In June 2013, the current Rules of the Supreme Court will be
replaced by new Rules of Civil Procedure
("CPR"). The primary objective of the CPR is to secure
the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of court
proceedings and applications.
Under the Supreme Court Act ("Act") a Rules
Committee is established. The Rules Committee is headed by
the Chief Justice and has authority to make rules of court for the
purpose of giving effect to the Act, and for regulating and
prescribing the practice and procedure of the Court in all matters,
whether civil or criminal, and whether within its original or
appellate jurisdiction. It is the Rules Committee that will
promulgate the CPR.
The current Rules were promulgated in 1978 and were
based on the English Rules of Civil Procedure 1976.
The CPR has been influenced by progressive features of the court
rules of other Commonwealth jurisdictions, most notably those of
New Zealand.
