Solicitor-General v Radio New Zealand Ltd - [1994] 1 NZLR 48

Contempt of Court — Jury deliberations — Radio reporter interviewing jury members after verdict — Subsequent broadcast by defendant radio company — Whether contact with jurors contempt of Court — Whether broadcasting report of jurors' comments contempt of Court — Whether conduct undermining administration of justice — Need to protect jury system — Need for finality of jury verdicts — Need for candour and frankness of jury deliberations — Need for privacy of jurors — Whether proof of intention to interfere with administration of justice necessary — Standard of proof required — Balancing requirement of freedom of expression.

Constitutional law — New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 — Fundamental rights and freedoms — Freedom of speech — Whether right of freedom of speech qualified by need to preserve fundamental elements of jury system — New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, ss 4, 5, 6, 14 and 25.

Criminal practice and procedure — Juries — Disclosure of deliberations — Finality of verdict — Privacy of jurors — Candour and frankness of jury deliberations — Contempt in relation to questioning of jurors and broadcasting jurors' comments.