyers concerns chief judges
Top judges have been meeting around the country with lawyers about counsel feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the "immense workload pressure".
Reform of retirement villages on the horizon
There's some hope on the horizon for the country's elderly, with reform of retirement villages ahead.
The sector is regulated by a 20-year-old Act, and many say it is unfair to residents and their… Audio
UN report reiterates concerns about harm in justice system
The way Aotearoa deals with crime is exacerbating harms to both victims and offenders, who are disproportionately Māori.
The latest report from the United Nations' Committee against Torture… Audio
New rule requires warning on all packaged alcohol
A new rule will require all packaged alcohol being sold to have warnings on the label about the harm it can cause to unborn babies.
The food safety agency says the move is supported by advice from… Audio
What does 'infanticide' mean in NZ law?
Since homicide trials often have a high profile, public understanding of precise legal terms is important, writes law professor Kris Gledhill.
Kiwi, 77, caught with 2kg of heroin at Australian airport
Australian Border Force officers examined the man's luggage and allegedly found white powder in the lining of his suitcase.
Court told Dickason was severely mentally unwell when she killed 3 kids
A court has been told there is no question Lauren Dickason was severely mentally unwell on the night she killed her three children and she did it out of love. Mrs Dickason is on trial in Christchurch… Video, Audio
Police do not believe missing Christchurch real estate agent is alive
Police do not believe missing Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao is alive. It's a week since the 44-year-old was last seen while door-knocking potential clients in the suburb of Wigram. Today… Video, Audio
Criminal lawyer defends sentencing of gunman
A criminal lawyer is defending the sentencing of the man who killed two people at a construction site last week.
The gunman, Matu Reid, had been on a five-month home detention sentence for domestic… Audio
