Formats and related files
APPROPRIATION MINISTER(S): Attorney-General (M5)
APPROPRIATION ADMINISTRATOR: Crown Law Office
RESPONSIBLE MINISTER FOR CROWN LAW OFFICE: Attorney-General
Overview of the Vote#
The Attorney-General is responsible for appropriations in the Vote for the 2017/18 financial year covering the following:
- a total of just over $22 million for the provision of legal advice and representation services to central government departments and Crown agencies on a full cost-recovery basis
- a total of $627,000 for departmental capital expenditure, and
- a total of nearly $48 million to provide for the discharge of the Law Officers' constitutional and criminal law responsibilities, including conducting appeals arising from Crown prosecutions; developing the collective capability, effectiveness and efficiency of government lawyers; providing assistance to the Principal Law Officers in the exercise of their functions; and the provision and supervision of a national Crown prosecution service.
Details of these appropriations are set out in Parts 2-4.
Details of Appropriations and Capital Injections#
Annual and Permanent Appropriations#
2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Titles and Scopes of Appropriations by Appropriation Type | Final Budgeted $000 | Estimated Actual $000 | Budget $000 |
Departmental Output Expenses | |||
Legal Advice and Representation (M5)Providing legal advice and representation services to central government departments and Crown agencies. | 22,344 | 18,500 | 22,337 |
Total Departmental Output Expenses | 22,344 | 18,500 | 22,337 |
Departmental Capital Expenditure | |||
Crown Law Office - Capital Expenditure PLA (M5)This appropriation is limited to the purchase or development of assets by and for the use of the Crown Law Office, as authorised by section 24(1) of the Public Finance Act 1989. | 843 | 843 | 627 |
Total Departmental Capital Expenditure | 843 | 843 | 627 |
Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure | |||
Law Officer Functions MCA (M5)The overarching purpose of this appropriation is to provide for the discharge of the Law Officers' constitutional and criminal law responsibilities. | 47,741 | 47,741 | 47,945 |
Departmental Output Expenses | |||
Conduct of Criminal Appeals from Crown ProsecutionsThis category is limited to conducting appeals arising from Crown prosecutions. | 3,281 | 3,281 | 3,278 |
Government Legal NetworkThis category is limited to developing the collective capability, effectiveness and efficiency of government lawyers. | 985 | 985 | 985 |
Law Officer Constitutional and Criminal Law DutiesThis category is limited to providing assistance to the Principal Law Officers in the exercise of their functions, and providing advice on constitutional, criminal law, mutual assistance and extradition matters. | 4,553 | 4,553 | 4,760 |
Public Prosecution ServicesThis category is limited to the provision and supervision of a national Crown prosecution service and oversight of public prosecutions. | 38,922 | 38,922 | 38,922 |
Total Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure | 47,741 | 47,741 | 47,945 |
Total Annual and Permanent Appropriations | 70,928 | 67,084 | 70,909 |
Capital Injection Authorisations#
2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Final Budgeted $000 | Estimated Actual $000 | Budget $000 | |
Crown Law Office - Capital Injection (M5) | - | - | - |
Supporting Information#
Part 1 - Vote as a Whole#
This part provides trend information for the vote.
1.2 - Trends in the Vote#
Summary of Financial Activity#
2012/13 | 2013/14 | 2014/15 | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Actual $000 | Actual $000 | Actual $000 | Actual $000 | Final Budgeted $000 | Estimated Actual $000 | Departmental Transactions Budget $000 | Non- Departmental Transactions Budget $000 | Total Budget $000 | Estimated $000 | Estimated $000 | Estimated $000 | |
Appropriations | ||||||||||||
Output Expenses | 19,794 | 16,601 | 15,346 | 18,235 | 22,344 | 18,500 | 22,337 | - | 22,337 | 22,337 | 22,337 | 22,337 |
Benefits or Related Expenses | - | - | - | - | - | - | N/A | - | - | - | - | - |
Borrowing Expenses | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Other Expenses | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Capital Expenditure | 3,352 | 452 | 95 | 276 | 843 | 843 | 627 | - | 627 | 533 | 3,826 | 587 |
Intelligence and Security Department Expenses and Capital Expenditure | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | N/A | - | - | - | - |
Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure (MCA) | ||||||||||||
Output Expenses | 47,978 | 42,910 | 41,358 | 42,639 | 47,741 | 47,741 | 47,945 | - | 47,945 | 47,746 | 47,988 | 47,554 |
Other Expenses | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Capital Expenditure | - | - | - | - | - | - | N/A | - | - | - | - | - |
Total Appropriations | 71,124 | 59,963 | 56,799 | 61,150 | 70,928 | 67,084 | 70,909 | - | 70,909 | 70,616 | 74,151 | 70,478 |
Crown Revenue and Capital Receipts | ||||||||||||
Tax Revenue | - | - | - | - | - | - | N/A | - | - | - | - | - |
Non-Tax Revenue | - | - | - | - | - | - | N/A | - | - | - | - | - |
Capital Receipts | - | - | - | - | - | - | N/A | - | - | - | - | - |
Total Crown Revenue and Capital Receipts | - | - | - | - | - | - | N/A | - | - | - | - | - |
Note - where restructuring of the vote has occurred then, to the extent practicable, prior years information has been restated as if the restructuring had occurred before the beginning of the period covered. In this instance Total Appropriations for the Budgeted and Estimated Actual year may not equal Total Appropriations in the Details of Appropriations and Capital Injections.
