Justice Minister Judith Collins has backtracked on a law change that would have ensured compensation for ill-treatment of prisoners by the state was used to benefit victims rather than being given to the inmates.

Ministry of Justice phone lines were overloaded today after thousands of people were mistakenly told to contact the ministry "ASAP''.

C K Stead explains why he is not surprised that Judith Collins ordered a review of the Binnie report on the Bain case.

What are those of us - I assume a large majority - who do not have time to read the Binnie Report to make of David Bain's compensation claim and the legal tangle that Justice Minister Judith Collins has got herself into?

Around 12 months ago, the Government, led by Prime Minister John Key, appointed former Canadian Supreme Court judge Ian Binnie to advise on David Bain's compensation claim.

Peter Dunne said in a Twitter post today David Bain should be compensated, and called the police comments on judge Ian Binnie's report 'inappropriate'.

The public's confidence in the judicial system is at stake in the David Bain compensation case, says Justice Minister Judith Collins.

Police last night rejected damning criticism of their handling of the David Bain case, as it was revealed failures in the original investigation were behind the recommendation that compensation be paid.

A report on David Bain's application for compensation said it should be awarded, but a peer review says the report is flawed and would not withstand scrutiny.

The untimely death of top lawyer Greg King has focused attention on one of society's most unpopular jobs. Jared Savage examines the case for the defence.

Humane initiatives in privately-run British prisons, such as inmates spending a day with their kids, have caught the eye of Corrections Minister Anne Tolley.

Editorial: A financial penalty can bring as much public dishonour as a criminal conviction for an offending company or individual, and so it should.

When people post deliberately extreme comments from the anonymity of cyberspace, the effects can be devastating - and sometimes fatal.

The continuing obstinacy of courts, police and government is thankfully no match for the determination of Joe Karam, writes Sir Bob Jones.

For Justice Helen Winkelmann, the justice system is already open and responsive to criticism.