The Citation of Overseas Authority in Rights Litigation in New Zealand: How Much Bark? How Much Bite?
Allan, J., Huscroft, G., & Lynch, N. (2007). The citation of overseas authority in rights litigation in New Zealand: How much bark? How much bite?. Otago Law Review, 11(3), 433-467.
Victoria University of Wellington Legal Research Paper No. 99/2020
18 Pages Posted: 3 Nov 2017 Last revised: 6 Dec 2020
There are 2 versions of this paper
The Citation of Overseas Authority in Rights Litigation in New Zealand: How Much Bark? How Much Bite?
The Citation of Overseas Authority in Rights Litigation in New Zealand: How Much Bark? How Much Bite?
Date Written: 2007
Abstract
This paper is concerned with the common law-like system of rule making in regard to rights and freedoms under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. It is particularly concerned with citation by New Zealand Judges of the decisions of overseas judges interpreting and applying overseas bills of rights. It is found that overseas authority is not used in a principled or systematic way be New Zealand courts in interpreting the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. In light of this, the paper concludes that New Zealand courts should be more skeptical of overseas authority than they appear to be, and be prompted to ask pertinent questions around foreign authority when it comes to rights-based internationalism.
Keywords: Human Rights, Overseas Authority, New Zealand, Statutory Interpretation
JEL Classification: K00, K10
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation