The Government will expand the role of Community Magistrates to help speed up the justice system and reduce unnecessary delays in the District Court.

Construction begins today on the new Papakura District Court which will help speed up court processes and improve critical infrastructure, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Courts Minister Nicole McKee say.

Minister for Courts Nicole McKee is welcoming new data showing a significant drop in sentencing adjournments in the District Court, reflecting ongoing improvements in court efficiency.  

Minister for Courts Nicole McKee has welcomed the rollout of an updated protocol for judge-alone trials, effective from today (1 August), aimed at further enhancing court timeliness.  

Kiwis will soon be able to file and track their court cases online as the Government signs off the business case to finally go digital, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Courts Minister Nicole McKee say.

New Zealand’s justice sector presents investment opportunities spanning the next 30 years, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Courts Minister Nicole McKee outlined at the New Zealand Infrastructure Investment Summit today.

An operational process change has been introduced to enhance the visibility of dependent children of defendants in the criminal court, Minister for Courts Nicole McKee says.

The Government has agreed to fund new courthouses for both Whanganui and Papakura to help improve access to justice and court timeliness.

The Government is exploring how to modernise the law around people attending court remotely, to support access to justice and enhance court performance.

Court participants, particularly victims, will benefit from the passing of a bill today that will enable greater use of audio and audiovisual technology in court proceedings, Courts Minister Nicole McKee says.

Enabling more remote participation in our courts using Audio Visual (AV) technology is an important part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to improving court performance and access to justice.

The Government is announcing targeted legislative changes designed to boost remote participation in court proceedings, including the ability for victims to observe a criminal trial and sentencing remotely.