Supreme Court case information
Listed below are the substantive Supreme Court cases for the year along with appeals still to be determined or cases awaiting hearing.
Information giving an overview of the case is included along with media releases and links to judgments being appealed when available.
All 2024 - 2014 Supreme Court cases dismissed or deemed to be dismissed where a notice of abandonment was received can be found here.
Transcripts for cases heard before the Supreme Court are included provided they are not suppressed. Transcripts from pre-trial hearings are not published until the final disposition of trial. These are unedited transcripts and they are not a formal record of the Court’s proceedings. The Ministry of Justice does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any material and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use.
23 December 2024
Case information summary 2024 (as at 23 December 2024) – Cases where leave granted (126 KB)
Case information summary 2024 (as at 23 December 2024) – Cases where leave to appeal decision not yet made (PDF, 116 KB)
All years
Case name
Jack Kain, Molly Kain, Rachel Kain, Stanley Kain, Wolsey Kain, George Couper McHardy Kain, Asta Kain, Madeline Kain, George Pavey Kain, Michael Kain, Rupert Kain, Samuel Kain and Marnie Coupie Forcer Kain v Public Trust and Georgina Kain, George Chalres K
Case number
SC 17/2022
Summary
Civil Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
A The applications for leave to appeal in SC 17/2022 and SC 18/2022 are dismissed.
B Leave is reserved for submissions to be filed if costs are in issue.
24 May 2022
B Leave is reserved for submissions to be filed if costs are in issue.
24 May 2022
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
KAIN v PUBLIC TRUST [2022] NZSC 65 [24 May 2022] (PDF, 203 KB)
Case name
Georgina Kain, George Charles Kain, George Harry Couper Kain, George Michael Kain v Public Trust, Mary Hutton, Marnice Couper Forcer Kain, Jack Kain, Molly Kain, Rachel Kain, Stanley Kain, Wolsey Kain, George Couper McHardy Kain, Asta Kain, Madeline Kain,
Case number
SC 18/2022
Summary
Civil Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
A The applications for leave to appeal in SC 17/2022 and SC 18/2022 are dismissed.
B Leave is reserved for submissions to be filed if costs are in issue.
24 May 2022
B Leave is reserved for submissions to be filed if costs are in issue.
24 May 2022
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
KAIN v PUBLIC TRUST [2022] NZSC 65 [24 May 2022] (PDF, 203 KB)
Case name
Maureen Valerie Grant v A Labour Inspector & Southern Taxis Limited & Maureen Valerie Grant and Nathan Adams as administrators in the estate of Ronald James Grant
Case number
SC 19/2022
Summary
Civil Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
A notice of abandonment having been filed, the application for leave to appeal is deemed to be dismissed.
2 March 2022
2 March 2022
Employment Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Case name
I (SC 20/2022) v The Queen
Case number
SC 20/2022
Summary
Order prohibiting publication of the judgment and any part of the proceedings (including the result) in news media or on the internet or other publicly available database until final disposition of trial. Publication in law report or law digest permitted.
Result
Order prohibiting publication of the judgment and any part of the proceedings (including the result) in news media or on the internet or other publicly available database until final disposition of trial. Publication in law report or law digest permitted.
30 March 2022
30 March 2022
District Court decision
Not publicly available
Court of Appeal decision
Not publicly available
Case name
Alan Russell Hall v The Queen
Case number
SC 21/2022
Summary
Criminal Appeal
Result
A The application for an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal is granted.
B Leave to appeal is granted (R v Hall [1987] 1 NZLR 616 (CA)).
C The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal was correct to dismiss the appeal.
3 May 2022
_____________________________________________________
A The appeal is allowed.
B The convictions of the appellant are quashed.
C Order under s 385(2) of the Crimes Act 1961 directing that verdicts of acquittal be entered.
8 June 2022
B Leave to appeal is granted (R v Hall [1987] 1 NZLR 616 (CA)).
C The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal was correct to dismiss the appeal.
