Ministry of Justice

The defence of David Bain cost more than $3 million in legal aid, the highest for an individual in New Zealand.

A Dunedin man says he was horrified to receive a letter this month from the Ministry of Justice asking if he wanted back a sample of blood taken from his wife's body when she died four years ago.

A group of Clutha residents fighting to keep court services in Balclutha is frustrated with a lack of response from the Ministry of Justice about a temporary court venue.

The Oamaru and Balclutha courthouses will be closed, possibly for the next year, while remedial earthquake strengthening work is carried out, and the Dunedin courthouse is being assessed to see if it needs work.

Courts and police staff checked 144 vehicles and seized four cars during an operation targeting unpaid fines in Dunedin last Friday.

Nearly 66% of convicted offenders in Otago have paid the new offender levy aimed at funding entitlements and services for victims of violent crime.

A Ministry of Justice proposal to move provincial court collection units to cities could threaten jobs and leave regions deprived of locally experienced bailiffs and fines staff.

Lesley and Gil Elliott respond to columnist Chris Trotter's article on the Justice Reform Bill.

The reason behind Minister of Justice Simon Power's intention to review the law regarding the "claim of right" defence is probably a concern that it could lead to the defence being raised in cases of targeted vandalism.

A new safety rating system for state highways will provide important information for drivers, Transport Minister Steven Joyce says.