Title | Author | Director | Genre | Year | Useful-ness | Themes | Summary | References | Publisher | Original Year |
| Bulibasha: King of the Gypsies | Ihimaera, Witi | | Novel | 1994 | 1 | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Racism of the law | Importance of jury | Perceptions of judges | Elitism of the law | Law as a tool of oppression | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Appearance of courtroom | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Law as a tool of oppression | | Novel set in small Maori community. About the rivalry between two Maori families which spans the 20th century.
The formality and officiousness of the court alienating Maori cf court scene in "Once Were Warriors". Culturally insensitive jury. Elite English manner of the legal profession. Trial as a spectacle. Judge as a hunter (gavel cf gun shot, conviction cf deer antlers): a hunting metaphor. Court as a vehicle for discrimination. | pp 185-191 | Penguin Books, Auckland | |
| Chemistry | Wilkins, Damien | | Novel | 2002 | 2 | Perceptions of lawyers | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Violence against women | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Appearance of courtroom | Speed of justice | Use of law to discover truth | Law in literature within law in literature | Novel with interlinking plots revolving around drugs. One character, Shane, murders a policeman. Murder trial begins on p 294 observed by Shane's girlfriend. Defence pleading temporary insanity. Female judge. Guilty verdict.
Novel also explores the issues of illegal drugs and domestic violence. Law in popular culture, reference to "Once Were Warriors" on p 283. | pp 270,281-286, 290, 294-295, 297-302 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Children of the Poor | Thompson, Mervyn | | Play | 1990 | 2 | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of judges | Law and religion | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | Routine of court procedure | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Sentencing issues | Youth and law | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | Criminal stigma | | Same storyline as novel as famous NZ novel by John A Lee.
(See Lee reference in database). | pp 82-98 | Hazard Press, Christchurch | |
| Coal Flat | Pearson, Bill | | Novel | 1963 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Law and religion | Court procedure | Cause celebre trials | Conducting own defence | Law as entertainment/ drama | Perceptions of judges | Role of the media | Youth and law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Natural law | Alienation from the legal system- working class | Use of law to discover truth | Importance of advocacy | Ethics | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Witnesses | Importance of jury | Adversarial nature of the legal system | | To do with a trial on the West Coast - A man has been accused of sexually abusing a student - He is a teacher - He is innocent and is found not guilty.
Lawyer's obligation to accept client. Examination in chief. Cross examination. Innocent man "gets off". | pp 323-326, 328-344, 346-353, 397-401, 409-410 | Paul's Book Arcade, Auckland | |
| Danger Zone | Shadbolt, Maurice | | Novel | 1975 | 2 | Perceptions of lawyers | Appearance of courtroom | International law | Politics and law | Stereotypical tasks of a lawyer | Law in literature within law in literature | Use of trial as dramatic construct | | Men sail to Mururoa Atoll to protest French Nuclear testing.
Activist lawyer. Actual boring routine of being a lawyer. Expectations of lawyers- knowing how to argue. Character involved in a courtroom scene. | pp 2-3, 13, 20-21, 41, 69, 143, 148-149, 159, 168 | Hodder & Stoughton, Auckland | |
| Daughters of Heaven | Forster, Michelanne | | Play | 1992 | 1 | Role of the media | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Court procedure | Perceptions of lawyers | Perceptions of judges | Ethics | Importance of advocacy | Law as a game | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Natural law | Use of law to discover truth | Witnesses | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Necessity of confessions | Cause celebre trials | | About the infamous trial of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme, who murdered Juliet's mother in 1954. Scene 12= cross examination of Juliet's mother by the Crown Prosecutor. Cross examination of expert witnesses.
