Estimates of appropriations

Vote Courts - Justice Sector - Estimates 2018/19

Formats and related files

Vote Courts#

APPROPRIATION MINISTER(S): Minister for Courts (M19)

APPROPRIATION ADMINISTRATOR: Ministry of Justice

RESPONSIBLE MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF JUSTICE: Minister of Justice

Overview of the Vote#

The Minister for Courts is responsible for appropriations in Vote Courts for the 2018/19 financial year, covering the following:

  • a total of over $469 million (60% of the Vote) on purchasing services (mostly support for managing cases, claims and applications through courts and tribunals, and the collection and enforcement of fines and civil debts) from the Ministry of Justice
  • a total of over $148 million (19% of the Vote) on purchasing services from non-departmental providers. The major part of the appropriation covers costs incurred under various Acts, and
  • a total of nearly $159 million (21% of the Vote) on non-departmental expenditure to cover Judges', Coroners' and Community Magistrates' salaries and allowances.

The imposition of over $133 million of fines, offender levies, contributions towards lawyer for child costs, and other penalties imposed through the courts is expected during the 2018/19 financial year.

Details of these appropriations are set out in Parts 2-4.

Details of Appropriations and Capital Injections#

Annual and Permanent Appropriations#

  2017/18 2018/19
Titles and Scopes of Appropriations by Appropriation Type Final
Budgeted
$000
Estimated
Actual
$000
Budget
$000

Non-Departmental Other Expenses

     

Abortion Supervisory Committee - Certifying Consultants Fees (M19)

Payments to certifying consultants for providing opinions under Section 33 of the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977.
5,063 5,063 5,063

Assistance to Victims of Crime (M19)

Funding for the Criminal Justice Assistance Reimbursement Scheme.
40 40 40

Community Magistrates Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)

This appropriation is limited to the remuneration and allowances of Community Magistrates as authorised by section 60 of the District Court Act 2016.
999 999 999

Coroners Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)

This appropriation is limited to the costs related to the terms and conditions of remuneration for Coroners pursuant to Section 110 of the Coroners Act 2006.
6,568 6,568 6,568

Court and Coroner Related Costs (M19)

This appropriation is limited to funding professional and administrative services provided to or directed by courts and coroners, including costs that are required by legislation and costs incurred by Visiting Justices.
100,948 98,200 109,139

District Court Judges' Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)

This appropriation is limited to the remuneration and allowances of Judges in the District Court, including the Environment Court, as authorised by section 34 of the District Court Act 2016.
76,257 76,257 76,110

District Court Part-time or Acting Judges' Salaries and Allowances (M19)

This appropriation is limited to the remuneration and allowances of part-time and acting Judges in the District Court, including the Environment Court.
21,262 21,262 21,262

Employment Court Judges' Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)

This appropriation is limited to costs related to the terms and conditions of remuneration for Judges and acting warranted Judges in the Employment Court incurred pursuant to s.206 Employment Relations Act 2000.
4,191 4,191 4,191

Impairment of Debt Established to Recognise Contributions towards Family Court Professional Services (M19)

This appropriation is limited to the impairment of debt owing as a contribution towards Family Court Professional Services costs in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
1,292 1,292 1,292

Impairment of Fines Receivable (M19)

This appropriation is limited to allowing for the impairment of fines, court costs and enforcement fees in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
10,492 10,492 13,531

Judicial Review Costs (M19)

Cost of legal services (including settlement of claims) in cases involving the exercise of judicial functions or the execution of judicial process or costs of counsel to assist the court, including payments ordered to be made from the Maori Land Court Special Aid Fund.
1,546 1,546 1,546

Justices of the Peace Association (M19)

This appropriation is limited to the cost of administrative services from the Royal Federation of Justices including training and rostering Justices of the Peace for court hearings, and training for Visiting Justices.
410 410 410

Maori Land Court Judges' Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)

This appropriation is limited to costs related to the terms and conditions of remuneration for Judges and acting warranted Judges in the Maori Land Court incurred pursuant to s.13 Te Ture Whenua Maori Land Act 1993.
6,463 6,463 6,007

Senior Courts Acting Judges' Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)