1.3 - Analysis of Significant Trends#
The decrease in the multi-category appropriation for 2013/14 and subsequent years reflects the adoption of a new fee model to provide sustainable Crown prosecution services since 2013/14.
The increase in the multi-category appropriation for 2016/17 and subsequent years reflects the permanent establishment of the Government Legal Network from 1 July 2016, and the adoption of a sustainable fee model for Crown prosecution services.
Part 2 - Details of Departmental Appropriations#
2.1 - Departmental Output Expenses#
Legal Advice and Representation (M5)
Scope of Appropriation
Expenses and Revenue
2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Final Budgeted $000 | Estimated Actual $000 | Budget $000 | |
Total Appropriation | 22,344 | 18,500 | 22,337 |
Revenue from the Crown | - | - | - |
Revenue from Others | 22,344 | 18,500 | 22,337 |
What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation
This appropriation is intended to achieve the reduction of legal risks to the Crown through protecting the Crown's interests and ensuring any risks are well managed.
How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements
2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Assessment of Performance | Final Budgeted Standard | Estimated Actual | Budget Standard |
Quantity | |||
New Matters | |||
Advice | 380 - 425 | 410 | 380 - 425 |
Litigation | 350 - 400 | 380 | 350 - 400 |
Judicial review | 90 - 125 | 115 | 90 - 125 |
Claims filed with the Waitangi Tribunal | 25 - 50 | 50 | 25 - 50 |
Quality | |||
Client survey respondents consider Crown Law's overall advice and services are good or excellent | 85% | 90% | 90% |
Client survey respondents describe Crown Law's responsiveness and the clarity, accuracy and robustness of its legal advice as good or excellent | 85% | 90% | 90% |
Written advice and opinion peer reviewed | 80% | 80% | 80% |
Timeliness | |||
Client survey respondents consider Crown Law's timeliness is good or excellent | 85% | 80% | 85% |
Written opinions and advice completed by the due date | 85% | 80% | 85% |
Litigation Management Plans completed by the due date | 80% | 80% | 80% |
Value for Money | |||
Client survey respondents describe Crown Law's services as value for money | 85% | 90% | 95% |
End of Year Performance Reporting
Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Crown Law Office in the Annual Report.
Current and Past Policy Initiatives
Policy Initiative | Year of First Impact | 2016/17 Final Budgeted $000 | 2017/18 Budget $000 | 2018/19 Estimated $000 | 2019/20 Estimated $000 | 2020/21 Estimated $000 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Change in capital charge rate from 8% to 7% | 2016/17 | (15) | (15) | (15) | (15) | (15) |
Change in capital charge rate from 7% to 6% | 2016/17 | (6) | (13) | (13) | (13) | (13) |
Memorandum Account
2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Final Budgeted $000 | Estimated Actual $000 | Budget $000 | |
Legal Advice and Representation | |||
Opening Balance at 1 July | 723 | 970 | 1,038 |
Revenue | 22,365 | 18,500 | 22,365 |
Expenses | (22,365) | (18,500) | (22,365) |
Transfers and Adjustments | - | 68 | - |
Closing Balance at 30 June | 723 | 1,038 | 1,038 |
2.3 - Departmental Capital Expenditure and Capital Injections#
Crown Law Office - Capital Expenditure PLA (M5)#
Scope of Appropriation
Capital Expenditure
2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Final Budgeted $000 | Estimated Actual $000 | Budget $000 | |
Forests/Agricultural | - | - | - |
Land | - | - | - |
Property, Plant and Equipment | 690 | 690 | 487 |
Intangibles | 153 | 153 | 140 |
Other | - | - | - |
Total Appropriation | 843 | 843 | 627 |
What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation
This appropriation is intended to achieve the renewal and replacement of life-expired assets in support of the delivery of the Crown Law Office's services.
