The Timely Justice Action Plan focuses on improving how criminal cases progress through the District Court. It aims to reduce delays and backlogs, make each event meaningful, and support fair and timely outcomes for everyone involved. The success of the Action Plan relies on strong collaboration across the justice sector, as timely access to justice can only be achieved through coordinated effort.
Since early 2024, the justice sector has made steady progress in moving cases through the courts more efficiently, reducing existing backlogs and preventing new ones from forming. As of October 2025, 83% of criminal cases in the District Court were disposed of within agreed timeframes, up from 81% earlier in the year. This improvement marks a clear shift in performance, especially given earlier projections of a decline to 77% by 2027. Instead, all indicators now show progress in the right direction.
During October, the Minister for Courts, Hon Nicole McKee further reinforced this progress, noting that “much of this can be put down to a whole of justice sector approach, with multiple agencies and the judiciary working together to deliver timely access to justice. There is more work to be done, but this progress is a sign that our approach is working”.
Initiatives supporting this momentum include the Judge-Alone Trial Protocol (TJAP), Case Review Best Practice Guidelines, and strengthened Police Prosecution Services. The sector remains on track to reach 90% timeliness by 2027, with further improvement expected through 2026.
The Remote Participation sector programme is designed to make it easier for people involved in criminal cases to take part in court proceedings via audio-visual link instead of attending in person. The aim is to ensure fair and effective participation by providing access to suitable technology, legal advice, and appropriate facilities. Judges will continue to determine whether remote participation is appropriate for each case.
Since the programme launched, agencies have worked together to strengthen services and increase uptake. Delivery is being phased, starting with targeted improvements in high-volume Auckland metro locations. Early results are promising. Uptake has increased, and the judicial protocols for remote participation in court are being implemented to support consistent practice. Strengthened data collection is helping agencies identify where improvements are most needed.
The next phase will focus on embedding service improvements beyond the initial locations and identifying sector-wide opportunities for longer-term investment and planning.
The Ministry of Justice has completed a first principles review of the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010. The Act will be replaced by a new high-level enabling Act, supported by Court Rules that set out which court events will default to remote participation and which will remain in person. This will provide greater certainty and consistency across courts.