Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Resource Management Act 1991

Environment Court - Procedure and powers

269: Court procedure

You could also call this:

“How the Environment Court works to make fair and efficient decisions for you”

When you go to the Environment Court, it can decide how it wants to run its proceedings. The Environment Court must make sure its proceedings are done in a way that is fair and does not take too long or cost too much. It can also have proceedings without following lots of rules if that is fair and efficient.

The Environment Court can use things like phones or video calls to help make decisions if that is fair and efficient, for example, during a conference under section 267. You can expect the Environment Court to respect tikanga Maori when it is appropriate. The Environment Court wants to make sure everything is done in a way that is fair and efficient for you.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM237737.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Town planning Māori affairs > Treaty of Waitangi
Previous

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."

Next

270: Hearing matters together, or

"The Environment Court can hear multiple cases at the same time if they are related."

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).