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Independent Court reports services

Providing expert psychological and s 27 background and cultural reports for offenders before sentencing 

PURPOSE

To recalibrate the scales of justice by helping to create the most equitable sentencing outcomes. 

We achieve our purpose by assembling one of the largest teams of the most qualified report writers in New Zealand, and by offering our services on a pro bono basis to those most in need, in order to bring about meaningful change by giving a voice to those in need. 

We provide comprehensive training of the highest calibre to our culturally diverse team. All of our reports undergo rigorous quality control procedures. We also offer a seven-day turnaround urgent service.

We offer the most efficient service in preparing the most compelling psychological and s 27 reports in New Zealand. 

Offender interviewing ​| Report writing ​| Seven-day turnaround urgent service ​|

 ​| Nationwide service

Industry Insights

The Legal Services Amendment Bill received Royal assent on 7 March 2024, and became the Legal Services Amendment Act 2024. The Act came into force on Friday 22 March 2024.

Section 4 of the Act amended section 99 of the Legal Services Act 2011 by inserting:

"(ca) any claim to the extent to which it is for a disbursement incurred in relation to a report or statement (whether oral or written) of a person called by an offender under section 27 of the Sentencing Act 2002; and"

The effect of the above is that the Legal Services Commissioner will no longer be able to fund section 27 reports through Legal Aid. 

We are committed to making a meaningful impact in the criminal justice system. In light of the above inequitable legislative change, we will provide s 27 reports to legal aid funded defendants completely free of charge (subject only to our pro bono capacity)!​ Cost should not be a barrier for access to justice. Please get in touch with us below.

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Why choose us

Cultural sensitivity and competence

Our report writers possess the appropriate skill and knowledge specific to various cultures and have the capacity to meaningfully communicate in cultural settings other than their own. We utilise cues gathered from subtle cultural variation in our clients' beliefs and activities to improve cross-cultural communication. We appreciate the values, beliefs and norms characteristic of all cultural and ethnic groups and attune our behaviour accordingly. 

Quality assurance

Our reports undergo rigorous quality assurance procedures that ensures the final report is semantically and substantively immaculate. 

Balancing offenders' rights with victims' rights

A reliable report produced by best practices in psychological interviewing methodologies ensures the authenticity of the reports. It captures compelling narratives while reducing uncorroborated and speculative narratives. This results in the most equitable sentencing outcomes that reduces offenders' sentences while upholding victims' rights. 

Our team

Our report writers possess the appropriate skill and knowledge specific to various cultures and have the capacity to meaningfully communicate in cultural settings other than their own.  

Parallel Lines
... ingrained, systemic poverty resulting from loss of land, language, culture, rangatiratanga, mana and dignity are matters that may be regarded in a proper case to have impaired choice and diminished moral culpability. Where these constraints are shown to contribute causatively to offending ... they will require consideration in sentencing.

Zhang v R [2019] NZCA 507 at [159]. NZ Court of Appeal

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