How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements
Expenditure is in accordance with the department's capital asset management intentions in order to maintain service levels.
End of Year Performance Reporting
Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Crown Law Office in the Annual Report.
Reasons for Change in Appropriation
The decrease in this appropriation for 2017/18 is mainly due to the lower level of computer hardware equipment purchases.
Capital Injections and Movements in Departmental Net Assets
Crown Law Office
Details of Net Asset Schedule | 2016/17 Estimated Actual $000 | 2017/18 Projected $000 | Explanation of Projected Movements in 2017/18 |
---|---|---|---|
Opening Balance | 3,140 | 3,140 | |
Capital Injections | - | - | |
Capital Withdrawals | - | - | |
Surplus to be Retained (Deficit Incurred) | - | - | |
Other Movements | - | - | |
Closing Balance | 3,140 | 3,140 |
Part 4 - Details of Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure#
Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure#
Law Officer Functions (M5)
Overarching Purpose Statement
Scope of Appropriation
Departmental Output Expenses
Conduct of Criminal Appeals from Crown ProsecutionsThis category is limited to conducting appeals arising from Crown prosecutions.
Government Legal Network
This category is limited to developing the collective capability, effectiveness and efficiency of government lawyers.
Law Officer Constitutional and Criminal Law Duties
This category is limited to providing assistance to the Principal Law Officers in the exercise of their functions, and providing advice on constitutional, criminal law, mutual assistance and extradition matters.
Public Prosecution Services
This category is limited to the provision and supervision of a national Crown prosecution service and oversight of public prosecutions.
Expenses, Revenue and Capital Expenditure
2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Final Budgeted $000 | Estimated Actual $000 | Budget $000 | |
Total Appropriation | 47,741 | 47,741 | 47,945 |
Departmental Output Expenses | |||
Conduct of Criminal Appeals from Crown Prosecutions | 3,281 | 3,281 | 3,278 |
Government Legal Network | 985 | 985 | 985 |
Law Officer Constitutional and Criminal Law Duties | 4,553 | 4,553 | 4,760 |
Public Prosecution Services | 38,922 | 38,922 | 38,922 |
Funding for Departmental Output Expenses | |||
Revenue from the Crown | 47,359 | 47,359 | 47,356 |
Conduct of Criminal Appeals from Crown Prosecutions | 3,281 | 3,281 | 3,278 |
Government Legal Network | 885 | 885 | 885 |
Law Officer Constitutional and Criminal Law Duties | 4,271 | 4,271 | 4,271 |
Public Prosecution Services | 38,922 | 38,922 | 38,922 |
Revenue from Others | 382 | 382 | 589 |
Government Legal Network | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Law Officer Constitutional and Criminal Law Duties | 282 | 282 | 489 |
What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation
This appropriation is intended to achieve safer communities, reduced impact of crime, the maintenance of strong institutions, related justice sector outcomes, and increased trust in justice system through the performance of the Principal Law Officers' constitutional and other duties.
How Performance will be Assessed for this Appropriation
2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Assessment of Performance | Final Budgeted Standard | Estimated Actual | Budget Standard |
Quality | |||
Attorney-General's responses to a questionnaire about service provided by Crown Law are good or excellent, greater than: | 90% | 90% | 90% |
Performance for this appropriation will be assessed in more detail against the service delivery measures for each individual category within the appropriation.
