Some more equal than others? NZ has more in common with Orwell than the Magna Carta
times are changing, and in few places are they changing as rapidly as in New Zealand. Something radically different is emerging in New Zealand’s legal system. [...]
Law
The jury is out
I still believe in trial by jury. But not in the efficiency of our justice system. [...]
The vexing issue of Damien Grant’s ‘career-ending’ convictions
Should a convicted fraudster be allowed to work as an insolvency practitioner? It ought to depend on how many years have passed since his conviction. [...]
Don’t mention the ‘r’ word
When legal anti-racism becomes seen as racist, something has gone horribly wrong. [...]
A right to sustainable litigation
To be clear, protecting the environment is a laudable goal. But while a certain degree of naïveté may be endearing in young people, it is embarrassing for a profession that likes to call itself “learned”. [...]
Constitutional experimentalism
On people, nature, law ... and elves. [...]
Our moral, digital future
There are ethical and legal issues regarding most future innovations. Some may be resolved by applying existing legal principles. Some will require us to rethink what civil and criminal liability means in a world in which machines make decisions on our behalf. [...]
Of mice, men and constitutions
To make my own position perfectly clear: I am fundamentally ambivalent about whether New Zealand would be better off with a written constitution. [...]
Plain stupid
In a world of complex markets with millions of buyers, sellers and products, brands provide orientation. This is what brands contribute to civilisation. [...]
Arbitration treaties smooth the path to more trade
Free trade needs an institutional framework that helps with the practicalities of trade across borders – particularly for when things go wrong. [...]