Role of media in swaying jury. "Objectivity of British Justice". Courtroom as a dramatic structure setting the context for each flashback scene. Insanity defence. Law and morlaity "I know we've broken the law, but morally we are without fault". Rule of law- all are equal under the law. Judge's prejudiced against homosexuality. Criminal standard of proof- beyond reasonable doubt. Immutability of the law "But the law is the law. Like God is God. You can't remake the universe to suit yourself. The universe is, and you fit into it". | pp 7, 10-11, 17-19, 27, 30, 34, 39, 49-50, 53-5, 60, 63, 65, 67, 70-80 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Echoes of my Sisters | Alexander, Vonnie | | Novel | 1996 | 4 | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Sentencing issues | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Appearance of courtroom | Role of the media | Trial scene - Told from perspective of female partner observing trial - Theft of drugs - Preliminary hearing in courtroom - Bill is found guilty - Doctor is friend who stole drugs to help Bill - Sentenced to 18 months imprisonment | pp 163-165 | Quoin Press, Christchurch | |
| Enemy Territory | Sandys, Elspeth | | Novel | 1997 | 1 | Law and religion | Role of the media | Appearance of courtroom | Court procedure | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | Land issues | Legal jargon | Perceptions of judges | Perceptions of lawyers | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Importance of advocacy | Witnesses | Law school | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Importance of jury | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Racism of the law | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Public/ admin law | Legal history | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Perceptions of law firms | Elitism of the law | Parental pressure to go into law | Legal ramifications of divorce | Distrust of the legal system | Use of law to discover truth | | Colonial trial - land dispute between Maori and Pakeha - about a male lawyer, from an upper class family, father who is a lawyer, with high expectations for his son - He marries, has a child, his wife finds an alternative lifestyle includingdrugs and adultery. The couple divorce and a court custody battle ensues. The estranged wife comes into her own, cleans up her act, and re-opens a case from early NZ legal history in which she believes a man was wrongly sentenced to death. She enlists the help of a Maori lawyer and the man is acquitted posthumously. The estranged couple get back together and it ends happily.
Ethics- lawyers have to take cases even if they don't like the client. Dickensian characters. Use of dramatic means to persuade. Advocacy issues (negligence cf "The Dream of Nikau Jam"). Vulture nature of the media in court hearings. Religious imagery in courthouse. Language barriers in court. Court as harsh and unwelcoming. Judge as lead actor, registrar and typist as supporting actors, jury as audience, media as Greek chorus, title of drama Grieve vs Grieve, lawyers as players, Bible as prop, stage as judge's podium. Legal fees. | pp 3-23, 55, 72-73, 77, 88, 125, 147, 192-193, 217-218, 228, 231, 234, 237-240, 299, 308-311, 313-317, 321-326, 332, 339, 347, 357, 363 | Sceptre (Hodder & Stoughton), London | |
| Erebus: The Aftermath | McGee, Greg | Sharp, Peter | TV mini-series | 1987 | 1 | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of judges | Politics and law | Powerful judges | Importance of due process | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Use of law to discover truth | Routine of court procedure | Public/ admin law | Witnesses | Justice | | Focus on the legal and political aftermath of the Erebus crash, in particular the Royal Commission of Inquiry lead by Justice Mahon into the cause of the crash. Mahon finds Air NZ responsible and accuses their management of participating in "an orchestrated litany of lies". Number of scenes involving the lawyer in the inquiry committee room. Examples of cross examination eg. the head of Air NZ. Court of Appeal and Privy Council scenes. Number of key legal figures portrayed eg. Ted Thomas, George Barton, Lord Diplock, David Baragwanath, Sir Owen Woodhouse, Robert Muldoon.
Top lawyers defending Air NZ. Judicial autonomy- Constitution Act 1986. Danger of breaking ranks in the legal profession, principles of natural justice (judicial review), appeal to Privy Council. | | TVNZ | |
| First Offender | Berry, Ken | | Novel | 1980 | 2 | Importance of advocacy | Access to justice | Court procedure | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | Corruption in the legal system | Perceptions of lawyers | Legal jargon | Sentencing issues | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Adversarial nature of the legal system | | Trial scene - Stereotypical white collar criminal who is miserable, rich, white - Misappropriation - Trying to buy justice | pp 8-11 | William Collins Publishers, Auckland | |
| Fools on the Hill, The | Lay, Graeme | | Novel | 1998 | 2 | Law students | Importance of Advocacy | Perceptions of judges | Conducting own defence | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Perceptions of lawyers | Sentencing issues | Politics and law | | Students are arrested for minor offence and a law student gets them acquitted - Trial scene where the law student is now a lawyer defending someone on a charge of obscenity.
