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The Place Of The Judiciary In The Constitutional Culture Of New Zealand, Matthew S. R. Palmer Qc
The Place Of The Judiciary In The Constitutional Culture Of New Zealand, Matthew S. R. Palmer Qc
The Hon Justice Matthew Palmer
New Zealand constitutional culture is dominated by the political branches of government: representative democracy and parliamentary sovereignty are perhaps the two most fundamental New Zealand constitutional norms. The judiciary has historically occupied an inferior, residual role with a relatively inaudible voice in constitutional dialogue. Against this context the paper explores the position of the judiciary in contemporary New Zealand constitutional culture. It concludes that it would take a striking judicial decision, consistent with public opinion, against government action, to invigorate popular support for the judicial branch of government. The normative prescription for the institutional health of the judicial branch is …
Public Reporting Of Courts’ Performance – How Is This Best Achieved?, Matthew S.R. Palmer
Public Reporting Of Courts’ Performance – How Is This Best Achieved?, Matthew S.R. Palmer
The Hon Justice Matthew Palmer
In this address Matthew Palmer suggests: 1 The disclosure of information, probably more information than the judiciary feels comfortable disclosing, in a simple, straightforward, unvarnished way, is essential to the medium term constitutional legitimacy of the judiciary. 2 Judges, public servants and politicians speak different languages. Recognising the differences is the first step to a better understanding of, and communication with, each other and, perhaps to mitigating the potential for constitutional conflicts to get out of hand. 3 It’s not constitutionally appropriate for the executive or legislative branches of government to decide, over the wishes of the judiciary, on the …