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287: Reference of questions of law to High Court
or “The Environment Court can ask the High Court to help answer tricky law questions that come up during a case.”
You could also call this:

“People who speak or help at special court meetings are protected like they are in regular court”

When you are a witness or a lawyer appearing before the Environment Court, you have the same rights and protections as you would have if you were in the District Court. This means that you can speak freely and honestly without worrying about getting into trouble for what you say. It’s like having a special shield that protects you while you’re helping the court understand what happened.

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Next up: 288A: Information regarding reserved judgments

or “The head judge must share details about how to check on delayed court decisions and how many there are.”
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Part 11 Environment Court
Procedure and powers

288Privileges and immunities

  1. Witnesses and counsel appearing before the Environment Court have the same privileges and immunities as they have when they appear in the same capacity in proceedings in the District Court.

Notes
  • Section 288: amended, on , by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
  • Section 288: amended, on , pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).