If you are found guilty of a crime, you can appeal against the sentence you receive, unless the sentence is one that is fixed by law. You appeal to the first appeal court, which is the court that hears your appeal first. If you are found guilty of contempt of court, you must appeal under a different part of the law, which is called subpart 5.

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This page was last updated on 29 June 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3360419.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Courts and legal helpCrime and justice > Criminal law

243: Further appeal from determination of second appeal by Court of Appeal, or

"Asking the Supreme Court to review a Court of Appeal decision"

245: Right of appeal against sentence not affected by sentence indication, or

"You can still appeal a sentence, even if you got a sentence indication beforehand."

Part 6Appeals
Appeals against sentence: First appeals

244Convicted person's right of appeal against sentence

A person convicted of an offence may appeal under this subpart to the first appeal court against the sentence imposed for that offence, unless the sentence is one fixed by law.
An appeal by a person against a sentence imposed on finding the person guilty of a contempt of court must be brought under subpart 5.

Compare

1957 No 87 s 115(2), (2A)
1961 No 43 s 383(1)(b)