Glossary

registrar

An officer of the court who is responsible for keeping records relating to proceedings in the court but who also exercises some judicial powers.

registrar's list

A list of cases that have issues, usually relating to procedure, that are dealt with by a registrar.

remand

To put someone in custody or let them go on bail during an adjournment of a court case. This only happens for serious offences that mean the person might go to prison.

reparation

Money that the defendant has to pay as compensation. The money is to help put right what the victim suffered because of the offence.

respondent

The person against whom an application is made.

restitution

Returning someone's property to them. A Judge can make an order for restitution if a person admits the charge against them (or if the charge has been proven) and the criminal offence is serious.

rule

A procedural law relating to the way cases are considered by a court.

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security

A sum of money held by the court until its decision.

self-represented litigant (litigant in person)

A party who is not represented by a lawyer.

serve/service (of documents)

The formal delivery of a document (for example, an application) to a person who will be affected by it. There are rules about service of documents (for example, service may have to be personal rather than by post or fax).

setting down

Deciding the date on which a matter will have a hearing.

settlement

Reaching agreement on a dispute without having a defended hearing or before a defended hearing has been concluded.

specialist report

A report from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other medical professional.

statute

See Act.

submission

Argument that is presented to the court in support of an application.

summary offence

Case heard by a Judge (but no jury) in a District Court. A purely summary offence means that the offender doesn't have a right to be tried by a jury. But some summary offences are "triable indictably", which means the defendant can choose trial by jury. Summary offences are usually less serious and get less serious punishments. They may iinclude dangerous driving, breach of periodic detention, or cannabis possession.

summons

A document telling someone they must appear in court on a particular day. If they don't appear after getting a summons, the court can punish them or issue a bench warrant to arrest them so they have to appear. A witness who ignores a summons to appear in court for a case where a crime has been committed might be sent to prison.

Supreme Court

The highest court in New Zealand.

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testator

A person who makes a will.

timetable

A list of dates by when directions must be carried out.

try/trial

Usually refers to cases heard in court by both a Judge and a jury.

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