New Zealand Family Court is NOT fit for purpose

New Zealand Family Court is NOT fit for purpose – Not an opinion – it is based on Facts

Unquestionably, the Family Court was criticized as being monocultural and not fit for purpose The Family Court proceedings are perceived as daunting, lengthy and expensive for many families. Many parents reported that they are treated unfairly and like criminals in the family court system. 

We have personally known many parents who have chosen to end their lives, because they haven’t had any support or guidance through the complex process of separation and dealing with the Family Court. Many have experienced severe mental health strain due to their involvement in the Family Court proceedings and their struggle to access to their children. Many parents we’ve known ended their lives or abandoned their children after despair. 

In 2008, a Principal Family Court Judge had called for more support and help for families going through the family court system . Also, another Judge had attacked the Family laws  which tended to alienate the parents, generally fathers, who had lost custody and the judge had highlighted that the family laws lacks in sophistication.

Additionally, the 2018/2019 findings of the independent panel who examined the 2014 changes of the family court were very concerning. First, the panel chairperson Ms. Noonan had called for an urgent change in the family court system and laws, also she mentioned that the current family court system “is not fit for purpose”, she also said that the same issues had been raised in 1987 and she was shocked that so little had changed and she heard from many people that they felt being treated as criminals in the family court. Many parents we’ve known ended their lives or abandoned their children after despair.