Crown Law Office

Introduction

The Crown Law Office provides legal advice and representation services to the Government in matters affecting the Executive Government, particularly in the areas of criminal, public and administrative law. The services provided relate to such matters as judicial review of Government actions, constitutional questions including Treaty of Waitangi issues, the enforcement of criminal law, human rights challenges to government policies and procedures, and protection of the revenue.

Crown Law has two primary aims in providing these services:

• to ensure that the operations and responsibilities of the Government are conducted lawfully, and
• to ensure that the Government is not prevented, through legal process, from lawfully implementing its chosen policies and discharging its governmental responsibilities.

Crown Law also administers the prosecution process in the criminal justice system, in particular, trials on indictment before juries.

Functions

The Crown Law Office is responsible for supporting the two Law Officers of the Crown: the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General. This support is provided through:

• the provision of legal advice and legal representation services to Ministers of the Crown, Government departments, and agencies forming part of the government;
• assisting the Attorney-General and Solicitor-General in the performance of their statutory and other functions as Law Officers of the Crown;
• assisting the Solicitor-General with the conduct of criminal appeals;
• assisting the Solicitor-General in the supervision, direction and performance of regional Crown Solicitors in their prosecution functions, including administration of the Crown Solicitor's Regulations 1994; and
• providing advice on the establishment and development of legal service provision within Government departments and agencies.

Crown Law has no specific responsibility for policy formation or for the development of legislation nor does it provide advisory services to the public. However, when requested, Crown Law provides legal input to Government and departments on policy issues, operational changes or developments and proposed changes to legislation, particularly in respect of Criminal and Human Rights related issues.

1. Recruitment

Desired Outcome

To ensure Crown Law is seen as a good employer and an employer of choice with a diverse workforce.

Description

Review recruitment and induction procedures to ensure policies and processes do not adversely impact on suitably qualified disabled people being able to apply for, be successful in finding and retaining employment with the Crown Law Office.

To encourage applications from a diverse range of people, so by the year 2010, Crown Law will have a more diverse workforce, reflecting the inclusion of EEO target groups (disabled people, Māori, Pacific people and ethnic minority people), and consistent with the diversity goals signalled in the Government’s EEO Policy to 2010.

Outcome Measures and Timeframes

Review to be completed September 2005

Implement agreed actions. Timetable will be determined by review recommendations.

Links to Strategy Objective and Action

• Objective: Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people (4.8, 4.9 and 4.11)

2. New Zealand Sign Language Response

Desired Outcomes

Crown Law appropriately supports implementation of the New Zealand Sign Language Bill.

Description

Assess the implications for Crown Law of the statutory principles that Government departments should implement and report on and implement any required actions.

Outcome Measures and Timeframes

• Assess implications for Crown Law by September 2005 or a date consistent with the enactment of the legislation.
• Implement agreed actions, timeframe etc to be consistent with the review recommendations.

Links to Strategy Objective and Action

• Objective: Ensure rights for disabled people (2.1/2.2)
• Objective: Foster an aware and responsive public service (6.4/6.5)