The new Crimes Decree takes effect from today.

Computer hacking, the procurement of prostitution services and certain court reporting styles are new offences under the decree amongst others.

The offences relating to court proceedings are clearly stated in the Crimes Decree saying that people would commit an offence if they show disrespect, in speech or manner, to or reference to court proceedings or any person before whom such proceeding is taken.

It is also highlighted in the decree that a person commits an offence if he or she makes use of any speech or writing willfully and maliciously misrepresents a court proceeding while the case is pending before the courts.

This will be based on whether the action is capable of prejudicing any person in favour of or against any parties to such proceeding, or calculated to lower the authority of any person before whom such proceeding is being had or taken.

This also applies to the media speaking to people about a case outside the court room while the proceeding is underway and then printing or broadcasting the comments.

Under the decree it will also be an offence to cause an obstruction or disturbance in the course of a judicial proceeding.

The penalty for the offence is 3 months imprisonment.

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum earlier said the decree will include the provisions related to corruption, rape where there would no longer have the old rule of collaboration is respect of rape, no longer also would the sexual history of a woman alleging rape be used in court and there would now be recognition of the condition of the mental health of a woman standing trial for abortion or infanticide.

Sayed-Khaiyum said this decree and its offences were all part of modernizing Fiji's criminal justice system.