This appropriation is limited to the remuneration and allowances of acting warranted Judges and Associate Judges in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court as authorised by section 137 of the Senior Courts Act 2016.
330 330 330

Senior Courts Judges' Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)

This appropriation is limited to the remuneration and allowances of Judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court as authorised by section 135 of the Senior Courts Act 2016.
47,775 47,775 43,491

Tribunal Related Fees and Expenses (M19)

This appropriation is limited to funding remuneration, allowances, or fees for the Chairs, Members, Adjudicators and Assessors of Specialist Tribunals, and expenses incurred by those Chairs, Members, Adjudicators and Assessors in relation to Tribunal work.
13,258 13,258 17,085

Total Non-Departmental Other Expenses

296,894 294,146 307,064

Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure

     

Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services, including the Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services MCA (M19)

The overarching purpose of this appropriation is to provide courts, tribunals and other authorities services, including the collection and enforcement of fines and civil debts services.
456,858 457,075 469,288

Departmental Output Expenses

     

Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services

This category is limited to the purchase of collection and enforcement of fines and civil debts services.
59,073 59,073 54,765

District Court Services

This category is limited to providing services that support the work of the District Court, including the Youth Court and Family Court.
247,255 247,255 257,489

Senior Courts Services

This category is limited to providing services that support the work of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court.
67,418 67,418 72,808

Specialist Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services

This category is limited to providing services that support the work of New Zealand's specialist courts, tribunals and authorities.
83,112 83,329 84,226

Total Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure

456,858 457,075 469,288

Total Annual and Permanent Appropriations

753,752 751,221 776,352

Supporting Information#

Part 1 - Vote as a Whole#

1.1 - New Policy Initiatives

Policy Initiative Appropriation 2017/18
Final Budgeted
$000
2018/19
Budget
$000
2019/20
Estimated
$000
2020/21
Estimated
$000
2021/22
Estimated
$000
Court and Coronial Services - Additional Investment

Court and Coroner Related Costs

Non-Departmental Other Expenses
15,000  22,000  22,000  22,000  22,000 
Youth Justice- Including 17 Year Olds in The Youth Justice System and Managing Remand Pressures

Court and Coroner Related Costs

Non-Departmental Other Expenses
- - 4,392 4,366 4,337
 

Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services, including the Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services MCA

Departmental Output Expenses
District Court Services
- 124 108 34 63
 Ministry of Justice - Additional Investment

Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services, including the Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services MCACourts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services, including the Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services MCA

Departmental Output Expenses
5,124  12,067  16,423  18,442
 
  Collections and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services  622  1,465  1,994  2,239 
  District Court Services 2,806  6,609  8,994  10,101 
  Senior Courts Services 784  1,845  2,512  2,820 
  Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services 912  2,148  2,923  3,282 
Canterbury Earthquakes Insurance Tribunal

Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services, including the Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services MCA

Departmental Output Expenses
Specialist Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services
- 1,830 - - -
 

Tribunal Related Fees and Expenses

Non-Departmental Other Expenses
- 1,050 - - -
Total Initiatives   15,000 30,128 38,567 42,823 44,842

Summary of Financial Activity#

  2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
  Actual
$000
Actual
$000
Actual
$000
Actual
$000
Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated
Actual
$000
Departmental
Transactions
Budget
$000
Non-
Departmental
Transactions
Budget
$000
Total
Budget
$000
Estimated
$000
Estimated
$000
Estimated
$000

Appropriations

                       
Output Expenses - - - - - - - - - - - -
Benefits or Related Expenses - - - - - - N/A - - - - -
Borrowing Expenses - - - - - - - - - - - -
Other Expenses 243,594 207,810 228,691 254,139 296,894 294,146 - 307,064 307,064 313,423 315,835 316,930
Capital Expenditure - - - - - - - - - - - -
Intelligence and Security Department Expenses and Capital Expenditure - - - - - - - N/A - - - -
Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure (MCA)                        
Output Expenses 454,321 435,917 444,835 436,637 456,858 456,858 469,288 - 469,288 469,756 481,221 484,122
Other Expenses - - - - - - - - - - - -
Capital Expenditure - - - - - - N/A - - - - -

