About the show
High profile defence lawyer Greg King has a huge passion for the
law, but just as much frustration with coverage of legal and
justice issues.
"Public debate is usually driven by emotion and uninformed comment,
and is centred on blaming people rather than understanding the
underlying principles of law," he says. "Often people simply don't
know what the law says, and why, and that has a huge effect on the
level of the debate."
The Court Report will change all that. A new weekly series on TVNZ
7, The Court Report is a current affairs programme focused entirely
on the laws that keep New Zealand running, the cases that should be
making news and precedents that are being set.
As host, King brings his infamous style, intellect and wry humour
to a topic that affects all Kiwis but isn't often discussed
comprehensively or intelligently.
"Generally, media coverage of court and the law in New Zealand
usually reduces issues down to black and white, victim versus
criminal, all compressed into short soundbites. The people who know
what they're talking about don't ever speak out, they think it's a
waste of time," says King.
The Court Report is a studio based commentary programme in which
high profile lawyers, their adversaries, law makers and key players
discuss the hottest justice issues and court cases from the week.
In co-operation with the Law School at the Victoria University of
Wellington, the show is to be filmed in front of a live audience in
the Law School itself.
Kings says there are no shortage of issues in criminal, civil and
public law. David Bain wants compensation. Iwi leaders want
customary title to the foreshore and seabed. John Barlow wants
parole. The Law Commission wants a major overhaul of privacy law.
Susan Couch is suing the Crown.
King is a barrister who has weathered the storm of public
indignation by defending many famous (and infamous) clients
including murderers Clayton Weatherston, John Barlow and Bruce
Howse. Now he brings the public an insider's view.
With his own network of contacts and background knowledge, the
audience will get to hear from those on the frontline of our
justice system. The Court Report goes behind the scenes to explain
how our laws work and why, demystifying the world of our
legislation and making it relevant to New Zealanders' lives.
Produced by Wellington production company The Gibson Group,
executive producer Gary Scott says The Court Report is a natural
fit for TVNZ 7. "It is a channel with a great reputation for
intelligent discussion, it's the perfect forum for a show that
addresses a topic that impacts on all our lives and that New
Zealanders feel so passionately about", says Scott.
"And the Law School, in the beautiful Old Government buildings
couldn't be a more perfect venue. Not only is it one of our most
important historic buildings where some of the country's first laws
were written, it sits between the Supreme Court, the Appeal Court
and Parliament itself."
"In other words" says Scott, "The Court Report is being recorded
smack in the middle of legal power in this country."
Click here
to read more about
Greg King.