Diversion. | pp 150-159,228-229 | Century Hutchinson New Zealand, Auckland | |
| Hanlon | Catran, Ken | Tourell, Wayne | TV mini-series | 1995 | 1 | Importance of advocacy | Court procedure | Racism of the law | Witnesses | Patriarchal system vs feminism | Politics and law | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Perceptions of lawyers | Appearance of courtroom | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Importance of jury | Cause celebre trials | Public vs private life of lawyers | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Perceptions of judges | Use of law to discover truth | Adversarial nature of the legal system | | Based on the legal career of high profile late 19th Century-early 20th Century barrister Alfred Hanlon. Each episode deals with a high profile case in which Hanlon was the defence lawyer for eg. Minnie Dean. Set in Dunedin. Episode 1: In Defence of Minnie Dean. Episode 2: In Defence of Hugh Sweeney. Episode 3: In Defence of Clements. Episode 4: In Defence of Thomas Caradoc Kerry. Episode 5: In Defence of Stott and Bramley. Episode 6: In Defence of Shue Hock. Episode 7: In Defence. Features a number of leading legal personalities from the era including Justice Williams, Ethel Benjamin, Richard Seddon, Charles Skerritt, Justice Edwards. Has a balance between scenes involving Hanlon's personal life, court room scenes and scenes in his offices.
Difference between law and morality. Discrimination against Chinese. | | | |
| "Jean and Richard" in A Fantasy Passing Through and other plays | Thompson, Mervyn | | Play | 1992 | 4 | Use of trial as dramatic construct | The use of law for humorous effect | | Aviator Richard Pearse on trial for willful detention of sheep - theatre of the absurd.
The trial as a dramatic forum for someone to tell 'their story'. | pp 104, 124-125, 128 | Hazard Press, Christchurch | |
| "Judge Holds Sway in Abeyance with the Clown, The" in Beads | Riddell, R.G. | | Poetry | 1975 | 3 | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | Personification of 'The Law' | Law as a game | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Perceptions of lawyers | | Abstract poem about law. | p 56 | Parnassus Press, Auckland | |
| "Justice Advances the Cause of the People" in A Red Mole Sketchbook | Brunton, Alan | | Play | 1989 | 3 | Hypocrisy of law | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Alienation from the legal system- working class | Routine of court procedure | Role of the media | | Court scene in which a woman is on trial - Theatre of the Absurd/Kafka-esque dramaturgy - Send-up of legal procedure - Woman found guilty - No reasons for decision - Prosecution also implicated | pp 32-42 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| K Road | Dawe, Ted | | Novel | 2005 | 2 | Perceptions of judges | Witnesses | Appearance of courtroom | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Importance of advocacy | Role of the media | Sentencing issues | | Story about the Auckland underworld set on K Road. Characters get in trouble with the law. One main character is a court room journalist and observes a trial of a school principal on charges of downloading child pornography. Features character Roger King QC who is a powerful figure providing assistance when people get in trouble. Chapter 12 is an entire court room scene. | pp 45, 76-78, 104, 119, 171. | Longacre Press, Dunedin | |
| Little Country, The | Guthrie, John | | Novel | 1937 | 2 | Appearance of courtroom | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Witnesses | Legal jargon | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Court procedure | Politics and law | The use of law for humorous effect | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Perceptions of judges | | Court Trial - Humourous account of a case about a man jumping from the public gallery onto a judge - Case is dismissed after lengthy argument
Cross examination- lawyer manipulating words. Using court to settle personal vendettas. | pp 256-273 | Thomas Nelson and Sons, London | |
| Mark II | Manuel, Mitchell, Walker, Mike | Anderson, John | Feature Film | 1986 | 3 | Importance of advocacy | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Man alone on the run from the law | Perceptions of lawyers | Corruption in the legal system | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Youth and law | | Eddie, Kingi and Matthew go on a roadtrip. They get chased by drug dealers. Kingi is caught by police and charged with possession of hard drugs. Eddie is provoked by his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend and gets charged with assault. Eddie's girlfriend's father hires a lawyer and he is freed. There is a court scene at 63 mins.
