Parliament Passes Law to Speed Up Courts with New Judges and Updated Procedures

Minister Paul Goldsmith emphasised that modernising the court system is one of the Government’s core commitments.

Legislation designed to tackle lengthy court delays and improve access to justice has passed in Parliament, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Courts Minister Nicole McKee announced today. The new Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill introduces structural and procedural changes intended to streamline court operations, reduce adjournments, and ensure the most serious cases are heard more quickly.

A Focus on Fixing the Basics in Law and Order

Minister Paul Goldsmith emphasised that modernising the court system is one of the Government’s core commitments. He noted that court backlogs erode public confidence, inconvenience victims and defendants, and place additional strain on legal professionals.

Goldsmith stated that even minor procedural disruptions can cause cases to halt, leading to repeated adjournments and further delays. These delays, he said, ultimately deny timely justice to all parties involved. Ensuring that victims remain at the centre of the justice process is a central theme of the reforms.

More High Court Judges to Accelerate Serious Cases

Courts Minister Nicole McKee highlighted that one of the most significant changes is lifting the cap on High Court Judges from 55 to 60. The Government argues that increasing judicial capacity will allow the courts to hear serious criminal matters sooner, ensuring violent offenders are processed without unnecessary delay.

With more judges available to preside over complex and resource-intensive cases, the aim is to reduce bottlenecks, speed up trials, and help families and victims receive closure more quickly.

Key Amendments Introduced by the Bill

The legislation brings several targeted updates across multiple areas of the court system:

• Early Appointment of Judges New judges can now take office up to three months before a retiring judge leaves the bench. This prevents temporary shortages on the judiciary and helps maintain continuity.

• New Process to Address Abusive Civil Litigation Under the Senior Courts Act, an enhanced mechanism will allow courts—including the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court—to efficiently dispose of civil proceedings that amount to an abuse of process. It also strengthens tools to restrain vexatious litigants who repeatedly file meritless claims, conserving court time and resources.

• Improved Criminal Case Management Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 empower a District Court Judge to manage multiple charges against the same defendant across different locations at the pre-trial stage. This change is expected to reduce duplication and streamline workload management.

• Smarter Allocation of Appeals The Court of Appeal will now have clearer authority to remit first appeals from District Court criminal trials back to the High Court when appropriate, ensuring appeals are handled at the most suitable level.

• Updated Coroners Act to Close Inquiries More Efficiently Coroners will be able to close inquiries when new information emerges or circumstances change, helping to resolve cases more promptly. This flexibility does not apply to cases the law requires to be opened—such as deaths in custody or suspected self-inflicted deaths.

A System Built to Support Victims and Restore Efficiency

The ministers say the package of reforms is designed to modernise the system while keeping the needs of victims front and centre. By freeing judges from unnecessary administrative burdens and enabling better case management, the Government aims to deliver a justice system that is faster, more responsive, and more efficient.

These changes form part of the broader effort to “fix the basics” in law and order, ensuring that New Zealand’s courts are properly resourced and equipped to meet the demands of a growing caseload.