Judicial Decisions Online

Judicial Decisions Online Introduction

Welcome to Judicial Decisions Online providing published judgments and decisions of New Zealand Courts and Tribunals.

Decisions are published on this site following delivery to the parties but not earlier than three days after the decisions are given.

Judicial decisions are currently available on this site for the following jurisdictions:

• Supreme Court - (All)
• Court of Appeal - (Decisions delivered after 1 January 2003)
• High Court - (Decisions delivered after August 2005)

The following decisions of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court will not be published:

• Decisions subject to statutory prohibitions on publication or orders prohibiting publication
• Decisions subject to time-limited suppression orders (until the limitation has expired)
• Memoranda
• Administrative minutes

Those decisions that are subject to a statutory prohibition on publication of a particular matter, e.g. name of complainant, or to a suppression order made by the court, will only be published if available in a form that complies with the prohibition or stated restriction.

The decision to authorise publication of a judicial decision rests with the authoring Judicial Officer. However they are guided by the principle:
Decisions should be available unless there is a legal restraint on publication: Non-publication to be limited to the scope of such restraint.

Changes in circumstances after a decision is placed on the internet may affect the accuracy of information. No assurance is given as to the accuracy or completeness of any representation, statement, information or advice contained after the publication on the internet. The authenticated decision on the court file takes precedence.

It is the responsibility of users of the information contained in the decisions to ensure compliance with conditions or other legal obligations governing access, release, storage and re-publication. If in doubt you should consult the court that issued the decision.

No copyright exists in respect of judgments or decisions of any New Zealand court or tribunal (S.27(g) Copyright Act 1994.)

Judicial decisions are presented in PDF format to preserve the integrity of the documents ensuring it retains the formatting, footnotes and layout of the original text.

(You will need Acrobat Reader to view the PDF files. It can be downloaded from the Adobe Website)

Decisions of particular public interest are published on the Judicial Decisions of Public Interest Website as soon as possible after they are given www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/from/decisions/judgments.html

New Zealand Court and Tribunal decisions are also currently available from a number of commercial sources for research purposes. (Other sources)