Judicial review cases update key points
Two recent judicial review cases provide helpful guidance on the
scope of the ground of unreasonableness and on powers of search and
seizure. The first is the very public and controversial challenge
to the decision by the Department of Corrections to refuse Scott
Watson an interview with a journalist. The second case arose from
an investigation into alleged dumping of quota by a fishing
company.
Court finds Department unreasonable to deny Watson
interview
Watson v Chief Executive of the Department of
Corrections [2015] NZHC 1227 is one of the rare cases decided
solely on the reasonableness ground. Scott Watson, convicted of the
murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope in 1999, requested the
interview in order to air his views that he is a victim of a
miscarriage of justice. The Chief Executive refused the request. Mr
Watson applied for judicial review.
