The work of the Courts Committee has been diverse this year. There has been a continuing liaison with the Ministry of Justice over many relevant issues. There have been a number of notices placed in Law News seeking to inform practitioners – for example on the issue of confidentiality at judicial settlement conferences. Other such notices have sought feedback
– such as the impact of the 2004 amendment to the High Court Discovery Rules. It is also to be noted that the Courts Committee has made various comment on such important matters as:

• Proposed District Court Rules
• Proposed new High Court Rules and
• Rules of Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers – both written and oral submissions on the discussion paper produced by NZLS.

The Committee also continues to be in close contact with the Auckland High Court and District Courts through the various stakeholder committee meetings. One matter that has been the focus of a number of Committee meetings was the actual physical condition of the Auckland District Court. One of the members of the Committee prepared a comprehensive report on the condition of the Court and copies of the report along with photos provided the basis by which the Auckland District Law Society Council could communicate directly with the Ministry of Justice- one of a number of issues relating to the Ministry’s “Greater Auckland Service Delivery Strategy”.

Thanks are extended to the members of the Courts Committee whose contribution of time and expertise has enabled the Committee to look at many issues, in what has been an extremely busy year.