Judith Collins: Family Dispute Resolution going ahead in Family Court reforms

Justice Minster Judith Collins said today that plans to implement the Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) mediation model will go ahead, as part of the Government's Family Court reforms.

The use of mediation has been criticised by domestic abuse advocates and the Green Party, as violence may be occurring which has not been picked up in an assessment, placing victim/survivors at risk.

The Government expects FDR to resolve about 4000 of over 26,000 care of children applications made to the Court annually.

Mediators will be required to produce a report detailing the outcome of the FDR session.

'Mediation, counselling still stand says Collins', Media release: Judith Collins, 28.07.2013

Media:

'Lawyers fight cuts to legal aid', Bay of Plenty Times, 16.08.2013

Background information:

Information on the Ministry of Justice website– Family Court review

Report by the Parliamentary Justice and Electoral Committee, 4 June 2013

Selection of previous Clearinghouse news stories (most recent first):

Some Family Court reform changes; silence on Bristol clause and FDR fees (April 2013)

Backdown on some Family Court reforms; rethink needs to go further (April 2013)

Opposition to Family Court reforms at Select Committee hearings (March 2013)

Submissions called on Family Court reform legislation (December 2012)

Criticisms of Family Court reforms continue; legal aid charges for family cases reduced (October 2012)

Silent Injustice: Women's Experiences of the Family Court (October 2012)

Proposed Family Court changes - information from NZ Law Society (October 2012)

Family Court reforms announced; family violence sector responds (August 2012)

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