Suppression rules tightened from today

File photo / NZ Herald

Celebrities and sports stars will find it harder to get name suppression from today as new court rules come into effect.

The Criminal Procedure Act, passed last October and in effect from today, follows public outcry over judges granting name suppression to high-profile people before the court, including celebrities and sports stars.

The new rules make it clear that name suppression will not be granted solely on the grounds of "wealth, reputation or public awareness".

Justice Minister Judith Collins said the provisions represented a substantial reform to criminal procedure.

"Grounds for granting name suppression weren't always clear, and could be granted too easily and inconsistently - the Criminal Procedure Act changes this. It sets out a clear set of criteria for the courts to use when deciding whether suppression is appropriate or not," she said.

"Previously defendants could be granted name suppression in situations where publication of their name may have resulted in 'undue' hardship to them or others. The test for granting name suppression has now been raised to 'extreme' hardship."

Ms Collins said there would be no presumption that a defendant's prominence would constitute extreme hardship.

"The principle of 'open justice' is fundamental to our justice system and there is no reason for a defendant to get name suppression simply because they are famous," she said.

Automatic name suppression would still apply to victims of sexual offending, defendants in cases of incest or sexual conduct with a dependent family member, and child witnesses.

Other changes in the law include extending the District Court practice of giving sentencing indications to the High Court; enabling courts to impose bail conditions that would ensure cases progressed in a timely manner; and allowing trials to continue with 10 of 12 jurors by giving judges the discretion to continue a hearing where it was in the "interests of justice".