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Corrections Minister Anne Tolley and Courts Minister Chester Borrows have announced that safety and security is being enhanced with the expansion of audio-visual links (AVL) to a further 14 District Courts and nine prisons, allowing more prisoners to make court appearances while physically remaining inside the wire.

The $27.8 million expansion will take place over the next two years, with connected courts able to link with connected prisons anywhere in the country. 

An initiative to speed up the time it takes to get urgent Family Court applications in front of judges has been rolled out to all Family Courts across the country.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows says the initiative, called e-Duty, links judges around the country so that an e-Duty judge can immediately review and decide on urgent applications to the Family Court for things like orders to protect children or vulnerable people.

The Criminal Procedure Legislation Bill, passed unanimously by Parliament this evening, will ensure the upcoming criminal procedure reforms can be given their full effect when they come into force on 1 July, says Courts Minister Chester Borrows.

“The reforms contained in the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 represent the most significant reform of criminal procedure in 50 years. They will simplify and streamline court process and speed up the time it takes for cases resolved,” says Mr Borrows.

Changes to civil court and tribunal fees will ensure those who benefit from the courts contribute to their costs while protecting access to justice, Courts Minister Chester Borrows says.

The new regime, released today and coming into effect from 1 July 2013, is the result of a first principles review of civil court fees started in 2011.  The review was designed to update civil court and tribunal fees in a way that is principled, simple, reflects the private benefit received by court users, and protects access to justice.

Minister for Courts Chester Borrows this week launched a pilot scheme that will place some defendants at the centre of criminal court proceedings to better involve them in the process.

The two-year pilot will be held at the North Shore District Court and will explore how the defendant's level of understanding and engagement is affected by bringing them to centre of proceedings, rather than in a dock to the side of the courtroom.

Introduction

Let me begin by extending my thanks to Auckland District Law Society President Frank Godinet for having me here to address you this evening. Greetings to you, and also to your distinguished guests.

It’s an honour to be here today speaking to a group of New Zealanders that play such a critical role in our justice system.

I want to start by saying that as Minister for Courts and Associate Minister of Justice I am grateful for your work. And I’m proud of the justice system that your work supports.

A report released today on the effectiveness of the Rangatahi Court (te Kooti Rangatahi) shows positive early results for the programme, says Courts Minister Chester Borrows.

The report was released at Hoani Waititi Marae today by Mr Borrows, along with Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples, Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft and Youth Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today confirmed the changes to the District Court network announced in October.

The changes involve nine small courts being used only for hearings, rather than being open five days a week, and four small courts being disestablished.

Two recent trials of tablet computers in courts have yet again demonstrated the potential of new technology to improve court efficiency, says Courts Minister Chester Borrows.

The most recent trial – an Environment Court hearing to consider a proposed coal mine on the Denniston Plateau – is currently nearing completion.

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve, modernise and make our courts more efficient.  Using tablets, such as iPads, instead of volumes of paper is a perfect example of this in action,” says Mr Borrows.

A bill to modernise the family justice system and make it more accessible to those who need it most has passed its first reading in Parliament today.

Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows says the Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill is the first step towards addressing the serious concerns about the Court raised by court users including the public, judges, lawyers and counsellors.

Investment by the Government to improve court safety has resulted in significant improvements, Courts Minister Chester Borrows announced today.

Between 2009/10 and 2011/12, security incidents in courts have fallen by 35 per cent, with serious incidents down 63 per cent.

“Those who go to court should be able to feel safe, whatever their reason for being there.  That’s why we’re investing in additional court security where it’s needed, and I’m pleased to see that investment paying off,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows welcomed a successful trial today of video conferencing in the Family Court.

“Web-based video conferencing is exactly the kind of technology to bring our courts into the 21st century, offering great accessibility, efficiency and convenience.  Today’s mock hearing is an important step towards a more modern court system,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today announced changes to the District Court network, as part of efforts to modernise court operations.

“With crime falling to record lows and the number of people coming to court decreasing, we are taking the opportunity to improve how the 63 District Courts are administered and to modernise services so they are more in line with public expectations,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows announced today that people can now lodge claims and counterclaims with the Disputes Tribunal and pay their fee online.

“In a digital world, New Zealanders expect to access information and services via the internet, with all the convenience and speed that brings.  Moving Disputes Tribunal applications online will deliver that level of service for the over,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today released a consultation document on changes to civil fees in courts and tribunals administered by the Ministry of Justice.

“Civil court and tribunal fees need to strike a balance between the public and private benefit of court and tribunal services, to fairly allocate the cost between taxpayers and those using the services.  The proposals being consulted on are aimed at delivering a principled, consistent and fair approach to civil court fees,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows announced today that the amount of fines and reparation owed has reached its lowest level in eight years, falling more than 25 per cent in three years.

“This Government is committed to building a safer New Zealand, and to do that every part of our justice system has to deliver results.  Fines and reparations are an important tool to deal with offenders, but they must be seen as a credible and effective sanction,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today opened a temporary criminal court facility on Masterton’s Church Street, to accommodate criminal hearings until the main courthouse is reopened.

“The temporary closure of seven courthouses due to seismic risk has been challenging, both for Courts and for the local community. Throughout it we have been focused on restoring services as quickly as possible, particularly to the priority areas of Christchurch, Dunedin and Masterton,” says Mr Borrows.

In another technological innovation, Courts Minister Chester Borrows today announced changes to allow the filing of Disputes Tribunal applications online, to commence 1 October 2012.

“The Disputes Tribunal is New Zealand’s most accessible forum for dealing with lower level disputes, but until now people have had to fill in forms by hand and post them or deliver them to the nearest District Court. This is not customer friendly, cost-effective, or an efficient way of working,” says Mr Borrows.

Starting today, the next big changes from the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill will reinforce the collection of reparations, and will allow people to contest fines over the internet rather than at the court counter, says Courts Minister Chester Borrows.

“Reparation payments are an effective form of punishment but sometimes reparations orders are made after unreasonable promises to pay, are simply never paid, or take so long to pay the order is worthless. Today’s changes will address this,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today announced a targeted review of the coronial system and the Coroners Act 2006.

“In many respects the coronial system is working well.  However, after speaking with coroners and families, I am conscious that there may be room for further improvement”, says Mr Borrows. 

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today welcomed moves to open, adjourn and close the District Court in Te Reo Māori as well as English.

The initiative has been led by the District Court Heads of Bench, supported by the Ministry of Justice, and launched today to coincide with Māori Language Week.

“These changes are an important way of recognising New Zealand’s cultural heritage. Using a small amount of Te Reo in the administration of the Court will encourage people to understand and use one of our national languages,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows will travel to Australia from 12 to 14 July to visit court, tribunal and youth justice facilities in Sydney and Melbourne.

Mr Borrows will meet with senior justice sector officials and Victorian Attorney General Robert Clark to look at justice sector innovations that have the potential to be introduced to New Zealand as part of government efforts to modernise the court system.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today demonstrated new technology under development by the Ministry of Justice, called eBench, which will significantly reduce the court’s reliance on paper.

“Our courts are old fashioned in that everything is still paper based and requires manual handling to move it through the system. With 250 000 Police charges filed each year, this paperwork imposes a significant cost on the court system,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today announced the construction of a purpose-built facility for Youth Court hearings at Christchurch’s Ngā Hau e Whā marae.