Richards v Attorney-General - [2025] NZHC 2833

Application for judicial review and declaratory judgment in respect of decisions made by Cabinet establishing a redress scheme for survivors of torture of the Child and Adolescent Unit of Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital. The application is brought on the grounds that the redress scheme does not comply with s 9 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, nor New Zealand's obligations under international law. Applicant says the redress scheme should be set aside, and declarations made as to its non-compliance. The High Court found that the international instruments advanced by the applicant are not binding legal frameworks against which the Cabinet decisions can be measured. Application dismissed.