Minister releases terms of reference for Family Court review

Justice Minister Simon Power has released the terms of reference for the review of the Family Court.

The Family Court is the second busiest court and last year dealt with 68,666 new applications.

“The review will look at how a piecemeal approach to family law reform has impacted on the efficiency of the court, as well as ensuring it is sustainable, cost effective, and responsive to the needs to those who use it and the taxpayers who pay for it,” Mr Power said.

Mr Power said that since July 2005 total Family Court expenditure has increased by 63 per cent (excluding judicial resourcing), from $83.9 million to $137.1 million. Total expenditure includes operational costs, professional services, and legal aid.

Mr Power said the terms of reference are sufficiently broad to allow a range of fundamental issues to be considered, including:

• The role of the State in family disputes.
• The purpose, role, and functions of the court.
• The role of professionals, including lawyers, psychologists, mediators, counsellors, and social workers in the court.
• The incentives to encourage people to resolve their relationship disputes outside of the court.

Mr Power said there will be an opportunity for the public to take part in the Family Court review, when a public consultation paper is released in September this year.

A full copy of the terms of reference are available at the link below: http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy/justice-system-improvements/family-cou...