Family Court Review
In April 2011 the Government directed the Ministry of Justice to undertake a review of the Family Court.
The Family Court deals with families and children at highly stressful and sometimes risky times in their lives. It is vital it operates effectively so all involved can safely and securely move on with their lives.
The review’s aim is to ensure that the Court is sustainable, efficient, cost-effective, and responsive to those people who need access to its services – particularly children and vulnerable people. It will also ensure that the processes of the Family Court are straightforward and its decisions are fair, timely, and durable. The review's terms of reference are available here.
A consultation paper on the review has been released for public feedback. A high level summary of the consultation paper is also available to help inform your submission.
Background questions and answers about the review are available here. A reference group has also been set up to assist the Ministry of Justice with the review.
You can make a submission in writing or by email. To help write your submission, you can use the questions from the consultation paper if you wish. Feel free to answer only the questions relevant to you.
The Families Commission has collated a list of relevant reports and resources to support those who wish to make a submission. You can link to the Commission's web page here.
To support development of the consultation paper, a sample of 173 Care of Children Act cases and 88 Property Relationship Act case files was analysed. The data is summarised in the consultation paper and a separate Case File Sample paper.
Submissions close 29 February 2012.
Please send your submission to:
Review of the Family Court
Ministry of Justice
SX 10088
WELLINGTON 6140
Or email it to familycourtreview@justice.govt.nz
