Briefs

Chief Justice intervenes

In a rare move, the chief justice has warned MPs their planned resource management law reforms will hit the judiciary’s workload and resources, potentially denting public confidence in the courts.

By convention, the judiciary makes submissions to select committees only on matters relevant to its independence, the administration of justice, the operation of the courts, and the rule of law. The lengthy and complex Natural and Built Environment Bill has attracted such a response from the head of the judiciary, who told policymakers their scant consultation with judges would have an impact on their judicial functions.

“[The Bill] has implications for access to the courts, the ability of the courts to perform the functions conferred on them, and the maintenance of public confidence in the courts,” Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann said in a written submission to Parliament’s environment select committee.

The Bill – one of three set to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 –dealt with issues that were “frequently litigated”, Chief Justice Winkelmann said. But the judiciary wasn’t aware of any analysis done by officials about whether the Environment Court would need more funding to handle an expected increase in workload. “The judiciary’s experience is that extensive legislative reform is usually followed by a period in which the meaning and effect of the new legislation is litigated through the courts.”

The environment select committee is due to report back by May 22. ■

Offices Available

Following some barristers retiring, we have three offices of varying sizes available for rent.

The Chambers share a refurbished floor (with separate areas) with Hussey & Co., a boutique forensic and general accounting firm. There are shared meeting rooms (a formal boardroom with video conferencing facilities and a less formal meeting room), and communal entrance and client waiting area.

Telephones, internet connection, printing and secretarial services also available and some furniture available.

Cost depends on office size and range from $150 – $300 per week plus gst. No long-term commitment required.

Photographs of the Chambers can be viewed at www.hco.co.nz/gallery.

Contact: Shane Hussey for further details, Shane@hco.co.nz

09 300 5481

Will Inquiries

Please refer to deeds clerk. Please check your records and advise ADLS if you hold a will or testamentary disposition for any of the following people. If you do not reply within three weeks it will be assumed you do not hold or have never held such a document LawNews: The no-hassle way to source missing wills for $80.50 (GST Included) reception@adls.org.nz ADLS, PO Box 58, Shortland

BARRY

Desmond Joseph William

• Late of Albany, Auckland

• Married

• IT consultant

• Aged 54 / Died 05’02’23

CHU-LEE San Mui

• Late of 30 Wiltshire Place, Somerville, Auckland

• Housewife

• Aged 81 / Died on or about 17’01’23

DANG

Duong Man

• Late of 75 Killarney Drive, Flat Bush, Auckland

• Restaurant owner

• Aged 67 / Died on or about 15’09’21

FENG

Yu Bao Mike

• Late of 15 Sunshine Lane, Flat Bush, Auckland

• Aged 34 / Died on or about 22’09’22

MEEGOLLA

Kasturi Achchige Sunanda

Wijesiri

• Late of 593 Glenfield Road, Totara Vale, Auckland

• Married

• Retired

• Aged 74 / Died 04’01’23

PARK

Younghak

• Late of 1203-803,276, Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

• Aged 75 / Died on or about 01’10’21

WENTZEL

Darcy Raymond

• Late of 506/223B Greenlane Road West, Epsom, Auckland

• Divorced and unmarried

• Financial Advisor

• Aged 48 / Died between 05’02’23 and 08’02’23

CRIMINAL

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SEMINAR