Historic courts legislation passes
The 1000+ page Judicature Modernisation legislation passed its third reading on 12 October 2016, and now NZ's 108-year-old courts legislation is in plain language and a more accessible format. It also includes a number of provisions to help courts function better.
Key features include:
- District Courts can hear disputes with a value of up to $350,000 (previously $200,000)
- It allows courts and tribunals to adopt modern practices like digital documents and electronic case files
- Combining our 58 district courts into one District Court of New Zealand – this will be Australasia’s largest court, hearing more than 200,000 matters every year
- Modern language
- Accessible structure that is easier to read, search and tag online.
The Judicature Modernisation Bill is likely to be one of the first bills Dame Patsy Reddy will sign into law as the new Governor-General.