Total Appropriations

697,915 643,727 673,526 690,776 753,752 751,004 469,288 307,064 776,352 783,179 797,056 801,052

Crown Revenue and Capital Receipts

                       
Tax Revenue - - - - - - N/A - - - - -
Non-Tax Revenue 179,073 143,437 137,411 142,112 133,481 133,481 N/A 133,322 133,322 133,173 133,026 133,026
Capital Receipts - - - - - - N/A - - - - -

Total Crown Revenue and Capital Receipts

179,073 143,437 137,411 142,112 133,481 133,481 N/A 133,322 133,322 133,173 133,026 133,026

Note - where restructuring of the vote has occurred then, to the extent practicable, prior years information has been restated as if the restructuring had occurred before the beginning of the period covered. In this instance Total Appropriations for the Budgeted and Estimated Actual year may not equal Total Appropriations in the Details of Appropriations and Capital Injections.

Total Vote: All Appropriations

Output Expenses

The general increase to output class appropriation reflects additional funding for the following:

  • Transfer of $100 million capital to operating baseline over a period of ten years to manage the Ministry's cost pressures.
  • Additional investment to meet increased remuneration, asset maintenance and ongoing in information and communications technology costs.

The Ministry will continue to manage cost pressures through productivity and efficiency savings, as well as reprioritising funding where appropriate.

Other Expenses

Other expenses are forecasted to gradually increase from 2017/18 and reflect the additional investment in the court system to meet increasing demand and to support the long-term sustainability of coronial services.

Vote trends in MCA Departmental Output Expenses and Non-Departmental Other Expenses
Source: Ministry of Justice

Part 3 - Details of Non-Departmental Appropriations#

3.4 - Non-Departmental Other Expenses#

Abortion Supervisory Committee - Certifying Consultants Fees (M19)

Scope of Appropriation
Payments to certifying consultants for providing opinions under Section 33 of the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977.
Expenses
  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 5,063 5,063 5,063
What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient provision of medical opinions.

End of Year Performance Reporting

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA, as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for payments under Section 33 of the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977.

Assistance to Victims of Crime (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Funding for the Criminal Justice Assistance Reimbursement Scheme.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 40 40 40

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve effective support and services for victims, to reduce the impact of crime.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount of this annual appropriation for a non-departmental other expense is less than $5 million.

Community Magistrates Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to the remuneration and allowances of Community Magistrates as authorised by section 60 of the District Court Act 2016.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 999 999 999

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the courts system by providing payment of salaries and allowances to Community Magistrates.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA, as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for payments under the remuneration provisions of the District Court Act 2016.

Coroners Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to the costs related to the terms and conditions of remuneration for Coroners pursuant to Section 110 of the Coroners Act 2006.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 6,568 6,568 6,568

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the coronial system of New Zealand by providing payment of salaries and allowances to coroners.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA, as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for payments under Section 110 of the Coroners Act 2006.

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to funding professional and administrative services provided to or directed by courts and coroners, including costs that are required by legislation and costs incurred by Visiting Justices.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 100,948 98,200 109,139

Components of the Appropriation#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Family Court Professional Services 40,814 38,753 40,814
Children Young Persons and Their Families Professional Services 13,443 12,756 13,443
Coroner-Directed Post-Mortems 11,089 11,089 19,280
Domestic Violence Professional Services 11,515 11,515 11,515
Youth Court Professional Fees 10,554 10,554 10,554
Medical and Other Professional Services 5,639 5,639 5,639
Witness Fees and Expenses 3,024 3,024 3,024
Personal Property Protection Rights Costs 4,256 4,256 4,256
Visiting Justices to Prisons 380 380 380
Costs In Criminal Cases 222 222 222
Representations for Blood Sampling 12 12 12
Total 100,948 98,200 109,139

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve effective professional and administrative services to ensure that court users receive appropriate support and representation, and the judiciary have sufficient information to proceed with cases.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

  2017/18 2018/19
Assessment of Performance Final Budgeted
Standard
Estimated
Actual
Budget
Standard

Children Young Persons and Their Families Professional Services: Number of service provision appointments (see Note 1)

4,800-5,300 5,200 4,800-5,300

Family Court Professional Services: Number of service provision appointments (see Note 2)

10,200-11,300 11,800 10,200-11,300

Percentage of people who started a non-violence programme who completed the programme

New measure New measure 70%

Number of safety planning services delivered to protected persons/victims

3,800-4,300 4,000 3,800-4,300

Note 1 - The services provided are demand driven and dependent on the type of cases before the court. The services are judicially ordered.

