What began as a controversy over a judge’s decision to leave a young Maori girl in the care of her Pakeha foster-parents has touched off an extraordinary judicial scandal that threatens to shake public confidence in the integrity of the courts. Allegations made by lawyer Tony Ellis implicate New Zealand’s two most senior judges in Read more
After nearly 20 years as a Family Court lawyer, Gareth Bodle is walking away. He says it’s partly because he’s tired of struggling with a broken system where he can’t make headway for his clients. In one case, Bodle’s client has been waiting for access to relationship property since 2014. These delays cause years of Read more
A United Nations (UN) women’s rights committee review found New Zealand’s Family Court is failing to address the “obstruction of justice” for domestic violence victims. The Family Court must make changes to ensure women and children are safe, the women’s rights committee says. The UN committee also says it regrets New Zealand had chosen not Read more
Children will be the biggest losers in a review of the Family Court which recommends that the court’s highly successful counselling service be cut. This is despite the government framing proposed changes as ‘putting children first’. Catholic Social Services counsellor Gail Teale says it is likely couples who want to separate will bypass the court Read more
Police statistics showing a drop in family violence offences don’t square with overloaded courts and the number of victims being treated at hospitals, the Principal Family Court Judge said. Judge Peter Boshier questioned police statistics which show recorded family violence offences reversed an upwards trend to drop by 3.1 per cent to 52,408 in 2010-11. Read more