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Justice Minister, Judith Collins, and Trade Minister, Tim Groser, have welcomed the European Commission’s formal declaration that New Zealand privacy law provides an adequate standard of data protection for the purposes of European Union (EU) law.

European Union countries can now send personal data to New Zealand for processing without the need for extra controls.

Ms Collins says New Zealand is one of only five countries outside Europe to receive this level of recognition and trust and this is a vote of confidence in New Zealand’s privacy laws.

Garry Denley of Auckland and John Gaukrodger of Hamilton have been reappointed and Nola Dangen of Auckland has been appointed as members of the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal, Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today.

The Tribunal was established under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 and hears charges, applications and appeals relating to the conduct of real estate agents.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today turned the first sod at the Manukau District Court construction site marking the start of the $40.6 million redevelopment project.

The redevelopment will include a new four story extension as well as extensive alterations and a complete refurbishment of the existing court building. When complete, the redevelopment will provide four new jury trial courtrooms with provision for further expansion.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has today released the reports by Canadian former judge Justice Ian Binnie, QC into David Bain’s application for compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment, and the Hon Dr Robert Fisher’s peer review of that report.

“Hon Dr Robert Fisher, QC has confirmed the report by former judge Justice Ian Binnie, QC is flawed and would not withstand scrutiny.

“Mr Bain has asked the Government, on behalf of New Zealanders, to consider his claim for compensation.

A Bill to ensure victims of crime can continue to seek a share of compensation received by prisoners passed its first reading in Parliament last night.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims (Continuation and Reform) Amendment Bill makes permanent the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Act 2005, which will expire in July next year.

Legislation overhauling New Zealand’s out dated alcohol laws has passed its final reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says new laws for the sale and supply of alcohol mark a major milestone.

“For the first time in more than two decades Parliament has acted to restrict, rather than relax, our drinking laws.

“This Government has delivered for New Zealand a wide range of measures to reduce alcohol-related harm in our families and communities.

Concerns with former Canadian judge, Justice Ian Binnie’s report into David Bain’s claim for compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment show peer review is needed, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

“After reviewing the report prepared by Justice Binnie in September, I was concerned with some aspects of it. With the consent of the Attorney-General, I received advice from the Solicitor-General on the report. Following this advice, I decided the report should be peer reviewed. I commissioned Hon Robert Fisher, QC to do this.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has joined with representatives of 48 countries in Brussels at the Ministerial launch of the Global Alliance against child sexual abuse online.

The Global Alliance aims to eliminate legal loopholes exploited by the distributors of child abuse material, strengthen efforts to grow the Interpol international database of child abuse material, and make it easier to initiate joint cross-border police investigations.

“Online sexual abuse of children knows no borders and child pornography circulates easily across countries.

The Christchurch Public Defence Service (PDS) office will be part of a high quality legal aid system, says Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows.

At the office’s official opening today, Mr Borrows said the PDS delivers quality defence services to some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders.

“The PDS is an important component of the high quality legal aid system in this country, is well-regarded by judges, prosecutors and court staff, and delivers value for money.”

Justice Minister Judith Collins leaves tomorrow for a week-long trip to Hong Kong and Brussels.

In Hong Kong, Minister Collins will meet her public sector counterparts at the Government Office, including the Secretary for Justice and the Chief Justice of the Final Court of Appeal.

“I look forward to discussing some of the justice issues we are currently facing with my colleagues, such as extradition, financial crime, privacy law reform and how we can mutually assist each other to address these,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has today introduced legislation to Parliament to modernise the family justice system and make it more accessible to those who need it most.

Ms Collins says the Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill is the first important step to creating a modern and accessible family justice system that is more focused on the needs of children and vulnerable people.

“It is important to concentrate on putting the needs of children first, and our reforms will support parents to resolve their simple parenting and relationship issues outside court.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today tabled in Parliament the Law Commission’s report Review of the Judicature Act 1908: Towards a New Courts Act.

The Judicature Act forms part of New Zealand’s constitution and is one of the oldest pieces of legislation on our statute books. It provides much of the legislative foundation for the higher courts of New Zealand, including the Court of Appeal.

“We are focussed on creating a modern, accessible and people-centred justice system.

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today – it’s great to here.

I’d like to start by acknowledging NetSafe NZ and the terrific work it does to promote confident, safe and responsible use of online technologies.

I’m sure you’ll agree that the way we use and interact online has changed markedly over the past 20, 10…even 5 years.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the passing of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Bill to amend the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006.

Ms Collins says the principal set of amendments to the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 restores the rank of Queen’s Counsel.

“I am very pleased the rank of Queen’s Counsel has been restored, recognising the special relationship with the Crown for New Zealand’s pre-eminent law practitioners.

The sharing of criminal history information between Queensland and New Zealand will be extended following a successful six month trial.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced that Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd has been appointed as the main construction contractor to carry out the $40.6 million redevelopment of the Manukau District Court.

“This is one of the largest single investments the District Court network has seen in some years and will provide a solid foundation for the future property needs of the Auckland region,” Ms Collins said.  

Justice Minister Judith Collins says comments made by Labour’s Charles Chauvel show he has little understanding or empathy for the reality of on-going intimidation and harassment experienced by vulnerable victims of serious and violent sexual offending.

“Mr Chauvel’s comments show a concerning disregard for victims of serious sexual and violent crimes. 

Justice Minister Judith Collins has marked the first hearings at the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AODT) Court pilot sitting in Auckland and Waitakere District Courts today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced a new type of restraining order to reduce the likelihood of victims of serious violent or sexual crimes having unwanted contact with their attackers. 

Ms Collins says the new order, to be created under the Harassment Act, will close a number of loopholes in existing legislation and will help victims feel safer.

“It’s unacceptable to have a situation where a victim of serious crime may have unwanted contact with their attacker.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today released the first results against the Better Public Services (BPS) targets for the justice sector which show almost 3,000 fewer violent crimes over the past year.

Better Public Services targets for the justice sector are to reduce the total recorded crime rate by 15 per cent, the recorded violent crime rate by 20 per cent, the youth crime rate by 5 per cent and the reoffending rate by 25 per cent by 2017.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has tabled the Electoral Commission’s final report on the MMP voting system in Parliament today.

The Commission conducted the independent review following last November’s referendum on the voting system, in which the majority of voters chose to keep MMP. The Commission released a list of possible changes in August, and received more than 1,000 submissions on the proposals.

In its final report the Electoral Commission has recommended several changes to the MMP system. The main recommendations are:

Auckland District Court, 65-69 Albert Street, Auckland Central

Good morning and welcome to the official launch of New Zealand's first Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court pilot.

It's great to be here to mark the start of this exciting new initiative.

The AODT Court will have its first sitting in the Waitakere and Auckland District Courts next week.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice for their commitment to getting this pilot off the ground.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today officially launched New Zealand's first Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AODT) Court in Auckland.

Ms Collins says the five-year pilot Court will sit for one day a week in both the Auckland and Waitakere District Courts and aims to help 100 offenders each year deal with the underlying addiction issues that have fuelled their offending.

Justice Minister Judith Collins departs today for a week-long visit to the United States of America where she will discuss a range of justice policy issues with her counterparts there.

Ms Collins’ visit will include meetings with the US Attorney General, Eric H. Holder, Jr., who heads the Department of Justice, and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, who visited New Zealand earlier this year.