Justice Forum, Faculty of Law, University of Otago

University of Otago Legal Issues Centre - Te Pokapū Take Ture - Justice Forum

The Justice Forum aims to pool and thereby expand the collective knowledge, experience and expertise of New Zealand’s lawyers, judges, policy-makers, academics and interested lay people in order better to define and understand underlying causes of defects that may weaken the integrity and efficacy of the legal system, and to co-ordinate research and reform efforts so that they are targeted accurately on those defects. The Forum has similar goals to The Canadian Forum on Civil Justice and the UK Civil Justice Council and is open to all stakeholders interested in the civil justice system. For further information about the purpose of the Forum and setting its agenda see articles from NZ Lawyer Magazine Issue 154 and 157.

The Justice Forum was launched by the University of Otago Legal Issues Centre, in association with Michael Woodhouse MP, in the Grand Hall, Parliament House, Wellington on 15 April to an audience comprising members of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Courts, Office of the Childrens’ Commissioner, AMINZ, Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Law Society, the New Zealand Law Foundation and the legal professions. At the meeting Professor Mark Henaghan, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Otago, presented findings from a study, conducted with co-authors Rachel Laing and Dr Saskia Righarts, entitled a Preliminary Study on Civil Case Progression Times in New Zealand. The Attorney General, Chris Finlayson responded to the research calling for further research and greater simplification of court procedures, particularly in relation to discovery and pleadings. He also spoke in favour of judicial specialisation. A report of the Forum’s inaugural meeting may be found in NZ Lawyer Magazine Issue 158.

Civil Justice Forum 13 June 2012

The University of Otago Faculty of Law Legal Issues Centre and the Law Commission are cohosting a workshop to discuss the Law Commission’s review of the Judicature Act 1908. The aim of the Law Commission’s project is to consolidate the legislation relating to the New Zealand trial and appellate courts into one clear, modern and coherent statute. This workshop provides an opportunity to discuss matters raised in the Issues Paper the Commission published in February 2012, which can be found online at www.lawcom.govt.nz.

Civil Justice Forum Poster (PDF 95 KB)
Civil Justice Programme (PDF 285 KB)

Justice Forum Blog

In order to further the aims of the Justice Forum, and take discussion of the operation of the legal system to a much wider audience that includes law students and members of the public, a blogging facility is available to registered Forum members.

Please register online (below) if you wish to register your interest in the Justice Forum, engage in online discussion or have suggestions as to future topics.

The Justice Forum also has a facebook page. "Like" it to stay up to date with our blog, events, and other relevant matters.