Justice
Six of eight legal aid offices to shut
The Ministry of Justice's decision to close three quarters of its legal aid offices around the country is a disaster, a Christchurch barrister says. Audio
Fair trials undermined by legal aid system - ex-judge
A former judge has delivered a stinging critique of the criminal justice system, saying lawyers are not taking legal aid cases because it is not worth their time.
Indigenous people in prison - can the vicious cycle be broken?
Around 15 percent of New Zealand's population is Maori and yet they make up over 50 percent of prison inmates. In Canada indigenous people represent 25% of the inmates in state prisons, despite making… Audio
Samoa police commissioner in court
Samoa's suspended Police Commissioner has appeared in court but has not entered a plea.
Fiji trio charged with urging political violence
Three people have appeared at the Suva Magistrates Court, charged with urging political violence.
Vanuatu women blocked from Justice
Every day Merilyn Tahi meets Vanuatu women who have been beaten by their partner or need financial help to take legal action for child support. Audio
UN women research focuses on the Pacific
UN Women is examining the application of law in the Pacific and how it can be improved to help women access justice. Audio
Vanuatu women failed by the justice system
Access to the justice system is one of the main barriers facing Vanuatu women who have experienced violence. Audio
Undercover cops risk false confessions
The New Zealand Police are increasingly using elaborate stings to trick suspects into confessions and one lawyer is worried they could be pressuring people into false confessions. Using the so-called… Audio
African Youth Speak Out
A report on encounters between African youth and police in Auckland sought to highlight bias in the justice system. But negative backlash from the public in social media after its release has shocked… Video, Audio, Gallery
A celebrity sex scoop - and a legal ethical quandary
When a court injunction prevented English and Welsh media from publishing a celebrity sex story, it didn't stop media in some other countries naming names. New Zealand outlets were left wondering… Audio
'Roast Busters' case drives calls for sexual violence court
A decision looms on whether New Zealand will get its first sexual violence court.
Offender inadvertently unmasked
A convicted sex offender turned to the media this week after he ended up in the news for his involvement with a charity. But things didn’t turn out as he hoped. Audio
Law: Community Justice Panels
Canterbury's Community Justice Panels are keeping people out of the court system while preventing low level crime from escalating. Manager of Community Law Canterbury Paul O'Neill talks about how he… Audio
No jury for sexual violence court - professor
A proposed specialist sexual violence court with dedicated judges has support, but one professor is calling to abolish juries from such cases. Audio
What do journalists and cops have in common?
Reporters often come into conflict with the police in the course of chasing a good story. But both sides are dedicated to uncovering the truth on behalf of the public they serve and they also have to… Audio
Inmate fall
Corrections Minister Sam Lotu-liga has told private prison operator SERCO there will be serious consequences if allegations of violence and intimidation between prisoners at Mt Eden remand prison are… Audio
Families of murder victims feel short-changed
The families of murder victims say a new part-time chief victims advisor to the Government won't go far enough in protecting their rights. Audio
Snooping on Jurors
Jury Selection Services is a new company offering to trawl the social media profiles of jurors, and carry out surveillance on their homes. The company says it wants to help eliminate biased jurors but… Audio
Suspended Nauru MP out of custody, on strict bail
A former Nauru justice minister who was arrested this week during an anti government protest is now out on bail under strict conditions including a nightly residential curfew. Audio