Long-Term Insights Briefing: The Future of Courts and Justice Services

Overview

Nau mai, haere mai.

Long-term Insights Briefings are a government initiative requiring agencies to develop and share insights on the trends, risks and opportunities that affect, or may affect, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Under the Public Service Act 2020, government department chief executives are required to publish a Briefing at least once every three years. Long-Term Insights Briefings are not government policy. They are intended to help us think about the future and what will matter most for the long-term wellbeing of New Zealanders.

The Ministry of Justice and Crown Law have chosen to work together on our Briefings.  The proposed topic for our second LTIBs is The Future of Courts and Justice Services.

Our companion briefings will look at the key trends in the accessibility of courts and justice services and consider future scenarios if these trends continued.

The Ministry’s over-arching Briefing will look at the big changes that will shape the future of courts and justice services, like new technology, changes in society, and what people expect from the justice system.

Crown Law’s companion Briefing will be informed by experience as a participant in court processes but will focus on matters relating to the overall democratic and constitutional settings of our justice system.

The consultation process

There will be two phases where you can share your thoughts:

• In the first phase, we are asking for your feedback on the suggested topic for our Briefings. This consultation is opened from 12 December to 31 January 2025.
• In the second phase, happening in late June, you’ll have a chance to share your thoughts on the draft Briefings.

The final Briefings will be presented to Parliament in September 2025 and will be available to the public.

For more information, see: Long-Term Insights Briefing Consultation Document or contact the LTIB project team at: LTIB@justice.govt.nz