"You're young, you've got a brown face and the odds are that you will end up in court". | 56, 59, 61, 63, 65, 66, 67 mins | TVNZ | |
| Masks & Shadows | Riddell, Michael | | Novel | 2000 | 2 | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of jury | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Use of law to discover truth | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Legal ramifications of divorce | Routine of court procedure | | Comprehensive trial scene.
Image of prosecutor as boring and rigid. | pp 130-131, 172-175 | Flamingo, Auckland | |
| Moonshine | Wilson, Helen | | Novel | 1956 | 2 | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Speed of justice | Cause celebre trials | Public gallery as audience | Perceptions of lawyers | Perceptions of judges | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Importance of advocacy | Use of trial as dramatic construct | | About a high profile murder trial - One of the accused turns Queen's witness | pp 146-148, 151-152 | Paul's Book Arcade, Hamilton | |
| Objection Overruled | Burns, Carolyn | | Play | 1985 | 1 | Importance of advocacy | Legal jargon | Appearance of courtroom | The use of law for humorous effect | Law and religion | Women in law | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Law as a tool of oppression | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Feminism vs patriarchal system | Perceptions of lawyers | Perceptions of judges | Routine of court procedure | Common man facing the law | | An absurdist play about a trial of a white, middle class, conventional male, who is accused of "living". Features a traditional courtroom with traditional court procedures jumbled up. Different witnesses from the accused's life are examined and cross examined. The audience acts as a jury at the end and gets to decide the fate of the accused. Entire play takes place in a court room.
The difference between rights and law. Kafkaesque court room. Law delving into people's private lives and exposing secrets. The metaphor of the cage. Society as represented by the court, constraining women's expectations ie. fill the role of wife and mother. The public spectacle of a trial. Farcical nature of law (absurdist play). The law reflecting ideals and limitations of middle class white men. | pp 7,8-85 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| On River Road | Else, Chris | | Novel | 2004 | 2 | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Law in literature within law in literature | Perceptions of lawyers | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Elitism of the law | Distrust of the legal system | Court procedure | Ethics | Importance of advocacy | Witnesses | Use of law to discover truth | | Group of friends. Daughter of one of the couples is killed in a car accident. One of the main characters, Larry, is a criminal lawyer. Successfully argues provocation for his client who is then charged with manslaughter. Discusses legal ethics.
"There's no truth in a court of law. There's only evidence. And evidence is a story told by a witness". Literary obsession with criminal law. "The Law is literature". Lawyer manipulating a statute (eg. s169 of the Crimes Act, provocation). Importance of client confidentiality. | pp 22-23, 31, 58, 103, 109-110, 138, 145, 243, 254-255, 272-275, 318 | Random House, Auckland | |
| Once Were Warriors | based on the novel by Duff, Alan screenplay by Brown, Riwia | Tamahori, Lee | Feature Film | 1994 | 1 | Absence of law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Violence against women | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Vigilantism as justice | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Criminal stigma | Routine of court procedure | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Appearance of courtroom | Law as ineffective | Youth and law | Perceptions of judges | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | | Set in South Auckland, portrays a dysfunctional Maori family with a violent father. Court room scene (30 mins) involves one of the sons before the Youth Court on charges of burglary. He is sent to social welfare care and changes his ways after discovering his Maori heritage cf Jake who is detached from his Maori heritage and continues to replicate the cycle of violence. The movie portrays a lawless South Auckland where the police are unable to enforce the law.
