Long waits for decisions

By PHIL TAYLOR

Delays of up to 10 months in delivering Human Rights Review Tribunal decisions are still occurring despite a pay rise to $300,000 for the part-time chairman to clear a backlog.

Auckland barrister Royden Hindle chairs the tribunal, which recently awarded a prisoner $1200 compensation for hurt feelings.

Mr Hindle's pay was increased from $600 a day to $200 an hour in December 2002. He was paid $293,800 in fees and $5273 in allowances and reimbursements in the year to August 30, for what officials said was two-thirds of a fulltime job.

Although a backlog of cases awaiting hearing has been cleared, parties are having to wait many months for decisions.

As of last month four reserved decisions were awaited from cases heard seven to 10 months ago.