Note 2 - The services provided include court appointed counsel, such as lawyer for child, lawyer to assist the court and specialist report writers. These services are demand driven and professional service providers are engaged when the Judge determines there is a need. An application can have more than one type of service provision appointment.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Minister for Courts in a report appended to the Ministry of Justice's Annual Report.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives#

Policy Initiative Year of
First
Impact
2017/18
Final Budgeted
$000
2018/19
Budget
$000
2019/20
Estimated
$000
2020/21
Estimated
$000
2021/22
Estimated
$000

Current Government

           
Youth Justice - Including 17 Year Olds in The Youth Justice System and Managing Remand Pressures 2019/20 - - 4,392 4,366 4,337
Court and Coronial Services - Additional Investment 2017/18 15,000 22,000 22,000 22,000 22,000

Previous Government

           
Review of family violence legislation 2018/19 - 533 1,450 2,288 2,288
Justice Sector Fund - Interventions to reduce family violence and sexual violence 2016/17 332 - - - -
Vulnerable Children Bill implementation 2015/16 5,150 5,140 5,140 5,140 5,140
Coronial transportation services 2013/14 1,423 1,423 1,423 1,423 1,423

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The increase in this appropriation of $8.191 million for 2018/19 is to support the long-term sustainability of coronial services and the court system to meet increasing demand for its services.

District Court Judges' Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to the remuneration and allowances of Judges in the District Court, including the Environment Court, as authorised by section 34 of the District Court Act 2016.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 76,257 76,257 76,110

Components of the Appropriation#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
District Court Judges 71,587 71,587 71,440
Environment Court Judges 4,670 4,670 4,670
Total 76,257 76,257 76,110

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the court system by providing payment of salaries and allowances to the District Court and Environment Court judiciary.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for payments under remuneration provisions of the District Court Act 2016.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives#

Policy Initiative Year of
First
Impact
2017/18
Final Budgeted
$000
2018/19
Budget
$000
2019/20
Estimated
$000
2020/21
Estimated
$000
2021/22
Estimated
$000

Previous Government

           
Investing in Policing - Safe, Confident and Resilient Communities 2017/18 500 1,500 3,000 4,000 4,000

District Court Part-time or Acting Judges' Salaries and Allowances (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to the remuneration and allowances of part-time and acting Judges in the District Court, including the Environment Court.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 21,262 21,262 21,262

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the courts system by providing payment of salaries and allowances to part-time and acting Judges in the District Court.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15(D)(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA, as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for the remuneration and allowances of District Court part-time or acting Judges.

Employment Court Judges' Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to costs related to the terms and conditions of remuneration for Judges and acting warranted Judges in the Employment Court incurred pursuant to s.206 Employment Relations Act 2000.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 4,191 4,191 4,191

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the courts system by providing payment of salaries and allowances to the Employment Court judiciary.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA, as additional information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for payments under s206 Employment Relations Act 2000.

Impairment of Debt Established to Recognise Contributions towards Family Court Professional Services (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to the impairment of debt owing as a contribution towards Family Court Professional Services costs in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 1,292 1,292 1,292

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the Family Court system by providing for the incurring of expenses involved in the impairment of debt.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA, as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for the impairment of debt.

Impairment of Fines Receivable (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to allowing for the impairment of fines, court costs and enforcement fees in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 10,492 10,492 13,531

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the court system by providing for the incurring of expenses involved in the impairment of fines, court costs and enforcement fees.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA, as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for the impairment of fines and enforcement fees.

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The increase of $3.039 million for 2018/19 is mainly due to a reduction to 2017/18 baseline as a result of an actuarial review completed 2016/17 which led to a high level of write down of fines receivable for 2016/17. As a result less fines were written down for 2017/18.

In 2018/19 the appropriation returns to baseline.

