Wellington, July 12 NZPA - Electoral law experts have told a parliamentary committee there should be a set date for elections, rather than the government in power deciding when they are held.

Wellington, June 30 NZPA - A bill to ban prison inmates from voting in general elections is unnecessary, unhealthy and undemocratic, a select committee was told today.

Wellington, June 2 NZPA - Labour will oppose a bill allowing for the greater use of audio video links in courts, saying it denies defendants their fundamental civil liberties.

Wellington, April 20 NZPA - A Whangarei barrister has been appointed a district court judge. Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced the appointment of Gerard Thomas Winter today.

Wellington, March 4 NZPA - Lawyer John Marshall, QC, has been appointed chief commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) for the next five years.

Wellington, Feb 25 NZPA - ANZ National Bank has joined the list of those concerned about aspects of a government bill giving police and other law enforcement agencies greater search and surveillance powers.

Wellington, Nov 27 NZPA - The New Zealand Law Society has welcomed today's damning review of legal aid which says a sea change is needed to fix the system.

By Paloma Migone for NZPA Wellington, Nov 27 NZPA - A review of legal aid has accused corrupt lawyers of exploiting the system for personal gain with plea delays and backhanded deals.

Wellington, Nov 27 NZPA - Recommendations from Dame Margaret Bazley's review of the legal aid system. * Disestablish The Legal Services Agency as a Crown entity and give its functions moved into the Ministry of Justice;

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Nov 27 NZPA - A damning review of legal aid says a sea change is needed to fix a system undermined by incompetent, unscrupulous and sometimes corrupt lawyers looking after their own interests.