New Zealand case law
Find a judgment by citation, or research a point through the cases. Follow citations and treatment to see how an authority appears in later decisions.
A legal research library for New Zealand
The law.
The context.
Your assessment.
New Zealand judgments, legislation, and the cases that connect them. A database for the work of finding, reading, and assessing authority.
Inside the libraryAvailable in the library · Claude · ChatGPTFor New Zealand legal professionals
Legislation & interpretation
Search New Zealand legislative provisions and find the cases that discuss or interpret them. Read the provision alongside the relevant authority.
Comparative authority
Research England & Wales judgments where they may assist a New Zealand argument.
Persuasive authority for NZ practice. Privy Council decisions on NZ appeals have a different status.
A case has a history
The citation is
a starting point.
An earlier decision may lead you to a later one. Res Ipsa surfaces that relationship and links to the judgment that needs your attention.
Criminal
01 / 05Sentencing · Guilty pleas
Hessell v R
[2009] NZCA 450 · Court of Appeal
A change on appeal. The citation record points to the Supreme Court judgment. Read it to assess what remains of the earlier approach.
Treatment signals point to further reading; their scope depends on the judgments we hold.
Commercial
02 / 05Contractual interpretation
Bathurst Resources Ltd v L&M Coal Holdings Ltd
[2021] NZSC 85 · Supreme Court
Distinguished in a later case. The record links Bathurst to Ecomi. Follow the later reasoning to assess the distinction and its relevance to your dispute.
The next judgment to read
Ecomi Technology Pte Ltd v MB Technology Ltd[2024] NZCA 47 · Court of Appeal
Treatment signals point to further reading; their scope depends on the judgments we hold.
Family & trusts
03 / 05Trust powers · Relationship property
Clayton v Clayton (Vaughan Road Property Trust)
[2016] NZSC 29 · Supreme Court
A later distinction to examine. The citation record identifies Da Silva as distinguishing Clayton. Read the judgments together to assess the reach of the earlier authority.
Treatment signals point to further reading; their scope depends on the judgments we hold.
Employment
04 / 05Employment Relations Authority jurisdiction
FMV v TZB
[2021] NZSC 102 · Supreme Court
Applied in a later decision. Follow the jurisdiction test from the Supreme Court to its application in Foster v Wilson.
Treatment signals point to further reading; their scope depends on the judgments we hold.
Environment
05 / 05Planning policies · Resource consents
Environmental Defence Society v NZ King Salmon
[2014] NZSC 38 · Supreme Court
A distinction in subsequent treatment. The record points to R J Davidson Family Trust. Read the later judgment to consider how King Salmon bears on your planning question.
The next judgment to read
R J Davidson Family Trust v Marlborough District Council[2018] NZCA 316 · Court of Appeal
Treatment signals point to further reading; their scope depends on the judgments we hold.
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A place for close reading.
Search judgments, open the source, and review recent additions. Follow case links from your research and read the judgment in the library, including on your phone.
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