3 May 2022
_____________________________________________________
A The appeal is allowed.
B The convictions of the appellant are quashed.
C Order under s 385(2) of the Crimes Act 1961 directing that verdicts of acquittal be entered.
8 June 2022
Date of hearing
08 June 2022
Judges
Winkelmann CJ, O'Regan, Ellen France, Williams and Kós JJ
Submissions from counsel
- Hearing date 8 June 2022 Appellant submission (PDF, 1 MB)
- Hearing date 8 June 2022 Respondent submission (PDF, 642 KB)
Transcripts
- Hearing date 8 June 2022 (PDF, 383 KB)
Media Releases
- MR 2022 NZSC 71 (PDF, 201 KB)
Court of Appeal decision
Not publicly available
Leave judgment - leave granted
ALAN RUSSELL HALL v R [2022] NZSC 51 [3 May 2022] (PDF, 156 KB)
Substantive judgment
ALAN RUSSELL HALL v R [2022] NZSC 71 [8 June 2022] (PDF, 125 KB)
Substantive judgment
Case name
C (SC 22/2022) v The Queen
Case number
SC 22/2022
Summary
Criminal Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Court of Appeal decision
Not publicly available
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
C (SC 22/2022) v R [2022] NZSC 82 [1 July 2022] (PDF, 44 KB)
Case name
Attorney-General v Mariya Ann Taylor and Robert Roper
Case number
SC 23/2022
Summary
Civil Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
A Leave to appeal is granted (Taylor v Roper [2020] NZCA 268 reissued 16 December 2021 and Taylor v Roper [2021] NZCA 691).
B Leave to the First Respondent to cross appeal is granted.
17 May 2022
________________________________________________________
A The appeal is allowed. We uphold the conclusion of the High Court Judge dismissing the claim by Ms Taylor for compensatory damages in relation to false imprisonment.
B The cross appeal is dismissed.
C Costs are reserved.
12 May 2023
________________________________________________________
A There are no costs orders in this Court.
B Costs in the Courts below are to be dealt with by those Courts.
4 July 2023
B Leave to the First Respondent to cross appeal is granted.
17 May 2022
________________________________________________________
A The appeal is allowed. We uphold the conclusion of the High Court Judge dismissing the claim by Ms Taylor for compensatory damages in relation to false imprisonment.
B The cross appeal is dismissed.
C Costs are reserved.
12 May 2023
________________________________________________________
A There are no costs orders in this Court.
B Costs in the Courts below are to be dealt with by those Courts.
4 July 2023
Date of hearing
05 October 2022
Judges
Winkelmann CJ, Glazebrook, O'Regan, Williams and William Young JJ
Submissions from counsel
- Hearing date 5 October 2022 Appellant submissions A G (PDF, 538 KB)
- Hearing date 5 October 2022 Attorney General submissions on cross appeal (PDF, 293 KB)
- Hearing date 5 October 2022 Appellants Submissions Roper (PDF, 280 KB)
- Hearing date 5 October 2022 Cross Appellants Submissions in opposition to the Submissions of the Attorney General (PDF, 121 KB)
- Hearing date 5 October 2022 Cross Appellants Submissions Opposing Submissions of Roper (PDF, 111 KB)
- Hearing date 5 October 2022 First Respondent Cross Appellant Outline of Oral Argument (PDF, 679 KB)
- Hearing date 5 October 2022 Attorney General Outline of Oral Argument (PDF, 804 KB)
Transcripts
- Hearing date 5 October 2022 (PDF, 405 KB)
Case Synopses
- Hearing date 5 October - 6 October 2022 (PDF, 688 KB)
Media Releases
- MR [2023] NZSC 49 (PDF, 250 KB)
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave granted
Substantive judgment
Supreme court decision
Case name
PN (SC 24/2022) v NZ Police
Case number
SC 24/2022
Summary
Criminal Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
30 March 2022
30 March 2022
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Case name
Evan Kerry Stewart v Vivian Judith Fatupaito and Elizabeth Helen Keene
Case number
SC 25/2022
Summary
Civil Appeal - Application for leave to bring an appeal
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B The applicant must pay the respondents costs of $2,500. 3 June 2022
B The applicant must pay the respondents costs of $2,500. 3 June 2022
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Case name
The Attorney-General and The Chief Executive, Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections v Mark David Chisnall
Case number
SC 26/2022
Summary
Civil Appeal
Result
A Leave to appeal and to cross-appeal is granted (Chisnall v Attorney-General [2021] NZCA 616 and Chisnall v Attorney-General [2022] NZCA 24).
