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.