Environment Court Ministry Of Justice

The Environment Court, formerly called the Planning Tribunal, is constituted by the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996.

It is a court of record consisting of Environment Judges (who are also District Court Judges) and Environment Commissioners. The Court has registries in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and holds sittings throughout the country. Except for hearing enforcement proceedings that involve questions of law, sittings are usually constituted by one Environment Judge and two Environment Commissioners.

Parties before the Court are usually represented by lawyers, but anyone may appear in person, or be represented by any other agent. The Court is not bound by the rules of evidence and the proceedings are often less formal than the general courts. Most of the Court's work involves public interest questions.

Because of the gravity and complexity of the subject matter of the proceedings, oral decisions can seldom be given, and decisions are usually reserved - meaning that a written judgement is delivered at a later date.

For more detailed information please visit our website

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