Chapter 3

Basic constitutional principles and values of New Zealand law

This is a single section from Chapter 3. Read the full chapter here.

Part 1.7

Retrospective laws

Legislation should not affect existing rights and should not criminalise or punish conduct that was not punishable at the time it was committed.

The presumption against retrospectivity: The general rule is that legislation should have prospective, not retrospective, effect (see Chapter 11).