Inability of justice system to prevent domestic violence. At 30 mins police car is overtaken dangerously by a gang car but is powerless to do anything. | 3, 9, 11, 12, 15, 20, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 39, 61 mins | Communicado | |
| Other Halves | McCauley, Sue, from her novel "Other Halves" | Laing, John | Feature Film | 1984 | 2 | Alienation of Pacific Islanders from the legal system | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of lawyers | Absence of law | Role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Elitism of the law | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Appearance of courtroom | Plight of the underdog in the legal system | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | | Focuses on the relationship between a middle class, 32 year old woman and a teenage street kid, Tug. Tug appears in court twice.
Arrogant aloofness of the legal profession. | | Orringham Ltd | |
| Other Halves | McCauley, Sue | | Novel | 1982 | 1 | Appearance of courtroom | Court procedure | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Youth and law | Speed of justice | Law as a game | Perceptions of judges | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of lawyers | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Racism of the law | Access to justice | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Elitism of the law | Ignorance of the law | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Legal ramifications of divorce | Law as ineffective | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | | Older women has relationship with young Maori street kid - he gets into trouble with the law - goes to court- he gets off, provided he continues to live with her as his 'guardian'
Comments on court's physical appearance (likened to Dickens). Disorganisation of court procedure. Rich can afford justice. Difficulty of extracting truth in the legal process. Human element in law as an advantage. Rich lawyer vs poor litigant (power gap). Bias by Magistrate in criminal trials towards police and prosecution (from viewpoint of defendant). Disadvantages that ignorance of court procedure brings. Perception of lawyers as useless in determining an outcome. | pp 74-77,98-104,120-121,128-129,130-133,160-181 | Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, Auckland | |
| Parihaka | Hinchcliff, John | | Novel | 2004 | 1 | Appearance of courtroom | Law as a tool of oppression | Injustice | Treaty criticism/ issues | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Perceptions of lawyers | Elitism of the law | Politics and law | Separation of powers | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Importance of jury | Perceptions of judges | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Corruption in the legal system | Racism of the law | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Distrust of the legal system | Absence of law | Legal history | Land issues | | Detailed comprehensive story leading up to and at Parihaka. There is a scene in Parliament where politicians are debating the Maori Prisoners' Act (based on Hansard). Trial of the Maori fencers.
Lack of respect from Pakeha for Maori Customary law. Representatives of the law as educated and pompous. Oppressive legislation eg. Maori Prisoners' Trials Act. Link between NZ and English constitutions eg. Magna Carta. Breach of Habeas Corpus "the Hon William Stewart calmly reminded the House of the Habeas Corpus Act, an imperial statute which he said he assumed to be in force in the colony". "In the Magna Carta it is laid down most distinctly that justice should not be sold or delayed". | pp 24-5, 74, 96-7, 122-3, 148-9, 154-59, 198-200, 202-217, 219-20, 222-23, 273-75, 312, 323-329, 331-34, 346-7. | Steele Roberts, Wellington | |
| Season of the Jew | Shadbolt, Maurice | | Novel | 1988 | 1 | Legal history | Speed of justice | Law and religion | Perceptions of judges | Importance of advocacy | Witnesses | Manipulation of court system and jury | Vigilantism as justice | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of lawyers in times of grief | Distrust of the legal system | Hypocrisy of law | Frustration with the legal system | Law as a tool of oppression | Inflexibility of the legal system | Law as route to power | Sentencing issues | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Importance of jury | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Politics and law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Appearance of courtroom | Difference between civilian law and martial law | Unforgiving nature of martial law | Injustice | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Ignorance of the law | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Racism of the law | Routine of court procedure | | About Te Kooti and his campaign on the East Coast during the 1860s - Ends with the trial of Hamiora Pere on the charge of treason (Chapter 33).
