Seminars on changes to the Family Court

The Ministry of Justice is hosting a series of overview seminars on the changes to the Family Court. These will be held throughout the country during November; the schedule is available here. This follows the passing of the Family Court Reform Bill into legislation.

The seminars will outline the scope and objectives of the legislation and give an overview of both out-of-court and in-court services. Each seminar will run for approximately 90 minutes, including time for questions. If you would like to attend, email familyjustice@justice.govt.nz providing:

• Your name
• Location of the seminar
• Date and session time
• Your family justice interest (e.g. law professor)

If you are unable to attend but would like an information pack, please send your details with a request for the pack to familyjustice@justice.govt.nz. For background information, including the final shape of the legislation following the submissions process, please see the Ministry of Justice website.

The New Zealand Centre for Human Rights Law, Policy and Practice will also host a seminar Access to Family Justice – The Challenges Ahead at the University of Auckland Faculty of Law on Tuesday 29 October, 4-6pm.

Speakers and topics include:

• No Family Justice for Children – how the family justice reforms will ignore children and young people’s concerns and deny them the right to be heard (Alison Cleland, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Auckland)

• Conciliating Justice – the pros and cons of conciliating child custody disputes (Dr Vivienne Elizabeth, Senior Lecturer, Sociology, University of Auckland)

• Family Violence – systemic rights and wrongs (Ruth Herbert, Director, The Impact Collective with Catriona MacLennan, Barrister)

• Family Dispute Resolution Providers – what everyone needs to know (Barbara McCulloch, Mediator, Conflict Coach and Trainer, Around the Table Solutionz Ltd)

• “Two’s Company, Three’s A Crowd” – Legal Services, Fixed Fees, and Family Legal Aid (Dianne Martin, Barrister)

• Panel Discussion: The speakers will be joined by Frances Joychild QC

Click to download profiles of the speakers.