A message from Mangere Community Law Centre:
The Family Court is under review. This IS relevant to you! The Family Court deals with a range of things that seriously affect our community, including: domestic violence, parenting, adoptions, wills and divorce. The proposed changes are significant and now is the time to speak out if you don’t agree with them – in part or full. Submissions close 13 February 2013 so don’t put it off.
The 5 major changes that the Mangere Community Law Centre are concerned about are:
- Cost of $897 for mandatory dispute resolution will have to be paid for by the parties – this will be compulsory before a matter can go to Court.
- NO lawyers allowed unless the matter involves violence, urgency etc.
- Lawyer for child will rarely be appointed.
- Free Court counselling will be limited.
- No interim orders – parties won’t have a chance to trial arrangements to see if they can work.
Submissions can be in any format – even a simple letter. Click the link below to open the template from Mangere Community Law Centre that you can use to get started and get your thoughts heard!
Family Court Review Submission Template from Mangere Community Law Centre
You can also check out these websites for more information: http://childrenneedavoice.com/ and http://www.familylaw.org.nz/
You can read the Bill at: http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Legislation/Bills/5/4/2/00DBHOH_BILL11914_1-Family-Court-Proceedings-Reform-Bill.htm