Public Law Toolbox Chambers

The Public Law Toolbox is a book that Mai Chen wrote in two editions (1st ed 2012, 2nd ed 2014) about problem solving for clients through the many tools that are available to solve public law problems. Litigation is one tool of many but of course there are many others, whether you are a public or private entity, a regulator or being subjected to regulation, the key to understanding the best tool to use requires an in-depth understanding of how the Government really works. 

A lot of how the New Zealand Government really works is not written down, yet such knowledge is critical in a democracy, and it is particularly important for Māori, as dealing with the Crown requires an understanding and mastery of public policy and legislation. It is also helpful to those in Government to understand their unique responsibilities and vulnerabilities.

Public law of course backs into so many other specialist areas of the law but the focus of these chambers is always at the interface between public law and that other law specialty whether it be commercial law, employment law, property or criminal prosecution by regulators and white collar crime.

Public Law Toolbox Chambers concerns problem solving, “upstream” in policy making, law drafting and making submissions to influence law making and the select committee process, as well as those who specialise “downstream” in judicial reviews and declaratory judgments when litigation has necessarily become a last resort. The reach of public law also include issues in Te Ao Maori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the NZ Bill of Rights Act, discrimination and Royal Commissions, reviews and inquiries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Law Tools Include:

  • Litigation

  • Judicial review

  • Inquiries and investigations

  • Waitangi Tribunal

  • Privacy Commissioner

  • Ombudsman

  • Office of the Auditor-General

  • Access to information law

  • Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

  • Human Rights Review Tribunal

  • Health and Disability Commissioner

  • Independent Police Conduct Authority

  • Regulations Review Committee

  • Judicial Conduct Commissioner

  • Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security

  • Regulation of professions

  • Fraud and corruption agencies

  • Business regulators