This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

Arms Bill

Further offences and firearms prohibition orders - Provisions relating to offences

283: Liability of principals and agents

You could also call this:

"Who is responsible when someone does something wrong at work?"

If someone breaks the law as an agent or employee of another person, you need to know who is responsible. You are responsible if you told someone to do something wrong or you knew it was happening and did not stop it. This does not mean the person who actually did the wrong thing is not responsible too.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1534035.

This page was last updated on 8 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Work and jobs > Worker rightsCrime and justice > Criminal law

282: Time for prosecutions not limited, or

"You can be charged with a crime at any time if you break the Arms Bill rules."

284: Offences committed by corporations, or

"What happens when a company breaks the law and the punishment is prison time"

Part 6Further offences and firearms prohibition orders
Provisions relating to offences

283Liability of principals and agents

This section applies if an offence is committed against this Act or any regulation by a person (A) acting as the agent or employee of another person (B).
B is liable for the offence as if B had personally committed it, if it is proved that B—
authorised, permitted, or consented to the act or omission constituting the offence; or
knew the offence was, or was to be, committed and failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent or stop it.

This section does not limit the liability of A.