This report addresses access to case law in New Zealand, why it is important, and how it can be improved, particularly for use in digital services. In particular, it calls for written decisions of courts and tribunals in New Zealand to be prepared and published as digital data. 

Case law is important because it is one of two primary sources for learning about and understanding what the law of New Zealand is and what it requires people to do. It is also the method by which judges and tribunals explain the reasons justifying their decisions about how the law applies in an individual case. In this way, it also contributes to judges’ accountability in the judicial system and to the public.

Recommendations:

The report recommends that the government, the judiciary, the legal profession, and the wider community improve the way judgments are published. It suggests a pilot program in a lower-level tribunal once the current system of judicial publishing has been adequately mapped.