Legal Responsibilities of Voluntary Organisations in New Zealand

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This information also appears as Brochure 3. Download a PDF copy (160kb).

Torts and criminal liability

A tort (or civil wrong) is where a person (or organisation) causes injury or damage (whether physical or monetary) to another person (or organisation), in breach of one of the legal duties that private citizens owe each other – for example, negligence or defamation. The remedy is usually monetary compensation.

Organisations are also subject to the criminal law. In particular, organisations should be aware of their potential criminal liability for criminal nuisance when organising events.

Volunteers working outside an organisational structure also need to be aware of their potential civil or criminal liability.

Answer the following questions to find out if your organisation meets or could meet the requirements for a trust or charitable trust board. If you answer any of the questions with “No” or “Unsure”, make it a priority to find out the relevant information as soon as possible.

Yes Unsure
/No
Do you know about the legal duties that private citizens owe to each other?

Learn more: Torts (civil wrongs) and criminal offences
Do you understand your organisation’s liability under the law of torts (civil wrongs) if damage is caused to others to whom you owe a duty (for example, negligence, nuisance or defamation)?

Learn more: Torts (civil wrongs) and criminal offences
When planning your organisation’s activities do you consider potential civil liability under the law of torts?

Learn more: Torts (civil wrongs) and criminal offences
Do you understand your organisation’s potential liability under the criminal law, in particular for criminal nuisance?

Learn more: Torts (civil wrongs) and criminal offences
When planning your organisation’s activities, do you consider your potential criminal liability?

Learn more: Torts (civil wrongs) and criminal offences

Remember to print this checklist out once you’ve completed it.