Judicial Review Costs (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Cost of legal services (including settlement of claims) in cases involving the exercise of judicial functions or the execution of judicial process or costs of counsel to assist the court, including payments ordered to be made from the Maori Land Court Special Aid Fund.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 1,546 1,546 1,546

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve an effective process for ensuring that decisions made by public bodies are lawful and within their rights.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount of this annual appropriation for a non-departmental other expense is less than $5 million.

Justices of the Peace Association (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to the cost of administrative services from the Royal Federation of Justices including training and rostering Justices of the Peace for court hearings, and training for Visiting Justices.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 410 410 410

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient provision of Justices of the Peace services by providing funding for the work performed by the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices' Associations.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount of this annual appropriation for a non-departmental other expense is less than $5 million.

Maori Land Court Judges' Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to costs related to the terms and conditions of remuneration for Judges and acting warranted Judges in the Maori Land Court incurred pursuant to s.13 Te Ture Whenua Maori Land Act 1993.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 6,463 6,463 6,007

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the courts system by providing payment of salaries and allowances to the Maori Land Court judiciary.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA, as additional information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for payments under s13 Te Ture Whenua Maori Land Act 1993.

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The decrease in this appropriation of $456,000 for 2018/19 is due to an increase to the 2017/18 baseline for Judges' leave liability calculation.

Senior Courts Acting Judges' Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to the remuneration and allowances of acting warranted Judges and Associate Judges in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court as authorised by section 137 of the Senior Courts Act 2016.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 330 330 330

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the courts system by providing payment of salaries and allowances to acting warranted Judges and Associate Judges in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for payments under the remuneration provisions of the Senior Courts Act 2016.

Senior Courts Judges' Salaries and Allowances PLA (M19)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to the remuneration and allowances of Judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court as authorised by section 135 of the Senior Courts Act 2016.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 47,775 47,775 43,491

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the courts system by providing payment of salaries and allowances to Judges in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for payments under the remuneration provisions of the Senior Courts Act 2016.

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The decrease in this appropriation of $4.284 million for 2018/19 is mainly due to an increase to the 2017/18 baseline for Judges' leave liability calculation.

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to funding remuneration, allowances, or fees for the Chairs, Members, Adjudicators and Assessors of Specialist Tribunals, and expenses incurred by those Chairs, Members, Adjudicators and Assessors in relation to Tribunal work.

Expenses#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 13,258 13,258 17,085

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the efficient running of the tribunals administered by the Ministry of Justice through the payment of remuneration, allowances, fees and expenses for Chairs, Members, Adjudicators, and Assessors of Specialist Tribunals.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA, as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for funding remuneration, allowances or fees.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives#

Policy Initiative Year of
First
Impact
2017/18
Final Budgeted
$000
2018/19
Budget
$000
2019/20
Estimated
$000
2020/21
Estimated
$000
2021/22
Estimated
$000

Current Government

           
Canterbury Earthquakes Insurance Tribunal 2018/19 - 1,050 - - -

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The increase of $3.827 million in this appropriation in 2018/19 is due to:

  • an increase of $2.777 million for Judicial and Statutory Officers sitting fees and related expenses transferred from Departmental output expense: Specialist Courts Tribunals and Other Authorities Services, and
  • an increase of $1.050 million for the establishment and operation of Canterbury Earthquakes Insurance Tribunal to resolve unsettled residential insurance disputes arising from the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.

Part 4 - Details of Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure#

Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure#

Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services, including the Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services (M19)

Overarching Purpose Statement
The overarching purpose of this appropriation is to provide courts, tribunals and other authorities services, including the collection and enforcement of fines and civil debts services.
Scope of Appropriation

Departmental Output Expenses

Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services
This category is limited to the purchase of collection and enforcement of fines and civil debts services.
District Court Services
This category is limited to providing services that support the work of the District Court, including the Youth Court and Family Court.
Senior Courts Services
This category is limited to providing services that support the work of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court.
Specialist Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services
This category is limited to providing services that support the work of New Zealand's specialist courts, tribunals and authorities.
Expenses, Revenue and Capital Expenditure
  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000

