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268A: Mandatory participation in alternative dispute resolution processes
or “You must join in or send someone to help solve problems outside of court, unless the court says you don't have to.”
You could also call this:

“The Environment Court can decide how to run its cases, making sure they're fair, quick, and easy to understand for everyone.”

The Environment Court can decide how it wants to run its proceedings, as long as it’s not going against what the law says. The court needs to make sure its proceedings are done in a way that solves issues quickly and without spending too much money.

You don’t always have to follow strict rules in the Environment Court. Sometimes, the court can be less formal if it helps make things fair and efficient.

The Environment Court respects Māori customs and practices when it’s appropriate to do so.

If it helps to make things fair and efficient, the court can use things like phones or video calls in its proceedings. This includes when they have meetings under section 267.

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Next up: 270: Hearing matters together

or “Putting related cases together for a fair and efficient hearing”
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Part 11 Environment Court
Procedure and powers

269Court procedure

  1. Except as expressly provided in this Act, the Environment Court may regulate its own proceedings in such manner as it thinks fit.

  2. However, the Environment Court must regulate its proceedings in a manner that best promotes their timely and cost-effective resolution.

  3. Environment Court proceedings may be conducted without procedural formality where this is consistent with fairness and efficiency.

  4. The Environment Court shall recognise tikanga Maori where appropriate.

  5. The Environment Court may use or allow the use in any proceedings, or conference under section 267, of any telecommunication facility which will assist in the fair and efficient determination of the proceedings or conference.

Notes
  • Section 269 heading: amended, on , pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).
  • Section 269(1): amended, on , pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).
  • Section 269(1A): inserted, on , by section 44 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 63).
  • Section 269(2): amended, on , pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).
  • Section 269(3): amended, on , pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).
  • Section 269(4): amended, on , pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).