The New Zealand Bar Association is calling on the government to reconsider proposed legislation to prevent companies from being sued over damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
It said the overuse of retrospective legislation to remove existing rights or claims "creates a bigger more general uncertainty and unpredictability for citizens" than the uncertainty the government says its trying to remove.
This month, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced the government would amend climate laws to deal with "uncertainty in business confidence" created by a landmark case heading to the Supreme Court.
Climate activist Mike Smith was arguing major emitters including Z Energy and Fonterra, which collectively contributed about a third of New Zealand's emissions, had a legal duty to him and others in communities that were being damaged by the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Bar Association said if the government passed its legislation, it would prevent that case from being heard and decided.
