3Purposes

1. The principal purposes of this Act are to—

2. promote and facilitate the administration of justice and uphold the rule of law; and
3. maintain and enhance public confidence in the judicial system; and
4. reform the law of contempt of court.

5. For those purposes, this Act enables courts to make certain orders and impose certain sanctions so that—

6. civil and criminal court proceedings are heard and determined fairly by independent and impartial Judges; and
7. jury verdicts are based only on facts admitted or proved by properly adduced evidence after free, frank, and confidential jury discussions, and the finality of verdicts is protected; and
8. individual cases are heard and determined in a manner that is expeditious, efficient, and consistent with the principles of justice and the rule of law; and
9. except in proceedings where the law restricts access to the court or restricts the reporting of proceedings (such as proceedings in the Family Court or the Youth Court) or in unusual circumstances, proceedings are open to the public and news media; and
10. orders made by the courts are enforceable; and
11. the independence, integrity, impartiality, and authority of the judiciary are protected.

12. In reforming the law of contempt of court in New Zealand, this Act—

13. abolishes the common law contempts of—
    1. contempt in the face of the court; and
    2. publishing information that interferes with a fair trial; and
    3. jurors researching information relevant to the trial; and
    4. disclosing juror deliberations; and
    5. disobeying court orders; and
    6. scandalising the court; but
14. preserves the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court to punish for contempt of court in circumstances where this Act does not apply.