Readiness to lie in court. Appearances important (decide the day). Manipulation of evidence and argument. Legal strategy. Prendergast as a 'devious monster'. | pp 42, 83, 94, 106-107, 111, 141, 303, 389, 432-435, 438, 442, 444-445, 447-467 not exhaustive | Hodder & Stoughton, London | |
| Shadow of the Valley, The | Eakin, Thelma & Batlye, Susan | | Play | 1980 | 1 | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Urban vs rural lawyers | Elitism of the law | Corruption in the legal system | Witnesses | Routine of court procedure | Importance of advocacy | Use of law to discover truth | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Importance of jury | | Court of Royal Commission of enquiry into BrunnerMine disasters. Trial scene, inquisitorial approach, cross-examination of witnesses, miners lose, company absolved. Supreme Court trial in Hokitika, miners try again- miners win after first hung jury. | pp 46-71 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Shadow of the Valley, The | Battye, Susan & Eakin Thelma | | Play | 1980 | 1 | Alienation from the legal system- working class | Urban vs rural lawyers | Elitism of the law | Corruption in the legal system | Witnesses | Routine of court procedure | Importance of advocacy | Use of law to discover truth | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Perceptions of lawyers | | Trial scene in Supreme Court at Hokitika - Brunner mine disaster 1896 - Royal Commission of Enquiry - Company is trying to avoid fault - Found to be negligent - Issues of compensation
Court of Royal Commission of Enquiry into Brunner Mine disaster. Trial scene, inquistiorial approach, cross-examination of witnesses, miners lose, company absolved. Supreme Court trial in Hokitika, Miners try again, miners win after first hung jury. | pp 46-71 | Oxford University Press, Wellington | |
| "Songs to the Judges" in Selected Plays | Thompson, Mervyn | | Play | 1984 | 1 | Legal history | Treaty criticism/ issues | Land issues | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Tino Rangatiratanga | Racism of the law | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Perceptions of lawyers | Legal jargon | Perceptions of judges | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | Judge as God | Powerful judges | Distrust of the legal system | Injustice | Hypocrisy of law | Law as a tool of oppression | Corruption in the legal system | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Law as a game | | Collection of songs about Maori and the law directed at the New Zealand Judiciary. Satirical.
1) Ahi Kaa - Lack of recognition of traditional Maori concepts of land ownership 2) The Law Song- oppressive nature of subsequent land statutes, insensitive racist judiciary. 6) We got it all together just for you - injustice of invasion of Parihaka, use of arbitrary law, injustice of arresting Rua Kenana. 9) The Raglan golf course dispute - the court's lack of respect for Maori customs, rigidness of the Pakeha legal system, court in favour of the Pakeha elite. 10) Once in a generation - Pakeha legal system backed up by force eg Parihaka and Bastion Point "Once in a generation the gavel turns into a gun" 12) Three times more likely - Maori discriminated against by the criminal justice system. 14) Scales of Justice - Lack of empathy towards Maori from Pakeha judge 15) I spit on your court - conflict between Maori and Pakeha legal system, lack of respect for Maori by New Zealand legal system. 16) The Judge's Reply - Law as a protector of "civilisation" | pp 154-185 | Pilgrims South Press, Dunedin | |
| Street Legal | McGee, Greg | Bailey, Chris | TV mini-series | | 1 | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Perceptions of lawyers | Role of police in the criminal justice system | Role of the media | Court procedure | Law and religion | Importance of jury | Ethics | Corruption in the legal system | Parental pressure to go into law | Youth and law | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Man alone on the run from the law | Vigilantism as justice | Witnesses | Manipulation of court system and jury | Common man facing the law | Clients | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Criminal stigma | Law students | Elitism of the law | Sentencing issues | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Appearance of courtroom | Arrest procedure | Importance of due process | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Necessity of confessions | Public vs private life of lawyers | Importance of lawyers in times of grief | Perceptions of judges | Frustration with the legal system | Distrust of the legal system | Coercive power of the law | Legal ramifications of divorce | The way lawyers view the law | Importance of advocacy | Legal jargon | Eccentric lawyer stereotype | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Racism of the law | Access to justice | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Feminism vs Patriarchal system | Violence against women | | "Street Legal" is New Zealand's most popular legal drama, running for four seasons. The television series concentrates upon the career of David Silesi, a Samoan lawyer in Auckland. Silesi is always involved in interesting and bizarre cases, acting for underdog clients. Taking on these cases often involves Selesi in romances, shoot-outs, car chases and punch-ups. A large segment of the show is set in Silesi's chambers, providing the viewing public with one perspective of a lawyer's working day. While Silesi's office is no ordinary one, it is a more accurate reflection of the reality for most lawyers than trial scenes.
