To Consider Law Reform

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 18

To Consider Law Reform

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 22. Members of the four standing law reform committees that will consider topics referred to them by the Law Revision Commission were announced today by the Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan).

On the Public and Administrative Law Reform Committee, of which the Secretary for Justice, Mr J. L. Robson, is chairman, are Professor C. C. Aikman, professor of jurisprudence and constitutional law at Victoria University; Mr A. C. Brassington, a Christchurch barrister and solicitor; Mr R. B. Cooke, Q.C., of Wellington; Mr E. L. Greensmith, of Wellington, former Secretary to the Treasury; Dr. R. G. McElroy, an Auckland barrister and solicitor; Professor J. F. Northey, University of Auckland, professor of public law; Mr G. S. Orr, senior Crown counsel, Crown Law Office; and Mr D. A. S. Ward, counsel to the Law Drafting Office. The secretary of the committee will be Mr C. W. Ogilvie, of the Department of Justice.

Mr E. S. Bowie, Q.C., of Christchurch will be chairman of the Contracts and Commercial Law Reform Committee. Its members are Mr M. F. Chilwell, Q.C., of Auckland; Professor B. Coote, University of Auckland, professor of law; Mr D. F. Dugdale, an Auckland barrister and solicitor; Mr C. I. Patterson, a Wellington barrister and solicitor; Mr B. J. Cameron, chief advisory officer, Department of Justice, and Mr W. Iles, assistant law draftsman, Law Drafting Office. The committee secretary will be Mr C. R. Moody, of the Department of Justice. The Torts and General Law Reform Committee, presided over by Mr J. C. White, the Solicitor-General, will comprise Professor A. G. Davis, emeritus professor of law, Auckland University: Mr R. K. Davison, Q.C., of Auckland; Mr B. McClelland, a Christchurch barrister and solicitor; Mr D. L. Mathieson, senior lecturer in law at Victoria University; Mr J. P. McVeagh, assistant law draftsman. Law Drafting Office; and Miss P. M. Webb, advisory officer Department of Justice. Mr K. B. Farquhar, of the Justice Department, will be the committee secretary. The Property Law and Equity Reform Committee of which Professor F. W. Guest, professor of law at Otago University is chairman, will comprise Dr. G. P. Barton, senior lecturer in law at Victoria University; Professor H. R. Gray, professor of law at Canterbury University; Mr C. P. Hutchinson, M.8.E., Q.C., of Auckland; Mr K. U. McKay, a Waipawa barrister and solicitor; Mr E. J. Somers, a Christchurch barrister and solicitor; Mr R. E. C. Beatson, office solicitor in the Public Trust Office; Mr G. Cain, Crown counsel at the Crown Law Office; Mr J. G. Hamilton,

law draftsman at the Law Drafting Office. It is intended the Registrar-General of Land, Mr E. K. Phillips, will also sit as a member when the committee is considering matters affecting property law. Mr Cain will act as committee secretary. First Tasks

The Minister said he had consulted the New Zealand Law Society regarding the composition of the committees. Further appointments were likely. The first task facing the Committee on Public and Administrative Law would be to review the rights of appeal from decisions of administrative tribunals—a report on which was recently submitted to the Government by the Law Society. “Also likely to receive high priority are a review of the constitution and procedure of these tribunals and an examination of the judicial remedies available for administrative acts which adversely affect the citizen," he said. The work of' the contracts and commercial law committee will cover a wide range, including remedies for misrepresentation and breach of contract, the sale of goods, hire purchase, lay-by sales and transfer of chattels.

• "This committee will not, for the present at least, be concerned with company law revision. This task may be undertaken by a special body," he said.

Laws On Liability The Committee on Torts and General Law will consider the law relating to the liability of occupiers for injuries suffered by trespassers, and the liability of manufacturers and distributors of goods for damage caused to persons with whom they do not have a contractual relationship. The committee will also examine the need for old actions, such as those for breach of promise, seduction and enticement. “Some authorities consider this type of action is anachronous and unjustified,” said the Minister.

The Property Law and Equity Committee will concern itself with the law of property generally—including matters affecting land transfer and leases. It will also cover the field of trusts and the administration of estates. “The principal matter is a proposal for a comprehensive review of the law governing executors and administrators involving the revision of the Administration Act,” the Minister said.