Criminal legal aid

Recent cases noted:

• Commissioner of Police v Apanui [2024] NZCA 307 – Costs in criminal cases – Personal vs legal costs – MOJ not a party to costs application: [LA45.17(2)(b)]
• Packer v R [2024] NZCA 343 – Legal representation rights: [LA8.09(2)(c)], [LA8.09(2A)]
• R v Lloyd-Jones [2024] NZHC 2085 – Costs in criminal cases – Non-legally aided co-defendant: [LA45.17(2)(c)]
• Stone v R [2024] NZCA 498 – Post-Taito rehearing of criminal appeals decided ex parte via legal aid applications: [LA8.07(10A)]

Other commentary paragraphs updated:

• [LA45.17(2)(a)] Effect of “user pays” legal aid on criminal costs

Civil/family legal aid

Recent cases noted:

• A v D [2024] NZFC 6423 – Costs – Liability of aided person: [LA45.02] – Exceptional circumstances: [LA45.08(1A)]
• Alexander v Commissioner of Police [2024] NZCA 510 – Appeals to Court of Appeal – Extension of time – Difficulty finding a civil legal aid lawyer: [LA60.03]
• Anderson v Patterson [2024] NZHC 2474 – Costs – Both parties legally aided: [LA45.12]
• Farmer v Donald [2024] NZHC 2308 – Costs – Award in favour of aided person: [LA45.13(1)(c)] – Security for costs against aided person’s opponent: [LA45.15(1)(e)] – Effect of aided person status on other parties: [LA116.01]
• Kim v Oh [2024] NZHC 2374 – Costs – Liability of aided person – Bankruptcy and s 45(5) orders: [LA45.10(4)]
• LDJ v EZC [2024] NZEmpC 163 – Costs – Award in favour of aided person – Full legal aid costs (up to scale costs): [LA45.13(1)(b)], [LA45.13(4)(a)]
• Lei v Yin [2024] NZFC 8913 – Costs – Award in favour of aided person – Effect of legal aid repayment: [LA45.13(4)(a)]
• Payne v Williams [2024] NZHC 2945 – Costs – Award in favour of aided person – Effect of legal aid expenditure: [LA45.13(4)(a)]
• Reekie v Attorney-General [2024] NZHC 2566 – Legal aid disbursements – Communication assistance in civil cases: [LA106.04]
• Reid v New Zealand Law Society [2024] NZHC 2721 – Costs – Liability where legal aid declined but legal aid appeal pending: [LA45.14A(3)]
• Robinson v Beaman [2024] NZCA 387 – Security for costs – Court of Appeal: [LA45.15(5)]
• Sgargetta v ASB Bank Ltd [2024] NZCA 347 – Security for costs – Court of Appeal: [LA45.15(5)]
• V (Chile) v Legal Services Commissioner [2024] NZHC 2802 – Prospects of success – Fourth application for refugee or protected person status: [LA10.08(2A)]
• Whakatōhea Kotahitanga Waka (Edwards) v Ngāti Ira O Waiōweka [2024] NZSC 119 – Costs – Prospective costs orders (distinguished from legal aid): [LA45.14B]

Other commentary paragraphs updated:

• [LA4.37.01] Specified applications: overview
• [LA4.37.03] Specified applications re non-consorting orders (para (cc), in force 21 November 2024) [new]

Legal aid in general

Recent cases noted:

• Andrew v McGinty [2024] NZHC 1834 – Charges on proceeds of proceedings – Registration of statutory land charge – Effect on subsequent proceedings involving the land: [LA36.05]

Other commentary paragraphs updated:

• [LA3.08(1)] Legal aid expenditure and grant numbers
• [LA3.08(2)] Expenditure categorised by legal services appropriations
• [LA115.01] Service of notices or other communications

The Legal Services — What’s New page on Westlaw New Zealand provides links to the updated commentary and the cases.

In addition, the Current Awareness: Legal Aid and Related Services page provides links to recent news items and other developments in the legal aid/services area.