B The approved questions are as follows:
(a) Whether the Court of Appeal was correct to make declarations that Part 1A of the Parole Act 2002 [extended supervision orders] and the Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Act 2014 [public safety orders] are inconsistent with s 26(2) of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 [the Bill of Rights]; and
(b) Whether the Court of Appeal was correct not to make declarations that extended supervision orders and public safety orders are inconsistent with ss 9, 22, 23(5), 25(a), (c) and (d), and 26(1) of the Bill of Rights.
22 June 2022
__________________________________
A The appeal is allowed in part.
B The cross-appeal is dismissed.
C We seek submissions from counsel on the form of the declarations of inconsistency, as set out at [269].
D Costs are reserved.
19 December 2024
B The approved questions are as follows:
(a) Whether the Court of Appeal was correct to make declarations that Part 1A of the Parole Act 2002 [extended supervision orders] and the Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Act 2014 [public safety orders] are inconsistent with s 26(2) of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 [the Bill of Rights]; and
(b) Whether the Court of Appeal was correct not to make declarations that extended supervision orders and public safety orders are inconsistent with ss 9, 22, 23(5), 25(a), (c) and (d), and 26(1) of the Bill of Rights.
22 June 2022
__________________________________
A The appeal is allowed in part.
B The cross-appeal is dismissed.
C We seek submissions from counsel on the form of the declarations of inconsistency, as set out at [269].
D Costs are reserved.
19 December 2024
Date of hearing
03 April 2023
- 04 April 2023
Judges
Winkelmann CJ, Glazebrook, O'Regan, Williams and Kós JJ
Submissions from counsel
- Hearing date 3 and 4 April 2023 Appellant Cross Respondent Supplementary Submissions (PDF, 481 KB)
- Hearing date 3 and 4 April 2023 Respondent Cross Appellant Supplementary Submissions (PDF, 474 KB)
- Hearing date 3 and 4 April 2023 Intervener Submissions (PDF, 1 MB)
- Hearing date 17/18 October 2022 Appellants' Submissions (PDF, 571 KB)
- Hearing date 17/18 October 2022 Respondent's Submissions (PDF, 417 KB)
- Hearing date 17/18 October 2022 Cross-Appellant's Submissions on Cross-Appeal (PDF, 350 KB)
- Hearing date 17/18 October 2022 Cross-Respondents' Submissions on Cross-Appeal (PDF, 416 KB)
Transcripts
- Hearing date 17 and 18 October 2022 (PDF, 606 KB)
- Hearing date 3 and 4 April 2023 (PDF, 987 KB)
Case Synopses
- Hearing date 17 October + 18 October 2022 (PDF, 677 KB)
Media Releases
- MR [2024] NZSC 178 (PDF, 371 KB)
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave granted
Substantive judgment
Videos
- The Attorney-General and The Chief Executive, Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections v Mark David Chisnall SC 26/2022 - 4 April 2023 (Recorded, 4 April 2023)
- The Attorney-General and The Chief Executive, Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections v Mark David Chisnall SC 26/2022 - 3 April 2023 (Recorded, 3 April 2023)
- The Attorney-General v Mark David Chisnall SC 26/2022 - 18 October 2022 (Recorded, 18 October 2022)
- The Attorney-General v Mark David Chisnall SC 26/2022 - 17 October 2022 (Recorded, 17 October 2022)
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