Mentoring of junior solicitors. Drug law. The role of the Law Society. Law and religion for eg. withholding of medical treatment on religious grounds. Client confidentiality. Law practice politics and judicial corruption. | 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 mins 2 episode | Screenworks | |
| "Towards the Mountain" in Phoebe C. Meikle (ed) Short Stories by New Zealanders | Duggan, Maurice | | Short Story | 1970 | 2 | Perceptions of judges | Inquisitorial approach | Judge as face of the law | Youth and law | Property law | Use of trial as dramatic construct | | About 3 young people who appear in a Magistrates Court for trespass to land. The Judge impresses upon them the seriousness of what they have done and discharges them. Judge conducts the hearing using a disputes tribunal approach.
Stereotypical image of a judge as stern and grey. Informal nature of youth justice court procedures. | pp 105-9 | Longman Paul, Auckland | |
| Until Proven Innocent | Malane, Donna with Boock, Paula | Burger, Peter | Television movie | 2009 | 1 | Women in law | Violence against women | Importance of advocacy | Importance of jury | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Role of the media | Perceptions of judges | Witnesses | Corruption in the legal system | Criminal stigma | Appearance of courtroom | Perceptions of lawyers | Frustration with the legal system | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Distrust of the legal system | Injustice | Plight of the underdog in the legal system | Public pressure on justice system can affect change | Role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Suffering of victims of crime | | Based on the story of David Dougherty who was wrongfully convicted of raping an eleven year old girl. Case turned on DNA evidence which eventually proved that Dougherty was innocent. Dougherty's case is taken up by a lawyer and a journalist. Dougherty is found guilty in the first trial and loses the appeal but then is aquitted in a retrial when new DNA evidence surfaces. Shows the various trials including the Court of Appeal.
Miscarriage of justice. Nature of appeal process- ruthless nature of cross examination- complete failure of a justice system convicting an innocent man cf "Beyond Reasonable Doubt"- fallibility of expert witnesses- interpretation of term "until proven innocent"- importance of petition to the Governor General- the controversial nature of child witness evidence cf Peter Ellis case- gruelling nature of court process for rape victims- hero lawyer. | 1, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 16, 19, 22, 26, 28, 34, 38, 44, 49, 54, 62, 64, 71, 76, 78, 82 mins | Lippy Pictures | |
| Waitmate Conspiracy, The | Lewis, Stefen | Lewis, Stefen | Feature Film | 2006 | 1 | Injustice | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Importance of advocacy | Corruption in the legal system | Perceptions of judges | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Perceptions of lawyers | Land issues | Treaty criticism/ issues | Distrust of the legal system | Law students | Court procedure | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Ethnocentrism | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Legal history | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Ethics | | Features the Kepa family's ongoing legal battle to regain their tribal land which was unlawfully stolen in 1866. Zena, a law graduate takes on the task to represent the Kepa family. They claim that the land was seized in an act of aggression. Important court scenes showing the legal battle against the McKendrie family who occupies the land. In the first court scene Zena tries to argue using hearsay evidence which ultimately fails. When appealing they argue on historical documented evidence which they had manufactured and forged. The Kepa family win the legal battle. The title of ownership is transferred immediately. One of only two representations of Maori lawyers in NZ feature film. Numerous discussions about the admissibility of evidence. Focuses on legal ethics.
Young Maori lawyer fighting for her people. Stereotypical stern older white male judge. Controversial nature of Maori land claims cf "Crooked Earth". Rookie lawyer triumphs over experienced lawyer cf Grisham, misrepresentation of land claim settlement process. Reference to specific act Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975. Difficulty in cross examining history in a court cf Waitangi Tribunal. Rejection of Maori oral history as evidence. Planting of evidence to win case cf "Beyond Reasonable Doubt". | 3, 5, 12, 24, 25, 27, 31, 37, 39, 40, 48, 54, 60, 78, 79, 83, 85 mins | Dark Horse and Hazard Press | |