Different courts for different cases

Judges and judicial officers work in a wide range of courts.

Here are some websites with information about the court that deals with matters that relate to your situation as a victim of crime.

District Court - criminal and civil cases.

High Court - serious criminal cases, major civil cases and appeals from the Family Court.

Coroner’s Court - examines the circumstances of a person’s death if the death has been violent, unnatural, without a known cause, or has been by suicide.

The Court of Appeal in Wellington hears cases from the High Court and District Courts.

The Supreme Court in Wellington hears appeals from the Court of Appeal

Family Court - disputes for marriage dissolution, custody, access, and other child welfare issues.

Youth Court - cases for people aged between 14 to 18 years who have been charged with a criminal offence. This court oversees the Family Group Conference process.

Civil Court - disputes over business contracts or debts, or disputes between neighbours, or debt recovery.

Employment Court - employment disputes.

Environment Court - issues arising from the Resource Management Act 1991.

Maori Land Court - where people who own or have an interest in Māori land can interact about its  current and future use, ownership, occupation and/or management of Māori land.

Disputes Tribunal - not technically a court and is quicker, cheaper, and less formal than court. It is regularly used by New Zealanders to settle small claims of up to $30,000.