Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Criminal Procedure Act 2011

Summary of changes

These summaries explain recent changes to the law. They are generated by AI comparing versions of the legislation, so they might oversimplify, miss details, or get things wrong. Learn more about how we track these changes.

1 February 2026

  • Amendments have been made to provisions related to court proceedings before trial or transfer for trial, including the types of orders that can be dealt with and the suppression of identities in certain cases
  • Updates have been made to references to external Acts, specifically the Land Transport Act 1998, to ensure accuracy and consistency
  • New transitional, savings, and related provisions have been inserted to support the implementation of the Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Act 2025

Affected provisions

  1. 1AA: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
    New transitional, savings, and related provisions have been inserted to support the implementation of the Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Act 2025
  2. 35: Court dealing with proceeding before trial or transfer for trial: categories 1 to 3
    Amendments have been made to provisions related to court proceedings before trial or transfer for trial, including the types of orders that can be dealt with and the suppression of identities in certain cases
  3. 200: Court may suppress identity of defendant
    Amendments have been made to provisions related to court proceedings before trial or transfer for trial, including the types of orders that can be dealt with and the suppression of identities in certain cases
  4. 201: Automatic suppression of identity of defendant in specified sexual cases
    Amendments have been made to provisions related to court proceedings before trial or transfer for trial, including the types of orders that can be dealt with and the suppression of identities in certain cases
  5. 203: Automatic suppression of identity of complainant in sexual cases
    Amendments have been made to provisions related to court proceedings before trial or transfer for trial, including the types of orders that can be dealt with and the suppression of identities in certain cases
  6. 358: Power to impose penalties provided for in Land Transport Act 1998
    Updates have been made to references to external Acts, specifically the Land Transport Act 1998, to ensure accuracy and consistency

10 January 2026

  • The court's process for suppressing a defendant's identity in sexual offence cases has been updated with additional requirements and considerations
  • Protections for complainants' identities and privacy in sexual cases have been expanded and strengthened
  • A reference to the Land Transport Act 1998 has been updated for accuracy

Affected provisions

  1. 200: Court may suppress identity of defendant
    The court's process for suppressing a defendant's identity in sexual offence cases has been updated with additional requirements and considerations
  2. 201: Automatic suppression of identity of defendant in specified sexual cases
    The court's process for suppressing a defendant's identity in sexual offence cases has been updated with additional requirements and considerations; Protections for complainants' identities and privacy in sexual cases have been expanded and strengthened
  3. 203: Automatic suppression of identity of complainant in sexual cases
    Protections for complainants' identities and privacy in sexual cases have been expanded and strengthened
  4. 358: Power to impose penalties provided for in Land Transport Act 1998
    A reference to the Land Transport Act 1998 has been updated for accuracy