Total Appropriation

456,858 457,075 469,288

Departmental Output Expenses

     
Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services 59,073 59,073 54,765
District Court Services 247,255 247,255 257,489
Senior Courts Services 67,418 67,418 72,808
Specialist Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services 83,112 83,329 84,226

Funding for Departmental Output Expenses

     

Revenue from the Crown

401,614 401,783 419,247
Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services 54,384 54,384 50,302
District Court Services 217,958 217,958 231,345
Senior Courts Services 56,224 56,224 61,918
Specialist Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services 73,048 73,217 75,682

Revenue from Others

55,591 55,422 49,986
Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services 4,689 4,689 4,463
District Court Services 29,609 29,609 26,144
Senior Courts Services 11,194 11,194 10,890
Specialist Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services 10,099 9,930 8,489
Components of the Appropriation
  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000

Departmental

     

Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services

     
Collection and Enforcement of Fines 49,718 49,718 46,091
Collections and Enforcement of Civil Debt 9,355 9,355 8,674
Total 59,073 59,073 54,765

District Court Services

     
Criminal Court 171,536 171,536 179,117
Family Court 61,160 61,160 63,302
Civil Court 14,559 14,559 15,070
Total 247,255 247,255 257,489

Senior Court Services

     
High Court - Criminal 26,313 26,313 28,417
High Court - Civil 20,919 20,919 22,591
Supreme Court - Civil 6,957 6,957 7,513
Supreme Court - Criminal 7,212 7,212 7,789
Court of Appeal - Criminal 3,147 3,147 3,399
Court of Appeal - Civil 2,870 2,870 3,099
Total 67,418 67,418 72,808

Specialist Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services

     
Maori Land Court and Maori Land Information 22,793 22,793 22,475
Other Tribunals And Authorities 16,183 16,183 17,906
Disputes Tribunal 9,061 9,061 9,001
Waitangi Tribunal Services 10,089 10,089 10,022
Environment Court 7,510 7,510 7,461
Coroner Services 9,333 9,333 9,272
Tenancy Tribunal 6,010 6,010 5,971
Employment Court 2,133 2,133 2,118
Total 83,112 83,112 84,226

Grand Total

456,858

456,858

469,288

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This appropriation is intended to achieve an efficient and accessible system of courts, tribunals and other authorities, which is trusted by New Zealanders.

How Performance will be Assessed for this Appropriation
  2017/18 2018/19
Assessment of Performance Final Budgeted
Standard
Estimated
Actual
Budget
Standard

Satisfaction of court users with court services and facilities (see Note 1)

80% 81% 80%

Percentage of juror survey responses that rate overall juror satisfaction as "satisfied" or better

90% 90% 90%

Percentage of Criminal Trials - category 3 and 4 resolved within 12 months

90% 88% 90%

Note 1 - Biannual survey. Last survey was completed in 2017.

What is Intended to be Achieved with each Category and How Performance will be Assessed
  2017/18 2018/19
Assessment of Performance Final Budgeted
Standard
Estimated
Actual
Budget
Standard

Departmental Output Expenses

     

Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services

     

This category is intended to achieve efficient, accessible and responsive collections of fines, reparations and civil debt services that are trusted by the public.

     

Total amount of fines collected

$157 million to $177 million $166 to $186 million $157 million to $177 million

Percentage of court-imposed and infringement fines collected or placed under arrangement within four months

84% 79% 84%

Percentage of all civil enforcement application types processed in 3 days or less

85% 93% 90%

Percentage of Offender Levy collected or placed under arrangement within four months

New measure New measure 85%

Percentage of debt that is overdue

44% 48% 48%

Percentage of debt that is under arrangement

New measure New measure 43%

District Court Services

     

This category is intended to achieve efficient, accessible and responsive District Courts services that are trusted by the public.

     

Percentage of District Court Family - Care of Children Act applications resolved within 12 months

80% 76% 80%

Percentage of category 2 cases resolved within 3 months

82% 75% 75%

Number of District Court criminal cases (including youth) disposed

New measure New measure 123,000-138,000

Number of civil cases disposed

New measure New measure 16,000-19,000

Number of Family Court substantive applications disposed

New measure New measure 44,000-51,000

Number of calls received by the 0800 victims of crime information line

17,000-19,000 24,000 23,000-25,000

Percentage of calls received by the 0800 victims of crime information line answered within 30 seconds

New measure New measure 85%

Number of victims supported by Sexual Violence Court Victims advisors

1,800-2,000 1,600 1,800-2,000

Senior Courts Services

     

This category is intended to achieve efficient, accessible and responsive Senior Courts services that are trusted by the public.

