Petition · Ministry of Justice
Remove or extend the 6 month time limit on prosecution for summary offences
Closed
602 signatures
What the petition asks
Currently, summary offences must be laid before a court within six months of the offence. Once that time passes, no matter the evidence or the harm, justice is simply gone, and legal action cannot be taken. A review of this rule is urgently needed.
We think the law surrounding summary offences lacks clarity, and the six month statutory time limit is deeply unjust. Victims and families deserve justice, regardless of how long it takes for evidence or offenders to come to light. This cut off silences victims and protects offenders. It sends the wrong message, a frightening one, that if offenders evade detection for long enough, they can walk away free. Victims deserve better. Families deserve better. Justice shouldn't expire.
Timeline
| 20 Oct 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 Apr 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
602
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
20 Oct 2025
Closed
20 Apr 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 3 Aug 2026.