By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, July 16 NZPA - Over 200 people asked to do jury duty last year had a good excuse for not attending court -- they were dead.

Wellington, July 15 NZPA - There were 61 mistrials last year, but no records are kept of how many of those went to a new hearing.

Wellington, June 21 NZPA - Chief Censor Bill Hastings has been appointed a District Court judge and will head the new Immigration and Protection Tribunal, Attorney-General Chris Finlayson announced today.

Wellington, May 5 NZPA - Five Norwegian tourists would face charges over the shooting of protected kereru while in New Zealand in January, if they decide to return to the country.

Wellington, May 5 NZPA - Charges will be laid against five Norwegian hunters who shot and killed protected kereru pigeons while on a visit to New Zealand in January, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said today.

Wellington, April 15 NZPA - Nelson solicitor Raymond Glen Marshall has been appointed a District Court judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today. He will be sworn in on April 23 and will sit in Hamilton.

Wellington, March 18 NZPA - Parliament has passed legislation that increases the maximum number of District Court, Associate High Court and Court of Appeal judges. Attorney-General Chris Finlayson said it would help alleviate delays in the criminal and civil justice systems.

Wellington, Feb 26 NZPA - Internet New Zealand has welcomed a new bill changing copyright laws but says the penalty of suspending a user's account for breaches won't work. On Tuesday, Commerce Minister Simon Power introduced a bill repealing Section 92A of the Copyright Act.

Wellington, Dec 3 NZPA - Convenience stores won't be able to masquerade as groceries and get liquor licences after a landmark ruling by the Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA), says Labour's justice spokeswoman Lianne Dalziel.

Wellington, Nov 28 NZPA - Justice Minister Simon Power will go to a cabinet meeting on Monday with a plan to fix serious and deep-seated problems in the legal aid system. A shock review report issued yesterday revealed it was in crisis.