     

Number of Supreme Court civil and criminal applications for leave to appeal and appeals disposed

155-280 195 130-260

Number of Court of Appeal civil and criminal appeals disposed

600-750 670 590-750

Number of High Court civil and criminal appeals disposed

1,300-1,600 1,465 1,300-1,600

Number of High Court civil and criminal cases disposed

2,100-2,720 2,500 2,200-2,800

Specialist Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services

     

This category is intended to achieve efficient, accessible and responsive specialist courts, tribunals and other authorities' services that are trusted by the public.

     
Accident Compensation Appeals District Court Registry (ACC DCR)
     

ACC DCR case disposal rate (number of cases disposed/number of cases received)

New measure New measure 100%
Alcohol Regulatory Licensing Authority
     

Percentage of appeals and enforcements resolved within 6 months

75% 75% 75%
Coronial Services Unit
     

Percentage of coronial cases on hand under 12 months old

70% 60% 70%

Number of coronial advice cases disposed

2,350-2,550 2,210 2,350-2,550

Number of coronial cases disposed

3,100-3,300 3,170 3,100-3,300
Disputes Tribunal
     

Number of Disputes Tribunal claims disposed

New measure New measure 12,800-14,000

Percentage of Disputes Tribunal claims disposed within 3 months

New measure New measure 75%
Employment Court
     

Number of Employment Court cases disposed

New measure New measure 150-180

Percentage of Employment Court cases on hand under 12 months old

75% 75% 75%
Environment Court
     

Number of Environment Court cases disposed

New measure New measure 250-350

Percentage of Environment Court cases on hand under 18 months old

75% 75% 75%
Human Rights Review Tribunal
     

Human Rights Review Tribunal case disposal rate (number of cases disposed/number of cases received)

New measure New measure 80%
Immigration and Protection Tribunal
     

Immigration and Protection Tribunal case disposal rate (number of cases disposed/number of cases received)

New measure New measure 80%
Legal Complaints Review Officer
     

Legal Complaints Review Officer case disposal rate (number of cases disposed/number of cases received)

New measure New measure 100%
Maori Land Court
     

Percentage of all Maori Land Court and Maori Appellate Court applications disposed within 12 months

New measure New measure 80%

Number of Maori Land Court and Maori Appellate Court applications disposed

New measure New measure 5,700-5,900
Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority
     

Percentage of uncontested applications issued within six weeks once all relevant documentation has been received by the authority

New measure New measure 50%
Tenancy Tribunal
     

Number of Tenancy Tribunal applications resolved

18,300-20,200 18,300-20,200 18,300-20,200
Waitangi Tribunal
     

Percentage of new claims processed within 30 days of receipt

90% 90% 90%

Percentage of urgent applications determined in 1 month of receipt of last submissions

New measure New measure 90%

Percentage of draft chapters completed within the timeframe set by the Tribunal panel and meets the Chief Historian's standard

90% 100% 90%

Percentage of commissioned researchers complete their reports to the Chief Historian's standard and by the judicially agreed filing dates

90% 100% 90%
End of Year Performance Reporting

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Ministry of Justice in its Annual Report.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives
Policy Initiative Year of
First
Impact
2017/18
Final Budgeted
$000
2018/19
Budget
$000
2019/20
Estimated
$000
2020/21
Estimated
$000
2021/22
Estimated
$000

Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services

           

Current Government

           
Ministry of Justice - Additional Investment 2018/19 - 622 1,465 1,994 2,239

Previous Government

           
Investing in Policing - Safe, Confident and Resilient Communities 2017/18 300 900 1,800 2,000 2,000
Share of costs for Budget 2015 whole-of-government initiatives 2015/16 (95) (80) (80) (80) (80)
Managing Ministry of Justice high priority initiatives 2015/16 122 122 122 122 122

