Mediating Multiple Lines of Accountability in the Kiwifruit Case

49 Pages Posted: 17 Nov 2019

See all articles by Alice Coppard

Alice Coppard

Victoria University of Wellington, Faculty of Law, Student/Alumni

Date Written: November 11, 2019

Abstract

Strathboss Kiwifruit Ltd v Attorney-General (Kiwifruit) held the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) liable in negligence for the Psa3 incursion. In this paper I consider the role of Kiwifruit in holding MAF to account for the incursion and how this interacts with public law lines of accountability. The experience of Kiwifruit demonstrates that, in recognising that a duty of care is owed by the government in tort, courts should ask themselves two questions. First, whether accountability has already been achieved. And secondly, if accountability has already been achieved, whether imposing multiple lines of accountability will complement each other or risk creating a dysfunctional accumulation of accountability mechanisms. This would give proper regard to the role that tort is able to play in holding the government to account and would serve to recognise the unique nature of the government as a litigant.

Keywords: Strathboss Kiwifruit Ltd v Attorney-General, negligence, accountability

JEL Classification: K00

Suggested Citation

Coppard, Alice, Mediating Multiple Lines of Accountability in the Kiwifruit Case (November 11, 2019). Victoria University of Wellington Legal Research Paper, Student/Alumni Paper No. 33/2019, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3485286 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3485286

Alice Coppard (Contact Author)

Victoria University of Wellington, Faculty of Law, Student/Alumni ( email )

PO Box 600
Wellington, Victoria 6140
New Zealand

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
37
Abstract Views
301
PlumX Metrics