About this bill
Justice Committee recommends changes to courts law on case allocation
The Standing Committee on Justice is reviewing the government's proposed amendments to the Courts Act, Criminal Procedure Act, and Dispute Act. The proposals aim to strengthen judicial independence by requiring that cases be allocated randomly among judges as a default rule, except where substantive grounds justify otherwise. The committee majority backs the government's proposal to allow recordings from district courts to be played during appeals when fair case handling permits, while a minority prefers this be optional rather than mandatory.