Source: Tertiary Education Commission
Headline: Public Defence Service changes finalised
5:00pm – 15 May 2025
The Public Defence Service (PDS) is releasing the final outcome of its change process following consultation with staff.
The proposal was announced on 3 March 2025, and staff had the opportunity to provide feedback until 1 May.
“We had a significant amount of feedback from across the PDS,” says Peter Hutchinson, Director, Public Defence Service.
Submissions were received from 94 individuals and 10 groups.
“We carefully considered this feedback and have made a number of changes to what was originally proposed as a result.”
“For example, noting the feedback regarding concerns over on-site support, legal secretary positions in local PDS offices will remain. In addition, while we will still establish two centralised legal secretary hubs, they will have a reduced number of legal support positions overall initially, and we will take a slower, more phased approach to establishing the hubs.”
Mr Hutchinson says they have also listened to feedback on proposed changes to the PDS Appeals Team and had made adjustments as a result.
“This change to the original proposal means the PDS will be at a similar senior court resourcing level as it was in 2022 and this will mean the reduction in senior court cases will be less than under the original proposal.”
Mr Hutchinson says proposed changes to the Duty Lawyer Service are being confirmed, including the loss of some management positions.
“While feedback from staff is acknowledged, we also note the extensive expertise of the PDS Duty Lawyer Supervisors that will remain with the PDS.”
The organisational realignment will result in a total of 23 PDS positions being disestablished, and 8.5 new positions being established. A number of internal reassignments are being offered, along with at least a further 12 lawyer positions in the future, funded from internal savings.
“I appreciate that this has been a stressful time for staff, and we appreciate their considered and comprehensive feedback.
“I believe these changes will enable the PDS to achieve its objective of enabling internal efficiencies and savings by increasing its cases each year, while continuing to deliver high quality legal services,” Mr Hutchison says.
About the PDS
- The PDS is an independent criminal law practice providing advice and representation to defendants who have legal aid in criminal cases.
- The PDS also oversees duty lawyer services in the courts where it operates.
- The PDS is the largest criminal law practice in New Zealand, with over 150 criminal defence lawyers in 10 offices across New Zealand.
ENDS