What is Intended to be Achieved with each Category and How Performance will be Assessed
2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Assessment of Performance | Final Budgeted Standard | Estimated Actual | Budget Standard |
Departmental Output Expenses | |||
Conduct of Criminal Appeals from Crown Prosecutions | |||
This category is intended to achieve safer communities, reduced impact of crime and related justice sector outcomes. | |||
Quantity | |||
New cases | |||
Crown appeals | 15 - 30 | 30 | 15 - 30 |
Accused appeals | 550 - 600 | 620 | 550 - 600 |
Quality | |||
Success Rate | |||
Appeals brought by the Crown concluded in favour of the Crown | 60% | 60% | 60% |
Government Legal Network | |||
This category is intended to enable the Crown to improve the value generated from the collective resources of the Government Legal Network. | |||
Quantity | |||
Number of individual CPD-compliant hours delivered annually to the GLN lawyers | 2,650 | 3,200 | 3,500 |
Number of reports submitted to the Attorney-General under the GLN Legal Risk Reporting System | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Quality | |||
Chief Legal Advisors are satisfied or very satisfied with GLN team engagement and communications | 80% | 80% | 80% |
Lawyers registered on GLN Online are satisfied or very satisfied with GLN activities and opportunities for participation | 70% | 70% | 70% |
The Attorney-General is satisfied with the GLN Legal Risk Reporting System | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Law Officer Constitutional and Criminal Law Duties | |||
This category is intended to achieve increased trust in the justice system through the performance of the Principal Law Officers' constitutional and other duties. | |||
Quantity | |||
New Matters | |||
Applications processed on behalf of the Attorney-General | 30 - 60 | 40 | 30 - 60 |
Advice on behalf of the Attorney-General | 100 - 150 | 175 | 100 - 150 |
Litigation on behalf of the Law Officers (Attorney-General and/or Solicitor-General) | 5 - 10 | 5 | 5 - 10 |
Criminal advice | 10 - 35 | 15 | 10 - 35 |
Judicial reviews | 2 - 5 | 2 | 2 - 5 |
Mutual assistance and extraditions | 60 - 100 | 90 | 60 - 100 |
Criminal cases (other types) | 40 - 60 | 30 | 40 - 60 |
Requests for prosecution appeals and judicial reviews | 40 - 90 | 105 | 40 - 90 |
Timeliness | |||
Ministerial correspondence on time | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Responses to Parliamentary questions on time | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Official Information Act and Privacy Act responses on time | 100% | 96% | 100% |
Public Prosecution Services | |||
This category is intended to achieve safer communities, reduced impact of crime and related justice sector outcomes. | |||
Quantity | |||
New Crown prosecutions including appeals to the High Court from non-Crown prosecutions | 4,500 - 5,500 | 4,511 | 4,500 - 5,500 |
Crown prosecutions, including appeals to the High Court from non-Crown prosecutions, disposed of | 4,500 - 5,000 | 4,984 | 4,500 - 5,000 |
Hours of service provided | 207,000 - 212,000 | 201,021 | 207,000 - 212,000 |
Number of quality assurance reviews (full network is reviewed on rotation every three years) | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Quality | |||
Reviews, quality assessed as exceeding or meeting expected standards | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Improvement recommendations implemented within timeframes set. greater than: | 90% | 90% | 90% |
End of Year Performance Reporting
Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Crown Law Office in the Annual Report.
Current and Past Policy Initiatives
Policy Initiative | Year of First Impact | 2016/17 Final Budgeted $000 | 2017/18 Budget $000 | 2018/19 Estimated $000 | 2019/20 Estimated $000 | 2020/21 Estimated $000 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conduct of Criminal Appeals from Crown Prosecutions | ||||||
Change in Capital Charge Rate from 7% to 6% | 2016/17 | (4) | (7) | (7) | (7) | (7) |
Government Legal Network | ||||||
Permanent establishment of the Government Legal Network | 2016/17 | 885 | 885 | 885 | 885 | 885 |
Law Officer Constitutional and Criminal Law Duties | ||||||
Change in Capital Charge Rate from 8% to 7% | 2016/17 | (6) | (6) | (6) | (6) | (6) |
Share of costs for Budget 2015 whole-of-Government initiatives | 2015/16 | (85) | (85) | (85) | (85) | (85) |
Public Prosecution Services | ||||||
Increased funding to sustain Crown prosecution services | 2016/17 | 4,922 | 4,922 | 4,922 | 4,922 | 4,922 |
Reasons for Change in Appropriation
The increase in this appropriation for 2017/18 is mainly due to an increase of $207,000, funded by departmental revenue from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the 2017/18 Basic Level Pacific Islands Law Officers' Network (PILON) Litigation Skills Programme. The programme is facilitated and managed by Crown Law.
Memorandum Account
2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Final Budgeted $000 | Estimated Actual $000 | Budget $000 | |
Processing of Queen's Counsel Applications | |||
Opening Balance at 1 July | 34 | 40 | 40 |
Revenue | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Expenses | (50) | (50) | (50) |
Transfers and Adjustments | - | - | - |
Closing Balance at 30 June | 34 | 40 | 40 |
Government Legal Network | |||
Opening Balance at 1 July | 61 | 68 | - |
Revenue | - | - | - |
Expenses | - | - | - |
Transfers and Adjustments | (61) | (68) | - |
Closing Balance at 30 June | - | - | - |
The Government Legal Network memorandum account has been closed due to the permanent establishment of the Government Legal Network category from 1 July 2016.