Latest news with #Courts
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Construction Begins On Papakura District Court
Hon Paul Goldsmith Minister of Justice Minister for Courts Construction begins today on the new Papakura District Court which will help speed up court processes and improve critical infrastructure, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Courts Minister Nicole McKee say. 'Improving the quality of New Zealand's infrastructure is vital to creating jobs, growing our economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living,' Mr Goldsmith says. 'Better and more efficient court processes means people can spend less time and money on legal battles and instead move on with their lives. Improving court timeliness and access to justice is a major part of plan to restore law and order, which we know is working. 'Courts are an important part of our social fabric, where the law is enforced, civil disputes are resolved, and the rights of individuals upheld,' Mr Goldsmith says. A modern approach is being taken when it comes to the construction of the new court. 'Half the new building is being constructed off-site. These components will be delivered as prefabricated modules and then installed onsite,' Mrs McKee says. 'This is a way of building safely and efficiently, while reducing time, cost, and material resources, as we respond to demographic changes in the fast-growing South Auckland area. 'The building will include three courtrooms, two hearing rooms and, I am pleased to note, a suite for vulnerable witnesses. Victims are our priority, and this helps return them to the heart of the justice system,' Mrs McKee says. The new courthouse is expected to open to the public in early 2027. It has an estimated construction budget of $34m.
Scoop
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Judge-Alone Trial Protocol Aims To Speed Up Justice
Minister for Courts Minister for Courts Nicole McKee has welcomed the rollout of an updated protocol for judge-alone trials, effective from today (1 August), aimed at further enhancing court timeliness. 'Improving court performance remains a key priority for this Government. We appreciate the judiciary and justice sector's collaboration in refining this important protocol,' Mrs McKee says. First introduced in 2021 and piloted in select courts in 2022, the Judge-Alone Trial (JAT) protocol has been revised with input from judges, lawyers, and justice agencies. From today, it will be implemented across all District Courts. The protocol strengthens case readiness by introducing a registrar-led teleconference between prosecution and defence three weeks before trial. It also allows courts to start earlier to review and prioritize scheduled cases, optimizing judicial time. 'Our goal is fair and timely justice for victims, defendants, witnesses, and whānau, helping communities heal and move on,' Mrs McKee says.
The Herald Scotland
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Palestine Action allowed to challenge ban in High Court
As a result of the ban, it's a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison to be a member of, or express support for, Palestine Action. A High Court bid to temporarily block the ban was thrown out and it came into effect on July 5. However, co-founded Huda Ammori is seeking to legally challenge the proscription on the grounds it is an 'unlawful interference' with freedom of expression and has been allowed to bring her case forward by the High Court. In a decision on Wednesday, judge Mr Justice Chamberlain said that two parts of the arguments on Ms Ammori's behalf were 'reasonably arguable'. Justice Chamberlain said: "The proscription order is likely to give rise to interference with rights guaranteed by common law and Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights … "If the legality of the proscription order can properly be raised by way of defence to criminal proceedings, that would open up the spectre of different and possibly conflicting decisions on that issue in Magistrates Courts across England and Wales or before different judges or juries in the Crown Court. "That would be a recipe for chaos. To avoid it there is a strong public interest in allowing the order to be determined authoritatively as soon as possible."
Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Italy to add 15,000 prison places to ease overcrowding
ROME - Italy's government has pledged to expand prison capacity by up 15,000 places and facilitate the transfer of inmates with addiction problems to treatment centres to tackle a long-standing overcrowding crisis. The plight of prisoners has attracted more attention in Italy following a record number of suicides last year and complaints about soaring summer temperatures in detention facilities that are not air-conditioned. As of July 15, the country had 62,986 inmates, and an effective capacity in prisons of 47,289, justice ministry data showed. This gives Italy an occupancy rate of around 133%, one of the worst in Europe. According to the World Prison Brief database, only Cyprus, and France fare worse. Last year the Italian parliament approved a law to improve jail conditions, but it had little practical effect. "We believe that a just state should adjust the capacity of prisons to the number of people that need to serve their sentences," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement late on Tuesday. Her government presented a 758-million-euro ($890 million) plan to expand prison capacity by almost 10,000 by 2027, and a separate initiative for which it gave no budget to create an additional 5,000 places within five years. It also adopted a draft law - which will need parliamentary approval - to allow a sizeable portion of inmates with alcohol or drug addictions to leave prison and serve their sentences in rehab centres. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'pore's domestic recycling rate drops to all time low of 11% Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Youth Courts will take a new approach to cases, focused on underlying issues and supporting needs Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 Asia Japan Prime Minister Ishiba to resign by August, Mainichi newspaper reports World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20% Asia New Pokemon theme park to open in Japan in early 2026 Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat "These are people who need treatment rather than criminals who need punishment," Justice Minister Carlo Nordio said, noting that inmates with addiction issues make up almost a third of the prison population. Nordio also referred to last week's announcement that up to around 10,000 inmates nearing the end of their sentencing could be eligible for house arrest or probation. His ministry has set up a taskforce to speed up the assessment of these cases. The early release of prisoners is set to be gradual, however, partly due to the political sensitivity of the move for a right-wing government such as Meloni's, known for its tough approach on law and order. REUTERS
Hypebeast
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Karl Hab Takes Us Down to the 'Tennis Courts'
Summary Karl Habhas unveiled his latest photobook: an aerial exposé of the aesthetics that lie inside the lines of the tennis court. EntitledTennis Courts,Hab's latest longform endeavor pays homage to the hidden architectural beauty of the court, arriving as a thematic compilation of primarily aerial short photos that explore the sport and its surrounding atmosphere through Hab's aesthetic lens. Spanning courts all over the world – Paris, London, and California – Haab has long been captivated by the sporting spaces, though he began officially shooting photos for this project back in 2013. Totalling 136 pages, the book spotlights the calm yet captivating aura of the courts through various angles, with Hab playing around with form, color, and composition. 'These elements all come together as a kind of visual language that I find endlessly inspiring,' Hab said in a press release. 'The images I have chosen – some never seen until now – are among my favourites, as my intention was to frame the sport through an alternate aesthetic lens. True to my work, this book is a photographic exploration, an artistic tribute to the beauty of tennis environments.' While as much asTennis Courtsoffers an alternative look at the sport, the book, per Hab, is less about the game itself and more about 'the atmosphere it creates.' Available to purchase now at Hab's official24HBooks webstore,Tennis Courtsruns for €40,00 euros, or roughly $47 USD.