District Court Services

           

Current Government

           
Ministry of Justice - Additional Investment 2018/19 - 2,806 6,609 8,994 10,101
Youth Justice - Including 17 Year Olds in The Youth Justice System and Managing Remand Pressures 2018/19 - 124 108 34 63

Previous Government

           
Investing in Policing - Safe, Confident and Resilient Communities 2017/18 1,000 3,000 6,000 11,000 11,000
Review of family violence legislation 2017/18 1,751 4,115 4,719 5,616 5,616
Justice Sector Fund - Alcohol and other drug treatments Courts 2017/18 210 210 - - -
Dunedin Courthouse - capital charge and depreciation 2016/17 1,465 2,126 2,126 2,126 2,126
Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 implementation 2016/17 200 200 200 200 200
Justice Sector Fund - Interventions to reduce family violence and sexual violence 2016/17 255 - - - -
Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct 2016/17 13,151 12,612 12,712 12,712 12,712
Share of costs for Budget 2015 whole-of-government initiatives 2015/16 (327) (270) (270) (270) (270)
Managing Ministry of Justice high priority initiatives 2015/16 849 849 849 849 849
Vulnerable Children Bill Implementation 2014/15 906 906 906 906 906

Senior Courts Services

           

Current Government

           
Ministry of Justice - Additional Investment 2018/19 - 784 1,845 2,512 2,820

Previous Government

           
Dunedin Courthouse - capital charge and depreciation 2016/17 91 133 133 133 133
Share of costs for Budget 2015 whole-of-government initiatives 2015/16 (107) (90) (90) (90) (90)
Managing Ministry of Justice high priority initiatives 2015/16 137 137 137 137 137

Specialist Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services

           

Current Government

           
Ministry of Justice - Additional Investment 2018/19 - 912 2,148 2,923 3,282
Canterbury Earthquakes Insurance Tribunal 2018/19 - 1,830 - - -

Previous Government

           
Dunedin Courthouse - capital charge and depreciation 2016/17 102 149 149 149 149
Share of costs for Budget 2015 whole-of-government initiatives 2015/16 (131) (110) (110) (110) (110)
Managing Ministry of Justice high priority initiatives 2015/16 167 167 167 167 167
Reasons for Change in Appropriation

Collection and Enforcement of Fines and Civil Debts Services

The decrease in this category of $4.308 million for 2018/19 is mainly due to:

  • a decrease of $5.415 million to allow for movements in the allocation of Ministry overheads.

Offset by:

  • an increase of $622,000 of additional funding to support the Ministry meet increase costs of remuneration, asset maintenance and on-going information and communications technology costs, and
  • an increase of $600,000 for the Safe, Confident and Resilient Communities: Investing in Policing initiative.

District Court Services

The increase in this category of $10.234 million for 2018/19 is mainly due to:

  • an increase of $6.806 million to support the Ministry meet increase costs of remuneration, asset maintenance and on-going information and communications technology costs
  • an increase of $3.294 million to provide additional security personnel across New Zealand's court system
  • an increase of $2.364 million for the review of the family violence legislation, and
  • an increase of $2 million funding received to work with other agencies on Safe, Confident and Resilient Communities: Investing in Policing.

Offset by:

  • additional $3.009 million received only for 2017/18 for the delay in practical completion of the Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct
  • one-off funding of $725,000 received in 2017/18 from Justice Sector Fund for improving the justice response to victims of sexual violence initiative, and
  • a decrease of $308,000 to allow for movements in the allocation of Ministry overheads.

Senior Courts Services

The increase in this category of $5.390 million for 2018/19 is mainly due to:

  • an increase of $4.981 million to allow for movements in the allocation of Ministry overheads, and
  • an increase of $279,000 to provide additional security personnel across New Zealand's court system.

Specialist Courts, Tribunals and Other Authorities Services

The increase in this category of $1.114 million for 2018/19 is mainly due to:

  • an increase of $1.830 million for the establishment and operation of a tribunal to resolve unsettled residential insurance disputes arising from the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.

Offset by:

  • additional $582,000 received only for 2017/18 for the delay in practical completion of the Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.